Actress Gazal Sood, who has been part of some popular television shows and web series before, recently joined &TV’s gharelu comedy “Happu Ki Ultan Paltan”. The actress is essaying the role of Kat, a ditsy yet sweet and happy-go-lucky girl who struggles to speak fluent English and earns the ire of people around her who do not understand what she is saying. In a candid interview with us, the actress talks about her character and how much she enjoys doing comedy.
- What do you enjoy most about playing Kat in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan?
The show Happu Ki Ultan Paltan has been my favourite. I particularly like most of the characters and the typical nok-jhok between them. Speaking of Kat’s character, I have found her amusing and quite entertaining. The way Kat’s character struggles to talk in English has always left me in splits, and I could not be happier to play the character myself. I am grateful to the makers for allowing me to improvise and add my flavour to the character. Hence, I am enjoying the entire process of playing Kat. - How did you bag the role?
My family loves the show, and I have watched many episodes with them. I got a call from production a few months ago requesting an audition video for the role of Kate Singh. More than I, my family was excited about this. I made sure to give my best performance in the audition, and because of my family’s best wishes and God’s blessing, I was immediately selected for the part. I was on cloud nine to learn that the casting team did not run through any other auditions and chose me to play Katori Singh (Kat). - How much do you enjoy doing comedy?
Comedy is one of my favourite genres, as it offers true entertainment that puts smiles on viewers’ faces. I have done five comedy shows and feel that comedy is my forte. I am more inclined towards comedy because there is much more to explore as an actor. Making the audience laugh is one of the performers’ most difficult tasks. And I feel glad that I am being able to do that. Happu Ki Ultan Paltan has given the audience a much-needed dose of laughter for the last four years, and I feel blessed to join them this time. - Tell us about your journey of becoming an actor
During my school days, I used to participate in all the dramas. I was always a big nautanki (laughs). And in my college years, I enrolled myself in theatre since I was passionate about becoming an actor. I remember rehearsing for eight hours daily along with my studies as I was focused on acting. After completing my studies, like many other actors, I came down to Mumbai with big dreams and no support in the industry. Initially, I started doing small cameos where I was hardly seen and paid. I remember getting 300 rupees after shooting for one of the shows for the entire day. But slowly, I got a hold of it and have been part of some popular shows and web series. It’s been five years in the industry, but I feel my journey has just begun. - What was your family’s reaction to your decision to pursue acting professionally?
My family was not very happy with my decision. Like many other parents, they wanted me to get a stable job. To convince me of the same, they did not speak to me for two months after I told them that I was moving to Mumbai to become an actor. Later, my mother came to me and said you could go to Mumbai if you find a job first. I started looking for various job options and became a sales manager at Mumbai’s Club. After my first break in the industry, my parents finally got convinced. They started supporting me in my career. Along with that, I used to give auditions for shows. They have high hopes, and I am working hard for them.
Catch Gazal Sood as Kat in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan every Monday to Friday at 10 PM only on &TV!
