Mumbai, Nov 4 (IANS): Actress Mona Lisa is all set to embrace a new phase in her acting journey with the short drama Zindagi Ka U-Turn, which she describes as a defining moment in her career.
Reflecting on her experience, the actress shared, “I had been wanting to do a vertical series for a while, so when the opportunity came, I instantly said yes. I hadn’t explored this format before, and I truly believe it’s the next big trend. Everyone has a mobile phone now, and people love watching quick, engaging stories while travelling or during their breaks.”
Calling short-format dramas “fascinating,” Mona Lisa added, “They grab your attention instantly. I personally enjoy watching them too!”
In the upcoming Pocket TV series, Mona Lisa portrays Sonam Verma, an ambitious and confident woman at the peak of her career — someone who commands every room she enters. The story revolves around a middle-aged street vendor whose life spirals after his wife’s betrayal, only for fate to turn dramatically when he unexpectedly inherits a billion-dollar empire.
“This project truly felt like a turning point for me,” she said. “Not only because I got to play such a different character, but also because the storyline is so gripping. Even if viewers watch it for just 30 or 60 seconds, I’m sure they’ll be hooked — it’s full of surprises and emotional twists.”
Mona Lisa added that everything about the project came together effortlessly. “After doing films, TV serials, and reality shows, this felt like stepping into an entirely new genre. The five-day shoot was incredibly memorable — first experiences always are.”
Discussing her character, she explained, “Throughout my career, I’ve always tried to take on diverse roles. When I moved to television, I explored completely different genres, including supernatural stories. But this role was unlike anything I’ve done before. Sonam is arrogant and has a strained relationship with her husband. While performing, I often thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m nothing like her in real life!’ But that’s the beauty of acting — living lives that are worlds apart from your own.”
Praising her team, Mona Lisa said, “My director and creative team guided me beautifully through every detail. Later, they even told me they hadn’t expected me to bring such conviction to the role, especially since it’s so different from who I am. That was a huge compliment.”
On preparing for the part, she revealed, “The biggest challenge was to embody Sonam’s arrogance and dominating nature, especially in her interactions with her husband. During script readings, my director Naveen ji helped me shape her tone — loud, assertive, and unapologetic. I built that persona in my mind and practised her attitude.”
Speaking about her co-star Ruslaan Mumtaz, who plays her husband Raghav, she said, “Ruslaan’s character is simple and grounded, while mine is sophisticated and controlling. That contrast really helped me bring out the dynamics of their relationship. The script itself was so strong that my performance felt natural and effortless.”
“Overall, this project has given me something truly new to explore. I’m super excited and super happy with how it turned out,” Mona Lisa concluded.
