Gorgeous TV host and actress Shelly Mishra is a versatile personality. Yet, it took her five years to get a break in the entertainment world. First,she was signed up for hosting devotional shows. After that, there was no looking back for Shelly. Her performances both in soaps and films have won her a lot of popularity. As a host, she is warm, witty and spontaneous. In a candid conversation with Orissa POST, she talks about the difficulties she encountered in her efforts to make a mark in the Odia television industry in the absence of a godfather.
Hailing from Dhenkanal, Shelly has loved acting since her early childhood. However, being born in a conservative family, she could not tell anybody about her love for acting. After her marriage at the age of 22, it was her husband Saswat Mishra, an IAS officer, who discovered her hidden talent and provided the much-needed support that allowed her to make her debut in tinsel town. “I literally breathe acting,” Shelly says. “Though I could not express my wish to my parents, my husband discovered my fervent wish to be an actor. Thanks to his unconditional support, I made up my mind to try my hand at acting. Initially I faced rejection so many times. As I was from a non-filmy background, I had to struggle hard to prove my acting prowess. I still remember the day when I was selected to play the lead character in a TV soap after an audition. I also signed an agreement with the concerned agency. After two days, I got to know that another actress had been roped in for the role. It really hurt a lot. I went into depression. However, my husband encouraged me to keep trying till I succeeded. So,I did not give up.”
Shelly’s persistent efforts hit success when she was given the opportunity to host astrological shows on TV such as Bhagyaphala, Samasya Ra Samadhan and Sarve Bhabantu Sukhina. That apart, she anchored shows like Jagruti and Krushi Darshan on Doordarshan. Her anchoring skill was lauded by director Subasis Pati, who offered her a small role in the movie Gadbad. It was highly appreciated by film critics. That was how she got her break in filmdom.
“Though my role in the movie Gadbad was a small one, it was appreciated by the critics. And it opened the way to Odia tele soaps. I appeared in several soaps like Rajaniti, Sindura Bindu, Tupur Tapar and To Pain Mu. My characters in Tupur Tapar and To Pain Mu, aired on Colours Odia and Zee Sarthak, made me famous. I played the hero’s elder sister in TupurTapar. In the soap, though I had reached marriageable age, I was not married. My father was not happy with the boy with whom I wanted to tie the knot. In one scene, my father scolds me a lot for not forgetting my love. That scene was so emotion-laden that I started crying without the help of glycerin.”
She continues: “I play a negative character Jhansi in To Pain Mu. When I got the offer, I thought of saying no to the role. I then thought that I would not be able to prove my versatility if I played the same sort of characters again and again. I took the risk and said yes to the offer. And, to my utter surprise, my character won accolades for me. I am enjoying playing the character of an antagonist. Besides, my role in movies like Pila Ta Bigidi Gala and Gunda— in which I essay the character of Odia superstar Siddhant Mohapatra’s sister — won me kudos from cinemagoers.”
Shelly, who has been felicitated with the best newcomer award, says, “I feel anchoring is even more challenging than acting. The schedule is gruelling and you have to constantly re-invent your lines as the show continues. I remember my first experience of anchoring. When I reached the office of Kamyab channel to anchor a music show, I was handed over a one-page script. I read it three times and prepared for the show. When the camera turned on me, I started trembling with nervousness. I failed to utter a single word even after several takes. Anchoring is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, with sheer determination and hard work, I proved myself as one of the best hosts.”
Apart from her husband, Shelly Mishra attributes her success to her in-laws. “My husband’s constant support helped me achieve stardom in the television industry. I also owe my success to my in-laws. They always encouraged me to do my bit honestly and from the core of my heart. My in-laws are art lovers. My mother-in-law is very good at playing the keyboard. When everyone supports you, you never look back in your life.”
RASHMI REKHA DAS, OP