Natasha Bharadwaj Reprises Dr. Diya Parekh in Mumbai Diaries Season 2, Talks About the Challenges of Filming and Her Character's Growth

In Mumbai Diaries Season 2, which is being helmed by Nikkhil Advani, Natasha Bharadwaj, who previously played Dr. Diya Parekh in the JioCinema series Ishq Next Door earlier this year, reprises the part. The actress spoke with us about the character that brought her widespread praise following Season 1 and the difficult filming of Mumbai Diaries Season 2, which is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

Given everything she went through in Season 1 of Mumbai Diaries, was it challenging to portray Dr. Diya Parekh again?

Natasha Bharadwaj: As an actor, I think I live for the opportunities to play people who are extremely complex. I gave Dr. Diya's complicated persona skeleton, flesh, blood, and life. Season 2 presented difficulties because the character remained the same, despite the fact that people constantly develop and change.

My fictional creations become close pals. Both the director and I had a certain Dr. Diya in mind when we discussed this. I was happy because Nikkhil Advani, my director, and I agreed on everything.

What difficulties did Season 2's filming present? Flood, crowds, and pandemonium are present.

Natasha Bharadwaj: It was both really difficult and enjoyable. Working in the water is not simple, to start with. At least ankle-deep water was always around us. When you have to stay wet all the time, the difficulty level increases. How frequently can you change your attire or shoes? Since the show was about a flood and rain, we had to get used to getting wet all the time.

It has been kept very authentic by Nikkhil sir. Even if you can only see rain through a small window, it is still rain. There is no VFX rain. It was difficult to align Dr. Diya's emotional graph as well. I believe I made it home since Nikkhil Sir was pleased with it.

What type of feedback have you had so far about Season 2 of Mumbai Diaries?

Natasha Bharadwaj: I've had some incredible replies. This time, everyone calling me is doing so with a sorrowful heart, so the calls I'm receiving are extremely different. They had no idea what to anticipate from Season 2. When the trailer was released, they then learned that it was about the floods. People have now viewed and enjoyed the series. Dr. Diya Parekh's character, which was very different from how she appeared in Season 1, was adored by the audience.

She is managing her anxiety and despair better in Season 2. She attends counseling. She doesn't continually take medicines. She has experienced a really traumatic event like losing her mother. Diya puts the pieces back together and gets stronger. Her father and daughter's connection is currently being repaired. She also takes care of a patient with identity problems, for whom I have a lot of love.

I'm pleased to have played a role that a lot of people could identify with and empathize with. I'm glad the program is succeeding and that everyone involved is being valued.

What effects did filming Mumbai Diaries have on you personally and as an actor?

On the Mumbai Diaries set, there is organized mayhem, according to Natasha Bharadwaj. Every scene is thought out. In addition to the actors, there are 150–200 extras, which adds to the complexity. Because it looks dismal when it rains, the entire show has an extremely dark color scheme. The camera crew decided on it voluntarily. Therefore, for us actors, hitting the perfect spot to capture the light from where it was coming was crucial; otherwise, the take couldn't be used.

The show has a lot of one-shots. A seven-minute shot is available. I have to be extremely conscious and prepared since I'm an actress. I felt quite guilty since I shouldn't have caused them to have to repeat the take. My experience working on Mumbai Diaries was master class-level.

It's pretty intriguing how your character and the show's character played by Mohit Raina are related.

I'm quite relaxed with Mohit, says Natasha Bharadwaj. After a certain point, the track is entirely outside the hospital with Dr. Kaushik's wife Ananya (Tina Desai), who is expecting a kid, so Dr. Diya has a lot to deal with. We did a lot of things together in Season 1, but in Season 2, he travels more with his wife who is expecting. Mohit is a really cool and enjoyable friend to be around. I like what he did. We support one another constantly.

Was there a scene you were afraid to perform?

Natasha Bharadwaj: Near the end of the program, I was in a scene with Kalyanee Mulay and Jaimini Pathak. I recall telling Nikkhil sir when I first read the script that I was dreading that part and had no idea how I was going to pull it off. 'Don't worry, we'll work it out,' he assured them. And everything was just flowing when that day finally arrived and I arrived on set. It felt natural because Kalyanee and Jamini were a part of that situation. Nikkhil sir showed great tact by bringing an intimacy coach to the set so that we could handle gender identity concerns more delicately.

How did you relax following such a difficult journey?

Natasha Bharadwaj: I'm delighted that you inquired. The shooting was quite stressful. After returning home from a day of filming for Season 2, I would stir in my sleep and perform takes. In my sleep, I have performed entire sequences. I didn't remember it, but my mother would tell me about it in the morning. Even after I left the set, the character and the program were still a big part of who I was.

I had to take a few days off following the production since I had immersed myself in the role physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

The easiest method for me to relax is to ride a horse. I find that being in nature cures me. So I went horseback riding as my first action.

Which recent television shows or movies did you particularly enjoy?

Natasha Bharadwaj: I really liked Scoop on Netflix and Farzi on Amazon Prime Video. It's wonderful, and I'm currently watching Ted Lasso on Apple TV. Furthermore, I am watching Normal People. I had just begun to watch Guns & Gulaabs when the Mumbai Diaries advertisements began. I'll soon be done watching it.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.