The exclusion of new comer Praneeta Sahu owing to health problems has opened the doors for new comer Shubhangi Atre who will seen as the new lead of the Star biggie 'Kasturi'.

Q: How are you feeling about being the new leading lady of a big Balaji show?
A: I'm so excited. I really cannot believe it has happened. It was only last night that I received the call from Balaji about being selected for the role.

Q: Is this your first television venture?
A: No, it is not my first television venture. I am playing the character called Palchin in 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay'. But yes this is my first lead role.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I'm originally from Indore. I have done my MBA. I'm a trained Kathak dancer. But I have no formal training in acting and neither have I done any theatre.

Q: How did you land up in acting?
A: As I told you since I was a dancer, I got a few advertisement offers which I did. After that one of my photographer friends told me that there were auditions in Pune for Balaji. He advised me to give it a try. I gave the audition for Kasturi but I was given a role in 'Kasautii...' It was only last night that I was told that I had been selected to play the lead in 'Kasturi'.

Q: Tell us about Kasturi.
A: Kasturi is a sweet innocent girl who belongs to a middle class family. Her parents are everything for her. She is also an ambitious person in life but does not forget her traditions. The story revolves around her family and her dreams.

Q: So what are the similarities between Shubhangi and Kasturi?
A: I also belong to a middle class family and also I'm ambitious in life. I have three sisters and I'm close to my family. So there are a lot of similarities between Shubhangi and Kasturi.

Q: So will it make it easier for you to play Kasturi?
A: I really do not know. I can only give it my best shot. Let us see what happens. I might come to know after I start shooting. Till then, I can only pray that all goes well.

Q: Are you excited or nervous?
A: I'm excited as well as nervous. I am excited because I have got a lead role and nervous because it adds up to my responsibilities.

Q: What kind of roles do you think can be your forte?
A: Well I would like to do different kinds of role with different shades. Anyways it is too early in my career to say what I'm capable of doing.

Q: Are you prepared for the work pressure?
A: Yes, I know it is a lot of responsibility playing a lead role. I also know that there are going to be a lot of hectic schedules. But I think I am prepared to handle it.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A: Five years is a long time. I cannot tell you this, because I myself do not know what is going to happen in the next five years. I have not planned anything too. So I'm clueless.

Q: How would you plan to stand out amongst all the other leading ladies of the television industry?
A: I think the other leading ladies in the industry are independent and portray strong characters. My character also has the same qualities but my story is different. - Mili S (SAMPURN)