Indira Krishnan Talks About Her Role as Paani Bai, Inspiration from Shabana Azmi, and More!
Indira Krishnan, known for her impressive work in both films and television, is currently playing the negative character Paani Bai in the show Durga. In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, she opened up about her role, comparisons with Supriya Pathak’s character in Ram Leela, and how Shabana Azmi has inspired her.
How would you describe Paani Bai?
Paani Bai is a bold and skilled character. She’s raw and down-to-earth in everything she does.
Do you see any similarity between Paani Bai and Dhankor (Supriya Pathak’s role)?
Not really. Supriya Ji did an amazing job as Dhankor, and while our characters might look a bit similar because of the Bindi and accessories, Paani Bai is different. I drew a lot of inspiration from Shabana Azmi’s role in Godmother. I watched that movie three or four times to study how powerful she was without needing a big physical presence. Paani Bai has a playful side, too—she can be a bit mischievous, with a teasing smile and tone. I’ve added more variety to her character than what we saw with Dhankor.
What’s it like working with Pranali Rathod and Aashay Mishra?
They are both really talented. Pranali is so sweet, and her chemistry with me on the show is fantastic. Fans love our dynamic, and I get tons of messages every day about it. Aashay is also a lot of fun—he sings and plays the guitar on set!
What differences do you notice between working in TV and film?
There’s a big difference. I’m grateful to television because it’s given me great opportunities to grow as an actor. In films, you work with bigger names and have more time to perfect a character, like in the Ramayana movie I’m doing with Ranbir Kapoor, where I play Kaushalya. On TV, everything moves faster, and you have to master your role quickly. But television allows you to play bigger, more complex characters too.
Is it hard for you to switch between roles?
Before I start playing a new character, I do a lot of homework. I observe how people walk, talk, and behave, and I take notes. I always keep a pen and jot down anything I find useful. Preparation is key for me, especially on TV.
For those who don’t know, Indira Krishnan has also played Rashmika Mandanna’s mother in Animal and appeared in movies like Holiday, Tere Naam, and Chatur Singh Two Star. On TV, she’s known for her roles in Krishnaben Khakhrawala, Yeh Hai Chahatein, and Dhruv Tara. You can catch her in Durga, airing every day at 7:40 PM on Colors TV and Jio Cinema.
Also Read: Palak Tiwari’s Ganpati Celebrations: Inside Pics with Shweta Tiwari & Reyaansh
