EXCLUSIVE: Sayli Salunkhe Talks About Her First Mythological Show ‘Veer Hanuman,’ Her Role, and Preparations
Popular TV actress Sayli Salunkhe is stepping into a new genre as she takes on a role in a mythological serial for the first time. She will be playing Anjani Maa, the mother of Lord Hanuman, in the upcoming show Veer Hanuman. Ahead of the show’s premiere, Sayli opens up about her character, how she prepared for the role, and more.
Sayli on Playing Anjani Maa
Talking about her role, Sayli shares,
“We all know about Anjani Putra Hanuman. But how did Anjani Maa raise Hanuman? How did he become the great Hanuman we worship today? A child’s upbringing shapes who they become, and that’s what we will show in the serial.”
She further explains,
“Anjani Maa was an apsara, but she was ready to give up her immortality for her child. Even before Hanuman was born, she knew she would have to make sacrifices. This show will reveal many things that people don’t know about Hanuman Ji, Kesari, and Anjani Maa.”
What Attracted Sayli to the Role?
Sayli reveals that she never thought she would do a mythological show.
“As an actor and performer, I always want to learn new things. When this opportunity came to me, I thought, ‘Let’s grab it!’ I never imagined I would be part of mythology.”
She shares an interesting story about how she was cast,
“I was shooting for another show when the makers of ‘Veer Hanuman’ saw me. They immediately felt I was perfect for Anjani Maa. At first, I was confused. But my parents convinced me, saying I would learn a lot from this experience. They even said, ‘Maybe Lord Hanuman himself chose you for this role!’ That’s when I decided to go for it.”
How Sayli Prepared for the Role
Sayli admits that working in a mythological show was a completely new world for her.
“First, I had to learn how these characters behave, speak, and carry themselves. I spoke to the production team and started watching mythological shows to understand the body language.”
She also wanted to make sure her portrayal felt real,
“I didn’t want to look like a 26-27-year-old girl pretending to be a mother. Anjani Maa is a mature woman, so I have been working on adopting the right posture and expressions to bring authenticity to my performance.”
Do Mythological Shows Still Connect With Audiences?
Sayli believes that mythological shows can still resonate with modern viewers, but they need to be told in a relatable way.
“The makers know that we can’t portray things the old way anymore. The audience will only connect if the story feels relevant to their lives. That’s why this show has a simple language that people will enjoy.”
Sayli on Comparisons With Old Versions of Hanuman Shows
In the late 90s, the show Jai Veer Hanuman was a big hit. When asked if she feels pressure to match that success, Sayli confidently says,
“You can’t copy someone else’s performance. Every actor has their own way of portraying a character. I won’t watch the old show—I will rely on books and my own research. I want people to see Sayli’s version of Anjani Maa, not a copy of someone else’s work.”
With Veer Hanuman set to premiere soon, Sayli is excited for audiences to see her in this new avatar!
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