हर्षिता गौर बोलीं- ‘मिर्जापुर’ ने पहचान दी: एक साल काम नहीं मिला तो डिप्रेशन में गईं; अल्लू अर्जुन की तारीफ ने बढ़ाया हौसला

The character of ‘Dimpy’ made Harshita Gaur a household name.

‘Mirzapur’s Dimpy i.e. Harshita Gaur has been recognized among the audience for a long time. After ‘Sadda Haq’ he did not get work for about a year. During this period, even she herself did not know that she was going through depression. Acting workshops helped him to get out of this. ‘Mirzapur’ gave a new identity to her career and now she will be seen on the big screen through the film. While talking to Dainik Bhaskar, Harshita shared the ups and downs of her career, lockdown, learning to identify herself and the story of her special meeting with Allu Arjun in 2022.

Question: After ‘Sadda Haq’, which was the most difficult phase in your career?

Answer: After ‘Sadda Haq’ ended, I had no work for about a year. The show ran for three years and I thought that now I will work in films. But getting work was not easy. The first one or two months were spent travelling. After that, it is very difficult for an actor to live without work in Mumbai. At that time I went into depression.

Question: At that time did you know that you were going into depression?

Answer: No, I did not realize it at that time. Later, when I came to know about the symptoms of depression, looking back I realized that the same thing was happening with me. I used to live in a house in Mumbai only. One day the neighbor aunty came and said that she had not been seen for a long time. Even then I was not able to tell anyone properly what was happening to me.

Acting workshop helped Harshita Gaur to overcome difficult times.

Question: Then how did you come out of this phase?

Answer: I did an acting workshop on the suggestion of Atul Mangia. Even today I consider him my guru. He improved me as an actor and I think he even saved me. That experience was therapeutic for me. After that I realized that if you feel like this, you can also talk to a therapist. At that time I did not know much about mental health or depression.

Question: When did ‘Mirzapur’ come into your career?

Answer: I started doing ‘Mirzapur’ from October 2017. Before that I had done an acting workshop. This proved to be a huge turning point for me. The show brought me to the people and the character of Dimpy gave me a different identity.

Question: How much benefit did you get in future because of ‘Mirzapur’?

Answer: It was very beneficial. The work of ‘Jehanabad’ also got somewhere because of ‘Mirzapur’. South film ‘Falaknuma Das’ was also found. When people have seen you in some work, their trust increases. ‘Mirzapur’ helped a lot in building this confidence in my career.

Question: Why couldn’t you work further there after the South film?

Answer: ‘Falaknuma Das’ was released in 2019. After that I wanted to work more there, but two consecutive lockdowns came. I could not go back there. Otherwise I wanted to do more work in the South.

Question: How was the lockdown period for you?

Answer: I spent the first lockdown with my neighbor uncle and aunt in Mumbai. They have two houses and their family-like atmosphere has always been good for me. We lived, ate and spent time together. So I didn’t feel lonely.

Question: In 2022, there came a time again when you felt whether acting was the right decision or not?

Answer: Yes, in 2022 I was going through difficult times both personally and professionally. It seemed like I should have done it by now, but things weren’t going that way. I wondered if I should do something else? Are you getting or will you get enough opportunities in acting? Should I change myself? At that time I was a little shaken.

Allu Arjun’s praise boosted Harshita’s wavering confidence again.

Question: Then what happened that brought your confidence back?

Answer: For me it was the meeting with Allu Arjun. I was in Goa and he was with his family. He saw me and came closer and talked to me. He talked about ‘Mirzapur’ and my character and also praised my screen presence. I felt very pleased, because I didn’t even know him personally.

Question: Did you meet him again after this?

Answer: Yes, a few days later on 31st December I bumped into him again. He was with his family and I was with friends. The new year was about to start, then we wished each other. He then talked about my character and the show and told me that you have more work to do, there is still a long way for you.

Question: How much impact did his words have on you?

Answer: He has no idea how much motivation that small thing of his gave to a demotivated person. The next day i.e. 1st January I felt that this was a signal from the Universe. He did not know me, I had no common link with him and I had not even worked in any of his films. Still he praised my work and asked me to move ahead. This thing is with me till today.

Question: Ever felt that you should have exchanged numbers with him?

Answer: Now whatever has happened, has happened. I don’t even have a photo with him. But I believe that if the universe had introduced them at that time, it would probably introduce them again too. Even today I wish to meet him and tell him how much that one thing of his had affected me.

Question: What has been your biggest success in this entire journey?

Answer: Identifying yourself. For me, personal growth is the biggest success. While in this field, I understood who I am, what my strengths, weaknesses and patterns are and what I bring to my work.

For Harshita, recognizing herself is the biggest success of her career.

Question: What has been the biggest challenge in all these years?

Answer: Striking a balance between your expectations and reality. We start from A and want to get to Z. Reaching B, C or D feels like you haven’t reached Z yet. We forget that it started with A. The biggest challenge for me was to recognize my progress and understand its importance.

Question: What is the biggest lesson you learned from the ups and downs of your career?

Answer: Now I feel that hard work is in our hands, but when and how much we will get its fruits, it is not in our hands. Therefore, why worry about what is not in our hands? Choose your path, keep working hard and keep moving forward. Now I have started enjoying everything.

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Also read this interview of Harshita Gaur..

Harshita Gaur had earlier rejected ‘Mirzapur’: She reached Excel office in the hope that Farhan Akhtar would notice her and make her a heroine.

Harshita Gaur, who became a household name by playing the character of Dimpy Pandit in ‘Mirzapur’, will now be seen in ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’. Interestingly, he had initially refused to do the series which gave him recognition. At that time the era of OTT was new and Harshita had played the lead character on TV. She felt that why should she play the role of someone’s sister?.Read the full interview..