Samiksha Bhatnagar “I Am Glad That Playing The National Anthem Is Now Optional”

TV actress Samiksha Bhatnagar was recently seen in the feature film Poster Boys, after having enthralled her fans with her performance in various TV serials. Pretty Samiksha Bhatnagar opens up about how ecstatic she is with the response to the film and her experience of having worked with Bobby Deol and Shreyas Talpade.

Your birthday was on 12th January. Do you feel age is just a number? Please share.
As I celebrate my birthday today, I am immediately overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude to the Almighty. Over the last year, there have been many major changes that have happened in my life. Some good, some not so good. But, they have brought me to a place where I earn for simplicity. I have always been a simplistic soul in the making. I just didn’t know how awesome it would feel when I actually simplified EVERYTHING! To be simple and thankful together, is a sure shot recipe for inner happiness to me this B’day.

Which has been your most memorable birthday so far?
When I was turning 13, and my older brother threw a wonderful surprise party for me. All my friends from school were there. We ate Chinese food, drank Coke and danced a lot. There was a cake with candles and ice cream. Everyone brought me presents. It was magical, and I got a special gift a bicycle from my father which is still closest to my heart. The birthday was special, fun and the biggest high ever!

What did you gift yourself this birthday?
I’m gifting myself a leotard & pointe (Ballet) Shoes as I begin to learn the nuances of Ballet Dance or Ballerina. No matter what your dance focus, you need to know your body. I really like the structured, methodical approach to ballet training encourages me to learn about anatomy and my own strengths and weaknesses.

What are your unfulfilled wishes now in life? Please share.
I like to put it in these terms: Believing is helpful while wishing leaves you helpless. Now, this isn’t just semantics. Some feelings cannot be expressed in mere words; they require actions to speak for them. So I believe this year is going to Action packed.

Has anyone ever done something extra special for you for your birthday?
Extra special Birthday on the sets of Peterson Hill & Veera with the team, came out of surprise.

Did you pamper yourself on your birthday?
As I was busy shooting for my next movie based on a real-life incident.as usual I had only a small get together with family and close friends who pampered me over weekend trekking near Pune.

You last appeared also in the feature film Poster Boys! How happy are you with the response to the film from your TV fans?
I am happy that Poster Boys has got justice from television viewers Poster Boy was released with the Deol Brothers Sunny and Bobby and was directed by actor Shreyas Talpade. I played Bobby’s wife Surajmukhi. Despite the impressive star cast and a good story, the film did not got a great response at the box office. But recently a survey by a leading trade publication reveals that Poster Boys has the 12th highest rating of the year on television. It has emerged as a surprise hit on television with impressions on its first showing beating films like Raees and Baadshaho.

Go on!
I can’t express my emotions after coming to know about this. It gives me immense pleasure and happiness. I consider this film as God’s gift to me. When the auditions were going on, I was not aware. Then someone called me and asked me to go for the audition and after that within a few days I got the role of Surajmukhi. After the release of the film, it has got very good response from people but somehow that was not transferred into the box office collection. I am ecstatic. that Poster Boys has got justice from television viewers.”

What has been your fondest memory of the film?
I would say the film was Bobby’s comeback film, Shreyas’s debut film as a director so indeed it was a special one. From day one Bobby and I gelled well and that was needed for our characters. Shreyas is also a very confident director. He is very sorted and focused. He knew from day one what he wanted from us, and gave me full freedom to excel as Surajmukhi. For a newcomer like me who was debuting with Poster Boys, it was a huge help. I was a bit nervous initially, but everything was ok after my first take. I wish I had scenes with Sunny Sir also.”

Has Poster Boys finally opened the door for you in the world of films?
I would say people have noticed me as Surajmukhi in the film. And yes I have got a warm response from the industry and am getting offers as well. Soon I will announce my next.

Do you agree with SC decision to not make National Anthem mandatory in cinema halls ?
It’s true that people go to the cinema for undiluted entertainment and to forget their worries. Hence I’m in complete agreement with SC’s landmark decision to make it optional to play the National Anthem before movies.

What does the national anthem mean to you?
The national anthem a lot to me and it must be respected. I absolutely love India’s National Anthem, it fosters unity, especially given the cultural diversity which we have here. We learn how to sing it before we can read the alphabets and we stand ramrod straight as a mark of respect when it plays. Above all else, my country’s anthem reminds me that, unlike so many other parts of the world, I am free in India and nobody is expected to wear patriotism on their sleeves.

Why do you feel that the anthem should not be imposed?
Such things cannot be imposed. Most national anthems are not meant to codify or police our behavior; they are songs of freedom. They are a celebration of what our countries are, or should aspire to be. This is why I admire the take-a-knee campaign by NFL players and other athletes in America. This is not an insult to America; it’s a citizenry that is peacefully engaged in wanting better for their people. What could be more patriotic than that? Incidentally, social media turned their attention to anthem etiquette this time for US president Donald Trump, looked like he struggled with the words on the National Anthem in a college football game in Atlanta. Ultimately, it boils down to personal choice as to whether a person sings the anthem or just stands respectfully.