Actor Prachee Pathak is set to join Rahul Kumar Tewary’s television show Udne Ki Aasha in a new role that promises to add another layer of mystery to the ongoing story.
Prachee will portray Philomena, a retired nurse who has a significant connection with the female protagonist and her family. While Philomena initially appears to be a calm, uncomplicated and composed woman, her character is expected to reveal several hidden layers as the story progresses.
Speaking about her entry into the show, Prachee said she was excited to take on a character whose complete story is not immediately apparent.
“I’m very excited to be a part of Udne Ki Aasha and to play Philomena. She is a retired nurse, and although she may initially come across as a simple and composed woman, there is much more to her than meets the eye.”
According to the actor, Philomena shares a meaningful bond with the protagonist and her family, while aspects of her past are yet to be revealed.
“There are certain things from her past that are yet to come out, so viewers will gradually discover different shades of Philomena,” she added.
Why Prachee Pathak Was Drawn to Philomena
For Prachee, the mystery surrounding Philomena was one of the biggest attractions of the role.
Rather than simply being a new character entering the narrative, Philomena has an emotional connection to the family and a backstory that is expected to unfold gradually.
“I was immediately attracted to the depth and mystery in the character. Philomena has an important emotional connection with the family and the protagonist. I really liked that she has a backstory and that the audience will discover her layers slowly.”
The actor added that she particularly enjoys roles that allow her to explore contrasting emotions and different aspects of a character’s personality.
A Calm Personality With Hidden Emotions
Prachee describes Philomena as mature, experienced and composed. However, beneath that restrained exterior are memories and emotions that she does not readily reveal.
“Philomena has a certain warmth to her, but there is also an element of mystery around her. She doesn’t reveal everything about herself immediately.”
The actor believes that the gradual revelation of Philomena’s personality will make her journey interesting for both the audience and herself.
“There are emotions, memories and secrets that she carries within her. As the story moves ahead, different sides of her personality will come forward.”
Playing a Character Who Keeps Her Emotions Inside
One of the biggest challenges for Prachee was portraying Philomena’s emotional world without making her expressions overly dramatic.
The retired nurse has experienced a great deal in her life, but she does not necessarily express those experiences openly. For Prachee, maintaining that contrast between Philomena’s outward composure and her internal emotions required considerable restraint.
“Playing someone who has so much happening internally while remaining calm on the outside requires a lot of control. That subtlety was challenging, but it also made the role exciting for me.”
She also worked on understanding why Philomena behaves the way she does rather than focusing only on her outward characteristics.
Prachee Worked on Philomena’s Mannerisms
To make the character believable, Prachee spent time studying Philomena’s backstory, circumstances and emotional motivations.
Because the character is a retired nurse, the actor also paid attention to mannerisms and body language that could help make the portrayal feel natural.
“More than the external details, I wanted to understand what she has experienced, what she feels and what she chooses not to say. That is what makes her mysterious,” she explained.
Philomena’s Connection With the Family
Philomena’s relationship with the female protagonist and the rest of the family is expected to be central to her storyline.
Prachee remained tight-lipped about the details but hinted that these relationships may not be as simple as they initially appear.
“Philomena has a very significant connection with the female protagonist, and that relationship is one of the reasons her presence in the story is important.”
She added that Philomena also shares an interesting equation with the family and that viewers will have to wait for the story to reveal the reasons behind those relationships.
“I don’t want to reveal too much because there are secrets that will come out at the right time. Her relationships are not as straightforward as they may initially seem.”
National School of Drama Training Helped Prachee Explore the Role
Prachee also connected her experience of playing Philomena with her time at the National School of Drama (NSD).
She said working on layered characters and researching their motivations reminds her of being a student and exploring acting techniques.
“When I research my characters, it takes me back to my National School of Drama days and makes me feel like a student again.”
For the actor, Philomena represents another opportunity to explore a character whose story is revealed gradually rather than immediately.
Prachee Thanks the Makers of Udne Ki Aasha
Prachee expressed gratitude to producer Rahul Tewary and Rolling Tales Production for trusting her with the role.
She also encouraged viewers to continue watching the show to discover the different sides of Philomena as her story unfolds.
“I hope the audience connects with Philomena and enjoys discovering her journey one layer at a time. I would only tell them to keep watching, because there is definitely more to Philomena than what you see right now,” she concluded.
