EXCLUSIVE! Sai Deodhar On Shooting Her Most Challenging Scene In Maeri: As A Parent I Could Feel...

Maeri OTT release: It is always a delight to see power-packed performances on the screen. Be it television, films or OTT, good stories sell irrespective of the medium. As her crime drama series Maeri received an amazing response from the audience, Sai Deodhar exclusively interacted with Filmibeat.

Sara's impressive performance as Tara Deshpande has wooed the critics and the viewers. From talking about shooting her most challenging scene to revealing her approach towards playing the character, the Sara Akash actress engaged in a detailed conversation with Filmibeat.

Here are excepts from the interview-

1. Maeri delves into fractured family dynamics and societal challenges. How did you approach portraying the balance between Tara's internal conflicts and her outward actions?

Ans: Today, if you look at families, every family is dysfunctional to some extent; the levels just differ. Dysfunctionality makes it real-otherwise, it would be fake and picture-perfect, which nobody can truly have. I think that's why the show is doing so well because people connect with its realness. They aren't seeing a poor, frightened mother, nor are they seeing a mother who has declared from the start that she'll fight back. It's been a journey, and that's the beauty of the character. It's very real, and that's what makes Maeri so wonderful-it's something people can connect with instantly. The scenes aren't overly dramatic; they're just very real, which is exactly how Tara is-not overly dramatic, just real.

2. How do you think Maeri adds to conversations about women's strength and societal accountability?

Ans: As I said, it's a reflection of a woman and her strength. If she is pushed outside her comfort zone, she will retaliate, and she will do so in a way no one expects. To what extent she would go proves the saying that Nari Shakti (feminine energy) is incredibly strong and often untapped. If she truly unleashes that furious energy, she becomes unstoppable, and that's exactly what Maeri represents. The beauty of the show lies in how an ordinary woman, under extraordinary circumstances, behaves in ways that are completely unexpected.

3. The tension in Maeri escalates with every twist, leading to a shocking finale. What was the most challenging scene to film, and why?

Ans: The most challenging scene for me was when the doctor tells her that her daughter has been raped. That was a very drastic moment for me because, as a parent, I could genuinely feel the pain that any parent must go through in such a situation.

4. How was your experience working with Tanvi Mundle, Chinmaye Mandlekar?

Ans: Working with ZEE5 felt like coming home because the platform has been very instrumental in my career. My first film as a writer and director, DATE, which won 78 international awards, was acquired by ZEE5. Later, I produced The Sholay Girl, one of their originals, and now, with Maeri, I'm collaborating as an actor. It's been a fulfilling journey with the brand and its incredible team.

Working with Sachinn as a director was a fantastic experience. Though it was our first project together, his clarity and vision made it easy for me as an actor to align with his ideas. He was phenomenal, with a deep understanding of the characters and story. This was also my first time working with the cast, and I was pleasantly surprised. Chinmay, is not only a fine actor but also a secure and supportive co-star, which elevated the overall performance. The entire team was collaborative, creating a genuine synergy that's visible on screen.

Maeri is available for streaming on ZEE5.