EXCLUSIVE: Medical Dreams' Saloni Daini Calls Gangubai Her 'Split Personality'; Talks About Sharman Joshi

Medical Dreams Actor Saloni Daini Exclusive: There are very female comedians we have in the industry right now and Saloni Daini is one of them. The young and talented comedian-actress kickstarted her child artist and went on to carve a niche for herself in the entertainment world. Saloni recently appeared in TVF Girliyapa's latest show 'Medical Dreams', which revolved around the lives of NEET aspirants.

In an exclusive interview with Filmibeat, Saloni Daini opened up on her iconic comic character 'Ganugubai', working experience with Sharman Joshi in 'Medical Dreams', her character in the show and more.

Here are excerpts from the interview:

1) You started off as a child actor and then ventured into comedy. Were you always a 'break-the-stereotype' kind of a person?

When I started as a child actor, I had no idea comedy would become such a big part of my journey. I was always a funny kid-I loved mimicking people, cracking jokes, and just having fun. When we heard about the Chhote Miyan audition, we thought it was some casual talk show for kids. We went to Mumbai without overthinking it, but to my surprise, I got selected. That's where my comedy journey began.

At the time, we assumed it'd be a short adventure-like a fun, two-month Christmas break where I'd do the show and then return home. But life had other plans, and my career took off in ways I never expected.

As I kept performing, I realized how much I loved making people laugh. But beyond comedy, I've always wanted to explore different kinds of acting-different genres, different stories. Lately, I've been drawn to projects that challenge norms or tackle topics people hesitate to talk about, like Thank You for Coming. I didn't set out thinking, "I want to break stereotypes," but over time, I found myself believing in that cause. Now, I want to take on roles that start conversations, create meaningful content, and make an impact.

2) Your character 'Gangubai' has a separate fan base altogether. Looking back at your journey, what was that one thing about Gangubai you think stood apart from the rest and connected with the audience the most?

I always say Gangubai is my split personality. The moment I step into that character, something changes-I feel alive, free, and honestly, even funnier than I am as Saloni! In real life, I can be a little shy, but Gangubai? She's bold, confident, and loves interacting with people. She has this infectious, larger-than-life energy that I absolutely adore.

It's been 18 years since I first introduced Gangubai, and the fact that people still remember me by that name is just surreal. She's become more than just a character; she's a part of me. And honestly, I love playing her just as much today as I did back then. She's the cutest, and definitely my favorite!

3) Coming to 'Medical Dreams', what was that one thing about your character that made you say 'yes' to this project?

Medical Dreams is special to me because of my character, Saroj. When I first read the script, I was really drawn to her story. She dreams of going to Kota to prepare for NEET alongside her best friend, Shree. But just when they're about to leave, her family puts a stop to it and arranges her wedding on the same day. Even then, she tells her best friend, "Whether I can go or not, you have to go and live both our dreams."

Saroj's strength lies in her resilience-she doesn't let one setback define her. She finds other ways, like online study programs, to keep pursuing her dream. And that's what I love about her. She represents so many girls, especially in smaller towns and villages, who have big aspirations but face societal pressures. It's not just about NEET or JEE-so many dreams in creative fields or other industries get sacrificed. I wanted to bring Saroj to life to inspire those girls-to show them that even if the road is tough, they can still chase their dreams.

4) How was your experience of working with Sharman Joshi? Tell us something about him you think people should know about.

Meeting Sharman Sir was truly amazing. I've watched and loved so many of his film like 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti. Seeing him in person was a surreal moment. What stood out for me was how effortlessly warm and humble he is. He made everyone feel comfortable, just a genuinely easy-going person.

I remember sitting around, chatting about the show's reviews, and he shared these hilarious stories about his friends' reactions. We even did a couple of interviews together. It's incredible to see someone who has achieved so much still be so grounded and I admire that quality.