Actress Nausheen Ali Sardar, who made her television debut with Ekta Kapoor’s popular show Kkusum, has reflected on playing a mature character at a very young age and said she remains grateful for the opportunity.
Looking back at the show, Nausheen said she feels “very blessed” to have played a title role that continues to be remembered years after it went off air.
“I feel very blessed to have had a title role in ‘Kkusum’ that people still remember even after so many years. People don’t really get this kind of opportunity today. Very rarely are character roles remembered,” she said.
Nausheen attributed the show’s lasting impact to the storytelling and music of that era, recalling how television shows could command high ratings and memorable title tracks played an important role in their popularity.
“The scripts were different back then. We used to have TRPs of 18-25. ‘Kkusum’ had a title song that became the representation of the show. In those days, title songs played a huge role in the marketing of a show,” she said.
The actress was only 17 when she began portraying Kkusum, a character whose journey progressed through several leaps and required her to portray a woman in her 20s through her 40s.
“When I look back, I realize I was very, very young to be playing a mature role. I was seventeen and playing someone between twenty-two and forty. Personally, I’m a very childish and fun person, so playing such a mature character was always challenging. But as an actor, that’s part of the job,” she said.
Nausheen said the appreciation she received from viewers gave her confidence and remains one of the most rewarding aspects of her early career.
“Looking back, I think I did well. Being so young and still playing a mature role, and getting appreciation from the audience, makes me feel blessed. I’m truly thankful to Ekta Kapoor for that opportunity,” she said.
Kkusum followed the journey of a young, hardworking middle-class woman and became one of the prominent television dramas of its time.
Nausheen has since appeared in shows including Kahani Hai… Bolo Bolo, Kaal Chakra, Ganga, The Adventures of Hatim, Barsatein – Mausam Pyaar Ka and Vasudha.