Exclusive - Padmini Kolhapure on Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan: TV and films each come with their own set of dynamics, the medium might vary, but the core of the craft remains the same

Veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure is winning hearts with her powerful performance as the dignified Rajmata in the majestic period drama, Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. In an exclusive interview with Times of India TV, the acclaimed actress shared insights about stepping into this iconic role, her experience working in the television space, and the detailed preparation she undertook to portray the character.

You already have a remarkable legacy behind you, but how has your experience been working in television?

Honestly, it doesn’t feel very different. The medium might vary, but the core of the craft remains the same. Television and films each come with their own set of dynamics. For instance, cinema is often called the director’s playground, while television is largely actor-driven. But ultimately, it all comes down to performance—whether it's on a small screen or the big one. The scale might differ, but the work is still acting.

Television is such a hectic medium. Have you experienced it?

I definitely have, many times. Just a few days ago, I had a one-day shoot, and it lasted for 14 hours. But even earlier in my career, I’ve worked long hours, double shifts, even triple shifts. We've done all of that before. It's intense, but it's not new to us. Still, every time, it feels like a new kind of challenge."

You play a mentor, a mother figure — basically, everything rolled into one. What kind of research did you do on your end to prepare for this role?

I honestly believe that every working woman who manages a career, marriage, children all of it is a Rajmata in her own right. Seriously though, I did try to understand what that life must have been like. I watched a lot of films on royalty, kings, queens, the regal lifestyle, mainly to grasp the body language and nuances. Although this role didn’t require intense method prep, that’s just how I am. I naturally like to dig deep into anything I do. If I don’t fully understand something, I tend to ask a lot of questions, sometimes nag the director a bit, until I feel confident. And you know, while I was researching, I noticed how my algorithm on social media started showing me content related to Prithviraj Chauhan. There’s so much ambiguity around the series made on his life, but clearly, there’s interest. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be making such shows, right?

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He was such a young king, depending on which version you read. Imagine the kind of strength and steel that it took. And it’s said his mother, the Rajmata, had a profound influence on him. That really moved me. It’s inspiring to portray such layered figures. That’s what I love about long-format storytelling. You can really explore the depths of characters, their layers, emotions, motivations. In films, you have to wrap it up in two or three hours, so there’s less room for that kind of exploration.It gives you the space to really live the character.

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