Geetanjali Mishra, widely recognized for her intense negative roles in TV shows like Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India has successfully transitioned into comedy with her current role as Rajesh Singh aka Rajjo, in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan. Known for captivating audiences with her negative portrayals, last year Geetanjali Mishra aka Rajjo had taken on a new challenge, one that showcases her versatility as an actor. In a recent interview with Lehren Podcast, she shared her thoughts on moving from serious characters to comedic ones, the difficulties she faced and the importance of women’s safety.
When asked about how her role as Rajjo in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan has impacted her, Geetanjali Mishra started by acknowledging how different this opportunity was for her. “Haan, yeh jarur main kahungi. Muje industry mein kareeb 12-15 saal hogaye hai aur alag-alag character kar chuki hu par Comedy karne ka yeh pehla mauka mila,” she said.
Geetanjali admits that making people laugh is not as easy as it seems. While many think that comedy is effortless, she insists it’s quite the opposite. “Comedy jitni aasaan lagti hai, utni aasaan hoti nahi hai. Comedy bahut jyada SERIOUS business hai, toh iss serious business ko karne ke liye apne aap ko bahut boost karna padta hai aur uske liye bahut mehnat karni padti hai, internal mehnat karni padti hai,” she explained. She added that controlling emotions while delivering a comedic performance requires a lot of effort and mental preparation.
One of the key elements that have helped Geetanjali embrace her new comedic role is the support she receives from her co-actors on the set of Happu Ki Ultan Paltan. Despite stepping into the shoes of Kamana Pathak, who initially played Rajjo and set a high standard for the character, Geetanjali managed to bring her own personal touch. This has made her portrayal of Rajjo stand out but she also highlighted about the pressure of taking over a character from another actress and shared how she brought her own variation which has made her performance unique.
Before making a name for herself as Rajjo in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, Geetanjali Mishra earned widespread recognition for her intense and hard-hitting roles in crime dramas like Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India. During the interview, she shared her concerns about the challenges women still face in society, expressing her frustration with nothing has changed.
“Hamari jo mansikta din bhar din ho rahi hai, vo janwaron wali ho rahi hai,” she said, describing how the mentality of people towards women has become more brutal. Geetanjali voiced her concern about the lack of effective punishment for those who commit crimes against women. “Jo hazaaro saal purana history hai hamara, jisse aaj ki tareeq mein ‘mythology’ kehte hai, mytho ka matlab hi hota hai ‘myth’, iska matlab hum myth mein jee rahe hai,” she noted, pointing out the irony of society’s customs. She also questioned why society burns effigies of Ravana during Dussehra but fails to take real action against modern-day criminals. “Kisi ek aise b Raavan ko jhala dijiye, taaki koi dusra Raavan tayaar na ho,” she added with frustration.
Reflecting on her career, Geetanjali Mishra acknowledged how her negative roles gained more attention than her positive or lighter ones. She said, “Galat cheezon ko hamare samaaj mein jyada popularity milti hai,” pointing out that society often glorifies negative portrayals. Despite this, she is proud of the impact her work has had and is excited about new opportunities.
To know about these statements in detail, watch the full interview below:
During the same interview, Geetanjali also shared her thoughts on how OTT platforms are changing family dynamics in today’s society. She pointed out that while OTT content is booming, it is also creating distance between family members and called for stricter regulations on what can be streamed, highlighting the need for censorship on these platforms.
Geetanjali Mishra’s journey into the entertainment industry has been as interesting as her roles. While she didn’t initially plan to become an actress, she quickly rose through the ranks, captivating audiences with her performances. She fondly recalled how she entered showbiz, calling it a “filmy and interesting” story, which has led her to where she is today.
