Daldal breakout Samara Tijori on the emotional cost of playing a serial killer; “Anant took a long time to leave my system”

Samara Tijori has emerged as one of the most talked-about performers following the release of Amazon’s gripping crime series Daldal. Her portrayal of Anant, a chilling yet deeply layered character, has drawn unanimous praise from audiences and critics alike. In an exclusive conversation with Subhash K. Jha, the actor opens up about the overwhelming response, her intense preparation, and the emotional toll of playing such a dark role.

I have neither seen a character nor a performance like yours in Daldal. How have you responded to all the praise?
The praise and love I am receiving is far more than I ever expected. It is overwhelming, but at the same time incredibly rewarding to know that the work I put in is being recognised and appreciated. It truly makes my heart feel full to see and hear everything that is coming my way.

What was your reaction when you were first offered the role of a serial killer?
When I got to audition for Anant, I was sold immediately. I have always been fascinated by the mind of a criminal. I studied psychology with the intention of pursuing criminology, before eventually deciding to act. However, I never lost my interest in the subject. Auditioning for a part like this and then actually bagging it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use everything I had studied and researched and bring it to life on screen.

You prepped intensely for the part, didn’t you?
Yes, I worked closely with a psychologist to understand Anant’s psyche from her birth till the age at which we meet her in the series. I was never apprehensive about the darkness of the role because it allowed me to explore a wide range of emotions and truly challenge myself as an actor. Anant is an extremely complex girl. She has seen some very dark days in her life, and those experiences shaped who she became. While it wasn’t easy to connect with her, approaching her with empathy made that process possible.

How did you personally perceive Anant as a character?
For me, she was still a little child who just needed care and love. She witnessed the worst sides of humanity and eventually grew into that version herself. I connected to her by understanding her from the inside out by recognising that she is a product of a fractured society that left a traumatised child unchecked and uncared for.

Were you traumatised by your closeness to the character?
Anant stayed with me for a long time; I won’t deny that. At the same time, she allowed me to access and express parts of myself that I didn’t even know existed. In a strange way, I think I healed through her to a certain extent.

What would you like the future to hold for you as an actor?
I would love to explore all genres going forward. I have mostly played characters who are grey or dark, and while I enjoy that space, I want to explore the entire spectrum as an actor. For now, I’m just taking everything in and hoping praying every day that I continue to move audiences through my performances whenever I get the chance to be on screen.

Also Read: Bhumi Satish Pednekkar starrer Daldal enters global top charts, trends across US, UK, Europe and UAE

The post Daldal breakout Samara Tijori on the emotional cost of playing a serial killer; “Anant took a long time to leave my system” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

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