Smilie makes TV debut with Jodha-Akbar

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Smilie Suri, better remembered as the lead actress of the film Kalyug, is soon going to make her small screen debut. She will play Akbar’s first wife Ruqaiya Begum in the upcoming show Jodha Akbar. Unfortunately, soon after she was signed on for the project, Smilie fell seriously ill and had to be hospitalised.

The actress says that she will be entering the show in the eighth or ninth episode.
Smilie, who is director Mohit Suri’s sister, says that it’s the role that prompted her to take up the offer. “Over the last few years, I was offered TV shows but I declined them. This one is not a saas-bahu show and the role of Ruqaiya is also very different. It helps me break away from the girl-next-door image created by my Kalyug character.”
She adds, “The commute from Mumbai to Karjat for the shoot can be pretty taxing so I was in two minds initially but the character is not only interesting, it has different layers. Ruqaiya was an important part of Akbar’s life. She was his best friend, almost like his mirror. I’m just waiting to get out of the hospital and begin shooting for the show.”