Aaditi Pohankar on working with Prakash Jha in Aashram: ‘He taught me that even the most intense scenes…’ – Exclusive |

Aaditi Pohankar, who impressed audiences as Pammi in Aashram, opened up about the overwhelming response to the series, her character’s intense transformation, and the invaluable lessons she learned from director Prakash Jha. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, she shared her journey, challenges, and the impact of playing such a powerful role. Excerpts…
The third season of Aashram has been receiving rave reviews. How does it feel?
I feel extremely fortunate, lucky, and grateful to the divine that this season has also been a massive success. When Aashram began, we knew it would create a wave, but we never imagined it would be this powerful, passionate, and intense. The craze is unbelievable—when people recognize you by your character’s name, it validates that the show has not only reached every screen and home but also touched hearts. It’s an absolute joy to witness this. We, including Prakash Sir, Bobby Sir, and I, are extremely happy and grateful.
Aashram is known for its raw storytelling. What was the most challenging aspect of portraying Pammi this season?
From the beginning, we were aware that Aashram had a raw storytelling approach. The biggest challenge for me this season was portraying Pammi’s transformation. The subtle shift from innocence to revenge was difficult to execute. If you notice certain scenes, like those with Bhabhi or after Akki’s death, the transitions are subtle yet powerful. As an actor, capturing those nuances is always challenging because you don’t always know where you’re headed. When I perform in such scenes, I don’t pre-plan them; they emerge from years of learning and refining my craft. The challenge was to keep the performance fresh and not make it look repetitive.

How did you approach the physical and emotional demands of your role, especially in the more intense scenes?
The physical and emotional demands of Aashram 3.5 were incredibly high. This season, Pammi undergoes a drastic change, and my biggest concern was whether the audience would accept this new side of her. I also questioned myself—would I do justice to such a well-written role? Fortunately, I always had Prakash Jha Sir guiding me through Pammi’s journey. Emotionally, the role was draining, but I tackled it one scene at a time, breaking down each emotion carefully.
Physically, even though there were no wrestling scenes this time, I continued my training to maintain the strength and body language of a wrestler. For example, in the scene where water is thrown at Pammi in jail, the way she gets up had to reflect her resilience. I made sure to stay in shape for such moments. Emotionally, I focused on understanding Pammi’s pain, betrayal, and anger. Her tears were not the same as before—she cried only when her mother died; after that, her pain hardened. She only broke down in private moments, like when she confessed to Bhopaswami. This emotional graph was very demanding, but maintaining my physical strength helped me stay in character.

After Aashram, many people recognize you as Pammi. How has this role shaped your career and public perception?
As an actor, nothing feels better than being recognized by your character’s name. Pammi is a strong and courageous woman who fights for justice. When people call me Pammi, I feel immense pride, not just for myself but for all the women who have stood up against injustice. Acting is a powerful medium—it allows us to connect with people in ways we don’t always realize. When I embrace Pammi’s strength, I believe it resonates with many others who draw courage from her story. That’s the magic of cinema—it creates an impact that lasts forever.
You’ve mentioned working with director Prakash Jha was a long-awaited opportunity. How has collaborating with him on Aashram impacted your approach to acting and character development?
There are very few actors who wouldn’t want to work with Prakash Sir, and I was lucky to get this opportunity. I’m truly grateful that he chose me for such a performance-driven role. His guidance has completely changed me as an actor. He often compliments me, saying, ‘Tum kitna achha karti ho, tum achhi actress ho.’ When such words come from a legendary director like him, it’s incredibly motivating.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from him is to focus on quality over quantity. He taught me that even the most intense scenes should be portrayed simply. It’s easy to cry on screen, but showing internal pain while appearing composed is much harder. This depth of performance is something I learned from him. His expertise has greatly influenced how I approach my characters.
What was your first reaction when Prakash Jha offered you Aashram? Did you have any apprehensions about the role?
When Prakash Sir offered me the role, I was overjoyed! I even went to celebrate by eating pani puri—that’s how I express excitement. But soon after, reality hit me—I had to gain 10 kilos for the role! That was a real challenge because my body type, as a former sprinter, made it difficult to put on weight.
I still remember going back to him after a month and saying, Sir, I’ve only gained 750 grams! He thought I was joking and warned me that if I couldn’t gain weight, he might have to replace me. That scared me, but he was patient and gave me more time. Eventually, after three months, I gained the required 10 kilos.
Working with Prakash Sir has been a transformative experience. He has helped me grow not just as an actor but also as a person. His words of encouragement keep me motivated, even when I take breaks between projects. Thanks to him, I now focus on choosing meaningful roles rather than chasing quantity.