Exclusive! Harleen Sethi: I was locked for huge Bollywood film, 6 months later A-list actress replaced me on A-list actor's demand

‘Broken But Beautiful’ actress Harleen Sethi is back, this time as an interesting character in The Gone Game 2. She has come back into a TV series which is poles apart from Sameera and it took her two years to be seen in an almost full-fledged role again. Harleen spoke to OTTplay about how, during the two-year span, she has faced many circumstances including being replaced after six months because the A-list actor wanted to work with an A-list actress.

Harleen also spoke about The Test Case 2, Broken But Beautiful franchise and if it will continue even after Sidharth Shukla’s demise. She even hinted at a whole new plot.

Excerpts from the interview…

You are the latest entrant on The Gone Game 2. What are you expecting from the show and what should people look forward to?

Yes, I am the latest entrant in The Gone Game season 2. I expect people to enjoy the fast pace of the show. It's very intriguing, keeps you hooked, has many twists-and-turns, is very nicely done and everyone has played a very nice part. I wish the audiences enjoy the show and accept me in the new character which is completely different from what I've played earlier - as Sameera in Broken. I'm also trying out different parts just to enjoy myself as an actor, experience, learn more and I want people to accept and love me the way they do and have done. I hope they let go of my flaws, if any. I'm also learning acting on the job. Their validation and love means a lot to me so I really hope they share that with me.

I personally loved The Gone Game season 1 and season 2 is bigger and better in that sense. They should just binge-watch it at once and look forward to seeing me in a very different character.

There's this twisted Gujral family on the show. How does you character fit in that?

My character doesn't really fit into the Gujral family. She just comes to investigate as a CBI officer. She wants to find out who the real culprit is - is it the entire family or one of them. It turns out that they all have a very different, grey side to them. That's what makes the show very interesting.

Have you seen the first season and are you a fan of the show?

I absolutely loved season 1 which is why I'm in season 2. I loved the music and the performances were great - special mention to all the actors who shot the show on their phones at their home and performed the way they did, despite limitations. It was directed super well too. Being shot, directed and promoted during COVID, it was a great watch - very refreshing and intriguing. I'm a fan of the show and hope people love season 2 as well.

Since everybody else was already associated with the series since the start, what was warming up to them like?

I was possibly the only new entrant. It didn't take me time to warm up because they were really sweet. I know Shweta (Tripathi Sharma) from before. She was very warm and Sanjay (Kapoor) sir is extremely witty, funny and professional. We actually met at our table reads and workshops with our director. So, I met Rukhsar ma'am and Arjun (Mathur). Even though I didn't have any scenes with him, we met during promotions and he's really warm, sweet and humble. Even Shriya (Pilgaonkar). They were all very welcoming and gave me space to bring my own ideas. We were feeding off each other's energies. I just loved the experience.

The Gone Game was the first web series to be shot during COVID-19. What would you say makes season 2 special?

The story carries forward. It's a very talented cast and varied type of actors. They're all very versatile and accomplished. The music is very different and special. I like the fast-pace of the show and how it is this mini series that you can binge in one go. It's very edge-of-the-seat.

Broken saw you in a very different role and I ask you this because many people know you because of that show. Now, The Gone Game 2, especially your character on this show is the complete contrast of that one. So tell me, how did The Gone Game 2 happen?

I auditioned for it last January (2021). I wasn't actually very keen to play the part because The Test Case 2 will also come out and I play a commando in that. When I read the script, I thought it's different from what I've played before and what I am working on. I just thought why not because the cast is interesting and I loved the show anyway. I want to play new people by playing different parts and tapping my personality - bringing that out through the character I'm playing. You want to enjoy the process of learning and acting.

Talking about Broken, while we all thought Sidharth Shukla would be an addition to the franchise that you and Vikrant have taken forward since so many years, destiny had other plans. Do you have a hint if Broken will move forward anyway?

As far as I know, you will definitely see Broken again. It's very sad what happened with Sidharth Shukla. We were looking forward to watching him again in Broken But Beautiful 4. They say life moves on and so, I think Broken will also happen again. You might get to see a new couple and story on the show.

You have worked in one, max two projects per year. Is this a conscious decision or has the industry not been too welcoming to you and so, you have to pick what comes your way?

Broken did give me many opportunities but I was being very choosy then. I wanted to do something different and test myself as an actor. I didn't get meaty roles and sometimes, was locked in for a few Bollywood films which didn't materialize because once, six months down the line I got to know the A-list actor said he wants to work only with an A-list actress. I didn't even get to know that I was replaced and this was with a very big production house. I was almost locked for the project and suddenly, the A-list actor said yes for the part and didn't even audition. So, that didn't materialize. A couple of these things happened. Some things work out, some don't. So, I would say the industry has been very welcoming and given me a lot of love. I know I have been waiting but it is for the right kind of projects and those that challenge me and make me want to tap into the different sides of my own personality. What I look at while choosing a project is a meaty-enough part and be at least as important that it doesn't just involve dancing around the trees. There needs to be something in the storyline in the sense of changing the graph of the script, how the character takes it forward and so on. So, I was taking it slow and then, COVID happened. Now, hopefully you'll be seeing me in lot more stuff. I also changed my approach as an actor with COVID and OTT. It's a great time to be here. I've done some really different parts. The world has also opened up much more. It's not about that big Bollywood film anymore.

I was also working on The Test Case 2 and I couldn't commit to anyone else because they wanted chunk dates. The project kept getting delayed and got stalled for a bit. I lost out on a couple of things that I really wanted to do but couldn't because I already signed up for Test Case. It is also one of my dream projects. So, delays happened but now hopefully everything is back in motion. Hopefully, Test Case will also go on floors by the end of the year.

What is surviving in the industry, especially in these times, like for you, who was just taking off in 2019?

As an industry, we're in a very good space. A lot of auditions happening and many projects are here because of how OTT is blooming. That happened with COVID situation. With so many different platforms, there's so much work for all of us. It's a great time to be here. We're not surviving but killing it with the amount of content that's being made. Right now, it's all about working on your craft and enjoying your journey as an actor - choosing the right kind of scripts and people you want to work with. I'm having fun.

Your upcoming projects?

There's a show I'm doing with Clean Slate Filmz. It will be on Netflix, hopefully next year. There's something I'm doing with Sony LIV. There's a short film which is doing very well internationally. I'm working with Milind Luthria sir. That has interesting actors again, a good ensemble. I worked on a song in a movie - Woh Ladki Hai Kahan - featuring Taapsee Pannu and Pratik Gandhi. The song opens the film. That was really fun. I have Test Case and another medical drama.