Exclusive- Sushmita Banik reflects on her journey and return to acting; says, “Struggles make you stronger”

Actress Sushmita Banik, who made her television debut with Janani in 2021 on Ishara, recalls her first project as a life-changing experience that taught her invaluable lessons about the craft as well as this industry.

Since then, she has also appeared in Sangdil Sherdil in 2022 opposite Dheeraj Dhoopar, but took a break from the screen after facing some personal hardships.

Now, she is ready to step back into the spotlight. Reflecting on her debut, Sushmita shared, “My experience in Janani was truly wonderful. It was my first show, and I feel really blessed to have had such a warm and positive environment. My co-actors were extremely talented and supportive, which made the entire journey so smooth.

I learned a lot during the process. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and I would absolutely love to work with the same team again in the future.

”She went on to explore a different shade of acting with her project Sangdil Sherdil. “It was a really nice and enriching experience. Working opposite Dheeraj was fun because he’s such an experienced and professional actor. I got to share the screen with him. The show was very different from my debut, so it also allowed me to explore versatility and grow in confidence as an actor,” she says.

However, after this, her life took an unexpected turn, and she had to step away. “Unfortunately, life threw some very tough challenges at me. I faced a few medical conditions that took a toll and I lost both my parents. It was an extremely difficult phase, and honestly, I couldn’t think much about my career during that period. My focus was completely on healing and finding strength again,” she says.Looking ahead, Sushmita is clear about the roles she wants to take on.

“I definitely see myself playing a strong leading woman, someone who thrives despite hardships, who fights her battles with resilience and courage. I love stories that inspire people and make them feel connected to the character’s struggles and triumphs,” she says.Despite the ups and downs, she remains positive. “Like most actors, I have faced my share of struggles. From waiting for the right opportunities to dealing with personal losses, it hasn’t been easy. But I believe struggles make you stronger, and today, I look at them as steppingstones that shaped me into who I am,” she says.