If gang wars and guns are your thing, AltBalaji's new web series Cartel is here to blow your mind. It tells the story of five gangsters who rule Mumbai. The plot centres on Rani Maai's revenge and Aarey’s throne game. Talented Marathi actor Girija Oak who is playing Rama in ALTBalaji’s upcoming action-drama Cartel spoke at length about the show and her experience while shooting for the series.
Q: What is your character in the series?
A: I am essaying the character of Rama, Rani Maai's daughter-in-law and Madhu's (Jitendra Joshi) wife. I loved Rama because she has a special connection with each member of the Angre family and each member has a different relationship with her. She has a very interesting and quirky personality which I really like about her.
Q: You know your onscreen husband Jitendra Joshi from before.
A: He is one of my oldest friends and we have worked a lot together. We have done theatre together and have lived together for three-four years for 250 shows while we were traveling with the play. We have a great camaraderie and friendship to be able to play Rama and Madhu on the screen, which I think was a lot of fun because we understand each other.
Q: So was he the reason for you to say a 'yes' to the show?
A: No, there were two things that made me say 'yes' to this show. Firstly, my character of Rama and secondly the stellar star cast.
Q: Any interesting memories from the shoot you would like to share with us?
A: One of the fondest memories that I will always keep is how the Angre family, the actors, bonded with each other. So we were playing a family (on screen), but we also became a family. Practically every member, right from Tanuj, Rithvik, Jeetu, Praniti, Aditi, all of us, got along. And then we met outside work as well and we clicked. Every time we used to shoot the family scenes, we used to all look forward to it.
Q: And you guys are in touch?
A: We have a WhatsApp group called Angres Family; so we keep in touch.
Image Source: Instagram/girijaoakgodbole
Image Source: Instagram/girijaoakgodbole