MUMBAI: One of the most talented and beautiful actresses, Navina Bole, has left her mark with all the characters that she has played. She is known for playing the role of Diya Bhushan in Miley Jab Hum Tum, Priya in Jeannie Aur Juju, and Tia in Ishqbaaaz.

Not only her acting skills, but Navina mesmerises her fans with her breath-taking looks and amazing fashion sense. No matter what she wears, she knows how to carry it perfectly. Fans of Navina Bole always wait for more updates from the actress’ side, and this time the fans are more than happy to see her coming back for a role in one the most favourite shows of Sab TV’s, Alibaba: Dastan-E-Kabul as Fatima’s mother.

Bestarticles got in touch with Navina, who opened up about her experience with the cast, her first reaction to the role, and much more.

How has your experience with the cast of Alibaba been?

I have interacted with Khushi, who plays the role of Fatima, my daughter in the show. She is a very sweet, and level-headed girl, and she was a huge fan of Miley Jab Hum Tum. I did not interact a lot with Sheezan. I met him very briefly, but he seemed very sweet. The whole team was delightful, from the scheduler to the director, they were all really nice. Everything was very creatively explained to me at length. They were very patient and it was a lot of work for the day as it was four scenes back-to-back, but it’s a great team to work with. I did not have any unpleasant experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the character.

What was your reaction to the show and the character?

I was enthusiastic because Arabian Nights as a concept has always been interesting to me, and I knew that the show would be larger than life. It’s Nissar Parvez’s production house that was my first director in Miley Jab Hum Tum, so I knew that it would be handled very well. When I went for the look test, I loved the way that they had styled me as it was very different and over-the-top. I had a very good feeling. I was a little uncomfortable playing a mother, but I later saw that the character isn’t just about being a mother as she brings a lot more to the show. So that did not deter me. I also loved how they shot it. They built a whole mystique around the whole character, and the way that they brought it in the introduction, everything was very nice. I’m really looking forward to what else they have in store for the character because it’s a very strong, negative and power-hungry kind of character, so it would be fun playing it more.

When it comes to acting, who was your mentor?

There are a lot of people. I can’t name just one person since it won’t be fair. I will have to start off with my family. My dad was an associate director, who then went on to become a director. So obviously I wanted to act, and my first boyfriend pushed me to go for auditions because my father did not want me to act. However, my then-boyfriend told me that I should make a portfolio and go for auditions. You learn the most I think when you audition and then you work, so that was also my mentor. All my directors, all my creatives who told me how it’s supposed to be done, everybody who did better than me in the auditions were also a mentor because I looked at them and I learnt how I can get better. Also, my parents and everybody who was very supportive and let me do this, in spite of everything. Even Pavan sir, who was my first director in Solhah Singaarr, was wonderful. Ravi sir, Maan sir, Nisar sir (from Miley Jab Hum Tum), Rajan sir (from Jeanie Aur Juju), Lalit sir (from Ishqbaaaz); they have all been fabulous and very instrumental in shaping me. I feel I’m getting better with every passing day because I take in everything that they tell me and then the next day when I face the camera, I’m so much better. Also, I thank god more than anybody else; he’s been my biggest mentor and I just feel that I’m blessed and I have a lot of gratitude for all the love and peace that I’ve got and everything that I’ve done so far.

So, this was our conversation with Navina Bole. Tell us which part you loved the most.