Actress Monalisa is preparing to bring one of her most emotionally layered performances to screen in 'Love To Hate You: Chapter 2', a show she says drew her in precisely because of its complexity. The series, which marks the return of Harsh Rajput and Niyati Fatnani as Aman and Ria, also features Abhimanyu Tomar, Sanjana, and Monalisa in key roles.

Why Monalisa Said Yes

'What I really liked about the show was that my character is not very simple. There are many emotions and situations that she goes through. I like playing characters where I can show different shades,' Monalisa said. She noted that the script's blend of love, betrayal, pain, and unexpected twists made it an irresistible creative proposition. 'When I read the story, I felt there was something interesting for me as an actor,' she added.

The Craft Behind Emotional Roles

Monalisa described a deliberate, inward process for inhabiting her character's shifting emotional states. 'When you are playing an emotional character, you have to understand what the person is feeling. Sometimes the character is angry, sometimes hurt and sometimes confused,' she explained. Her primary focus, she said, was on keeping reactions authentic rather than performed. 'I tried to keep it very natural because these emotions should not look forced. The more you understand your character, the easier it becomes to perform those scenes.'

Navigating Secrets and Multiple Story Threads

The most demanding aspect of the role, according to Monalisa, is managing the character's layered awareness — knowing what her character knows and, crucially, what she does not. 'There are family issues, secrets and misunderstandings. As an actor, you have to remember what your character knows and what she doesn't know. Sometimes you are playing a scene with one emotion, but inside you know there is something else happening. That makes it interesting but also difficult,' she said.

Moments That Surprised Even the Actress

Monalisa admitted that the script held genuine surprises for her as a reader. 'There were some moments where I was like, 'Oh, this is going to happen?' I don't want to reveal anything because that will spoil the fun for the audience. But there are definitely moments that will make people stop and think,' she said. She added that even mid-read, she found herself eager to turn the page — a quality she believes will translate to viewers.

The Universal Thread in Her Character

Monalisa sees her character's emotional journey as one that audiences will recognise from their own lives. 'I think everyone has faced situations where they have trusted someone and later felt hurt or confused. Sometimes we don't know the complete truth and we react according to what we see,' she said. She believes this relatability will earn the character empathy, even in her most conflicted moments. 'Relationships are never perfect,' she noted — and her role in 'Love To Hate You: Chapter 2' appears built around that very truth.