Niharika Chouksey on monsoon commute struggles to 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' sets
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress Niharika Chouksey, who plays Anu in the television series 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', has opened up about the real challenges of reaching the show's sets during the monsoon season in Mumbai. Speaking on 2 August, the actress described how the city's annual rains, while welcome, make daily commutes a gruelling affair for television professionals.
Waterlogging Makes Every Commute a Task
'We all enjoy the monsoon, but it definitely comes with its drawbacks. Everyone has to get to work, and commuting becomes quite difficult. For me too, reaching the set has literally become a task because there is waterlogging in so many places,' Chouksey said.
Despite the disruptions, she emphasised that the commitment to the audience remains non-negotiable. 'There are a lot of challenges, but at the end of the day, we have to ensure that we deliver a good show for our audience. So, these are the efforts we happily put in,' she added.
How Television Schedules Compound Monsoon Woes
The demands of a daily television shoot already stretch cast and crew thin — and the monsoon compounds those pressures further. Chouksey noted that meal times are among the first casualties of a hectic shooting schedule, with dinner often pushed well past conventional hours.
'Honestly, I often end up skipping breakfast because my dinner is usually very late due to the shooting schedule. People say you should finish dinner by 7:00 pm, but our pack-up itself happens much later. So naturally, I end up eating late. I still try my best to maintain a balanced diet despite the hectic routine,' she said.
On-Set Snacking: Cranberries, Bhujia and Chana Jor Garam
A self-described foodie, Chouksey relies on a small arsenal of snacks to keep her energy up between shots. 'I usually carry dried cranberries and some bhujia with me because I'm a complete foodie and I always need something to munch on. Lately, I've also been enjoying chana jor garam mixed with onions, cucumber, tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon. All of us on set enjoy it together while spending time between shots,' she said.
The candid glimpse into life on a Mumbai television set during the monsoon underlines a broader reality for the industry — where the show, quite literally, must go on regardless of flooded roads or delayed pack-ups. With the monsoon season still weeks from its peak, the cast and crew of 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' are likely to navigate several more such days before the skies clear.