Narayani Shastri opens up about playing two contrasting sides of the same emotional coin in COLORS’ ‘Noyontara’

COLORS’ new supernatural thriller ‘Noyontara’ is about a 23-year-old ghost-whisperer who’s long been mocked for her gift. Her life turns upside down when she marries Surjo, a rational man hung up on his past. Upon entering her eerie sasural, Pari Mahal, Noyontara is drawn into a maze of dark secrets refuse to stay buried. With a mischievous ghost named Hasiram as her ally, she must untangle the haveli’s sinister past and choose between two women—each claiming to be her mother-in-law, Lalita. One wants to save Surjo, the other is a threat to his life. But in a house where nothing is what it seems, can Noyontara trust her instincts and save her husband—or will her gift become her curse? Starring Shruti Bhist in the titular role, Arjun Chakrabarty as Surjo and Narayani Shastri as Lalita/ Lata, ‘Noyontara’ premieres on June 9 and thereafter will air every day at 8:30 PM only on COLORS. In a candid chat, Narayani Shastri opens up about the show, venturing into the supernatural genre, and the thrill of playing two characters.

1. Tell us something about the show . A.Noyontara is a supernatural thriller centered around Noyontara, a 23-year-old ghost-whisperer who’s always been ridiculed because of her rare gift. Her life spins out of control when marries Dr. Surjo, a man grounded in science, still hung up on the shadows of his past. After stepping into her in-laws’ ancestral haveli, she’s pulled into a web of secrets. With a mischievous ghost named Hasiram as her unlikely ally she starts digging into the haveli’s history of cruelty, greed, and buried truths. But then comes the twist—two women, both claiming to be her mother-in-law, Lalita. One of them puts Noyontara on a mission to save her husband from a fate worse than death with the gift the world mocked her for. Caught in the middle of trying to figure out who’s on her side and who’s pulling her into a trap, Noyontara must protect her husband, navigating a loveless marriage.

2. Tell us something about your character. A.This is my first collaboration with COLORS, and I couldn’t have asked for a more intriguing dual role I portray two contrasting women—each with her own presence, rhythm, and emotional landscape. One is grounded in authority and ritual, while the other moves with quiet resilience, shaped by layers that aren’t always immediately visible. They have entirely different ways of existing within the same space. Playing both characters allowed me to tap into completely different emotional worlds and it’s going to be an absolute treat watching the audience experience the eerie thrill of never quite knowing who’s the savior, and who’s the villain.

3. What motivated you to take up the show?  A.The moment I read the script, I knew this was something special, an opportunity for me to explore uncharted territory. The idea of portraying two layered characters was extremely compelling; they are equally compelling yet emotionally different characters. These women carry the weight of the story in starkly different ways, and the chance to portray that divergence really drew me in. The story itself goes deep into themes of power, identity, and the supernatural—not just as a surface spectacle but with real emotional substance. That complexity was too exciting for me to let go.

4. How did you prepare for your role in the show? A.Preparing for two such different characters meant diving into two separate emotional zones. I worked carefully on their body language—one moves with intention and weight, while the other carries a softer, more restrained energy. Even their stillness felt different. I also worked on speech patterns, incorporating a touch of Bangla in their Hindi to reflect their cultural roots. I made sure that their physical appearances were clearly different. The saree draping for each character was unique, and I spent time understanding the nuances of traditional styling. Makeup, posture and voice, it all came together to make these two women feel distinct and real.

5. What kind of bond do you share with your co-actors? A.I’m still getting to know my co-actors Shruti and Arjun, but even in these early days, I can clearly see that they are very committed and gifted performers. Arjun, in particular, has been a great help when it comes to fine-tuning my Bangla pronunciation. Shruti is super dedicated; she brings such focus and heart to every scene. There’s a quiet understanding building between all of us and it’s these little moments like the laughs between takes, the shared silences and the support that makes the set feel so much more than just work.

6. Tell us about your experience of shooting with COLORS. A.Incredible! This is my very first show with COLORS, and I couldn’t have asked for a better debut. COLORS has always stood out for telling bold, unconventional stories and this show is no exception. Playing two such contrasting roles isn’t just about shifting between opposites, it’s about finding the emotional balance in every moment, even in the quietest ones. It’s taught me to be patient with emotions, to sit with discomfort, and to let the story breathe. As an actor, roles like this don’t come around often. You get to explore contradictions, depth, and stillness all at once. It reminded me of why I fell in love with acting in the first place, to tell stories that make people feel something real and I am so grateful to COLORS for entrusting me not one, but two characters, that challenge me and surprise me in ways I didn’t expect even after all these years in the industry. I can’t wait for the viewers to witness what we have created.

7. What is your message to the viewers? A.Seeing all the love for the Noyontara promo has been incredible, thank you! After all these years in the industry, it’s always a thrill to share something new and challenging. This role has given me so much to explore, and I’m excited for you to dive into the world we have created, a place packed with mystery, complex emotions, and a supernatural twist that I think will really surprise you. I genuinely hope you connect with her journey and the characters around her as much as I have. To those of you who have followed my work over the years – thank you. Your belief has been a constant source of strength, pushing me to bring my most authentic self to every role. Knowing you are out there, appreciating the work, makes every demanding day, every creative risk, and every bit of growth worthwhile.

‘Noyontara’ premieres on June 9 and thereafter will air every day at 8:30 PM only on COLORS.