Nishigandha Wad, a renowned name in Marathi films and TV industry. Some might remember her from Marathi films Shejari Shejari and Gruhpravesh, some might recognize her from Bollywood films Wazir and Race 3, while the TV audience knows her from the popular Hindi TV shows Sasural Simar Ka and Chehra. But her work has gone far and beyond the entertainment industry. She is not only known for gracing the screen with her powerful performances, but also for supporting the social causes with equal zeal.
Nishigandha runs a trust initiating a success journey for failed students helping them hone their skills required to set a foot in their fields of interest. She has been working alongside like-minded people to help women affected by domestic violence.
When asked more about her social work, she mentioned collaborations with MMRDA, projects with Bombay Port Trust sanctioned by TISS. This has been her dream, to crossover and dedicating her life to social cause.
“While sharing your happiness with the world, you should keep something for yourself as well”
While taking joy in supporting social causes, pursuing her passion, and making mark in the field of acting, Nishigandha Wad has been also taking further her family legacy of education with now pursuing her third doctorate.
Read on further to get a sneak-peek at Nishigandha Wad’s behind-the-screen story.
Glimpse of a journey in Passion and Education
At the age of 11, Nishigandha Wad received a national scholarship for dramatics by the National Cultural Talent Search Board. This encouraged her to hone her passion for acting. She started training to be an actor.
While training to be an actor at the veteran Sulabha Deshpande’s acting school Avishkar, Nishigandha entered the Marathi theatre alongside the renowned actor Amol Palekar at the age of 14. It was the rising era for Marathi TV industry when Nishigandha was offered her first Marathi serial while she was pursuing her 12th grade in Arts.
Recalling her early days in the Marathi entertainment industry Nishigandha said, “My TV show written by Jaywant Dalvi and directed by Atmaram Bhende became superhit. It earned me recognition in the industry. I set foot into films during my BA. Then there was no looking back.”
In her 30 years of acting career, Nishigandha got unique experiences while creating milestones along the way. Some of her eminent work includes the hit show Dastaan (1995-96) that aired on Zee Arabia and Zee TV. The show required the cast and crew to shoot in Dubai for over two years. Nishigandha recalls few of her earlier work – Hrishikesh Mukharjee’s Choti Bahu and Noke Jhok. This was her entry in the Hindi TV industry. “And the work just kept coming,” she said.
While making mark as an actor, Nishigandha managed to devote her time for studies as well. “My mother was a teacher and now a veteran writer. My father was in army and he is the recipient of Raksha Chakra by the hands of the honorable President.” The support from her family further encouraged her to continue her study, enough to pursue three doctorates.
“I have completed my first doctorate in 2003 under the head of department of history Dr. Varsha Shirgaonkar for the topic Changing role of women in society reflection from British and Marathi Creators from 1970 to 2000” Nishigadha shared.
“I pursued my second doctorate 2013 on women empowerment – comparison between women in different patience of life – the rich and the poor, uneducated and educated.”
While elaborating her point further about importance and resonance of these subjects today, Nishigandha Wad depicted a beautiful quote. “Many educated women today can’t use their complete potential or hone their talent because it is not required in marriage.” She says, “When even a plant kept near the window shows its true nature and grows in the direction of sunlight, then why should women keep their talents and dreams in the corner like a bonsai just to decorate a home? Women also have the right to nurture their talents and achieve their dreams.”
While strongly putting forth her opinions about women empowerment Nishigandha talked about her third doctorate she is currently pursuing in the field of Marathi literature on seven books of independent poetry by veteran Shantabai Shelke.
From facing challenges to making mark
“I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all someday.” Just like Jo March from Little Women, Nishigandha Wad as well has astonished the generations with her eminent persona on-screen.
But this success hasn’t come easily to her. “Training at an acting school under the legendary Satyadev Dubey, Arvind Deshpande, Sulabha Deshpande, and Jaydev Hattangadi was another thing.” Nishigandha said, “But when I first set foot alongside veterans in professional Marathi theatre it took me a long time to see myself from my soul sight. Like any other freshman, I was grasped with worries about what others and the audience will think about me.” “But ease comes with experience.” She advised.
Not only in the acting school or while working in theatre or films, but a true artist is nurtured outside as well. The stories they read, hear, and live have a huge impact on how the actor is shaped, how strong their roots become. Talking about which, Nishigandha shared fond memories of her childhood, “I grew up listening to the stories of legends like Geeta Bali and Meena Kumari from Kidar Sharma who was my uncle’s neighbor.”
The stories and immense struggles of these legends and the hard work they put to reach the levels inspired Nishigandha to focus on her roots and strive for excellence from early age. “When you reach deep within oneself you realize the roots are so deep, in thoughts, efforts, and endeavors.” She believes, “When the roots are deep, you aim for skies.”
Gracefully managing professional and personal fronts
While climbing the upward graph in the acting career and pursuing doctorate alongside how has Nishigandha Wad managed to maintain healthy work-life balance? We were curious to know.
To this she answered, “faith I have in myself and the potential I feel the god has graced me with I should be honest to that. That honesty has helped me to balance. I know I can do so much, and I cannot go further than this.” Setting boundaries is important and the renowned actor has recited this for younger generation.
“That’s how I’ve been managing it all.” She said, “Be it my studies, my career, giving time to family and reserving some more for my daughter, to take interest in her interests, and to see how I can be instrumental to her achieving her dreams. As a mother, it comes natural to me.”
Nishigandha shared a secret of balancing professional and personal life. “Do things that give you happiness.” She said, “The definition of you includes yourself, your family, your passion and that’s how you can allocate time. That’s how balancing comes easily to you.”
Advice for the aspirants
“Mutability is apt definition of life”, Nishigandha said, when asked about advising the aspiring actors, “Change is inevitable, and my generation has experienced plenty of it whether it is technological or social. The opportunities were not many in my time.” She said, “But digital revolution has made the world borderless today. It has created whole new opportunities for the younger generation but with it, nature of struggle has also changed for them.”
“Today’s generation is bombarded with information, but how much of information is translated into wisdom is for today’s generation to introspect. Introspection is so important along with observation and imitation even for acting.”
Wise words on parenthood
As Nishigandha discussed the differences between the two generations – millennials and their parents, we got her further share her views and opinions about the burning issue of generation gap.
“Parents, family, siblings; people who love each other, have to care for each other. Look out if your child or siblings or friends are going the wrong way.” She exclaimed.
She also addressed the younger generation, “Once you reach the skies, don’t forget the relations where you started from. Your parents will never mention it, but they do need you, may be not physically but more morally and emotionally.”
“Young generation today as impressed by the western culture, wants to branch out early.” She ended the interview with this beautiful thought, “But whenever earning child take that step, start saving some amount for your parents’ old age, as they at some point had made deposits for you.”
“Remain for yourself as well. Compete with yourself. When our journey is so individualistic and subjective why waste time competing it with others”
