Ekta spotted me in a 10-second promo in Aane Wala Pal on Doordarshan Network. The director of that serial gave me a tough time during the shoots. He kept saying I was very bad and had no idea what performing in front of the camera was all about. He even prophesised that Aane Wala Pal would be the last of me.

I actually started doubting my acting skills. My self esteem was at an all time low.

I was also doing a serial called Kalerein for Balaji. One day, Ekta dropped in on the sets to see me acting. I was petrified because I thought she had come to give me a piece of her mind. Those days, I was staying in south Mumbai, and would invariably reach the sets late.

Finally, I was called to Ekta's office. She gave me a cold stare and said, 'So you report late for shootings.' I started mumbling an apology when, suddenly, she started laughing.

Then, she told me that she wanted me to play the lead role of Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. I was too shocked to say anything.