Actor Sriti Jha, who recently entered the hit television show Balika Vadhu as Ganga, may be more experienced than the show’s lead Pratyusha Banerjee, but she’s all in awe of her co-star, who plays the popular character, Anandi. “At her age, I think she’s doing a brilliant job. And though I am a new entrant to this serial that has been like completely ‘her show’ for so long, I don’t feel threatened. She’s a cool girl, friendly and fun,” says the 26-year-old, refuting all rumours of any kind of rivalry between the two.

So, was Jha, who played the lead in her last show, Dil Se Di Dua Saubhagyavati Bhava, apprehensive about taking up the role of Ganga that wasn’t the lead? “My focus has been to do important roles. The duration and level doesn’t matter,” she says, adding, “Ganga, a victim of child marriage, wants to break free and fight for her rights, it is a positive role.”

Gauri will soon be seen entering Shashank aka Jagya’s life in the show.