Actress Aarvika Gupta Opens Up About Preparing for Her Role in Chidiya Udd: 'Shooting in Kamathipura Was Unforgettable'

Actress Aarvika Gupta is currently seen in the challenging role of Champa in the newly released web series Chidiya Udd, where she plays a drug addict who is HIV-positive and a prostitute. Speaking about her role, Aarvika says, “I had auditioned for this series a long time ago through a casting agency. After the audition, I forgot about it since I didn’t hear back. Then one day, I got a call from Omkar Ji of Baweja Studios, asking if I was ready to play the character I had auditioned for. I was so excited because the role was very challenging—an HIV-positive, drug-addicted prostitute on the verge of death, experiencing multiple emotions. As an actor, you always seek such challenges to prove yourself and deliver something impactful to the audience. So, I immediately said yes.”

How did she prepare for the role? Aarvika explains, “Honestly, I didn’t know how to prepare for such a role. But once I transformed my look through makeup, felt the character through costumes, and started shooting in the real locations of Kamathipura, I naturally began to feel Champa’s emotions. Shooting in Kamathipura was an experience I will never forget. Most of the scenes were shot on location, giving us a close look at the lives of prostitutes. We even saw people living that life while filming there. I stayed in the moment and played the role authentically. If I had prepared in advance, it wouldn’t have felt as real. What I felt on set, in that look, was genuine. Director Ravi Jadhav was my guiding light throughout the shooting.”

She adds, “To look weak and portray an HIV-positive person, I avoided eating and drinking water on set until my pack-up. My throat would stay dry, and I’d genuinely feel weak and restless—something that reflected on my face. I also avoided laughing much, as I wanted to stay in character. Despite all this, I truly enjoyed the shoot and learned that when you are hungry for good work, you can put everything aside and focus solely on perfecting your role.”