Leena Jumani appears to have had a "professionally extremely satisfying" start to 2022 after making a comeback to Gujarati films (after 15 years) and a fictional TV show (she plays the antagonist in Apnapan). She also has an OTT release and a Hindi film in the works. Leena, who last appeared on television in 2019 playing Tanu in Kumkum Bhagya, became an entrepreneur in 2020 and opened salons in Ahmedabad. Leena, who began her career in show business as a teen, recalls that she was only 16 years old when she was given the chance to appear in a Gujarati film. But after my brief trip there, I began working at the stock exchange. I took a really good role at MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange of India) because I wanted to provide for my family as much as I could. But acting was my true love. Leena feels that getting a part in an Ekta Kapoor show was a "game changer" for her after she tried out for one.
Leena considers television to be her first love after playing prominent roles in a number of daily soap operas. "Television has played a significant role in my career," she claims. I've gotten a tone of cash from it, along with fame and, most importantly, viewer love. For me, every new project is special. I'm happiest when I'm in front of the camera for a TV show. Leena believes it is imperative to take a break between two projects because she left Kumkum Bhagya because she didn't want to get old. "Working in television can take a lot of time. You have to dedicate a lot of time to a TV show—sometimes an entire week without a break.
She continues, "TV soaps can also have a negative impact on one's health, despite being creatively satisfying. So, before beginning a new show, I make sure to take a proper break. Before I put on the skin of a new character, it helps me to disconnect from the previous one. Sonali in Apnapan may be a bad guy, but that doesn't mean she's like any other character I've played before, claims Leena.
Leena is impressed by the transformation the Gujarati film industry has undergone. "I watched movies like Bey Yaar, Chhello Divas, and Wrong Side Raju, and I was very pleased to see this urban reinterpretation of Gujarati films," she claims. It was all about chaniya-choli and k ediyu-clad people living in villages when I began my career in Gujarati films.
It is beneficial to have relatable movies. I was thrilled to be a part of a movie that was largely filmed in London. Our storytelling, acting, and production quality have all significantly improved in the last decade, according to my opinion. Leena believes that the pandemic has altered viewing habits. According to her, "OTT platforms have allowed both Indian audiences in India and around the world to watch regional films. Even international screenings and theatrical releases for some Gujarati movies were held elsewhere. I'm overjoyed that regional film has at last found an audience and that viewers are watching good, relevant content.
Leena, who recently called off her engagement to her London-based beau, says on the personal front, "I am single and happy to be in that space. I'm not ready for love and I don't have time for it either. If I find the right person, I will get married in the future. Everything will come together when the conditions are right.
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