Dreams and Stardom: Sambhabana

Zee TV’s beloved serial, Pyaar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan, set in modern-day Vrindavan, continues to captivate audiences with its romantic drama. However, one of its stars, Sambhabana Mohanty, who portrays Damini, has taken a fascinating detour from the entertainment industry by pursuing a PhD in Sociology while juggling her busy TV career.

Despite having a background rooted in the Odisha film industry (with her mother being an actress and her father a music album director), Sambhabana’s inclination towards academia led her to embark on her studies. After working in several Hindi and Odia television serials following her graduation, she made the bold decision to enroll herself in a Sociology PhD program at Sambalpur University in Odisha.

Reflecting on the twists and turns in her life, Sambhabana shares, “Clearly, life had a different plan for me. Soon after committing to the course, I received an offer to play Damini in ‘Pyaar Ka Pehla Naam Radha Mohan,’ and without hesitation, I seized the opportunity.”

As the series unfolds with gripping intensity, viewers find Radha (played by Neeharika Roy) in a perilous situation, trapped inside a cold freezer with her life hanging in the balance.

Sambhabana Mohanty’s inspiring journey showcases her determination to balance her dreams of academic pursuit with the demands of stardom. With her commitment to both realms, she exemplifies the strength and resilience of women pursuing diverse paths in the entertainment industry.

Re-Reported from the story originally published in The Tribune.