Sonia Balani's 'DDLJ' connection

Mumbai: TV actress Sonia Balani, who plays a romantic girl in the TV opera "Tu Mera Hero", says she is a die-hard fan of 1995 Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol-starrer romantic drama film "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", and that she takes inspiration from the Bollywood entertainer for her role.

Sonia, who came into the spotlight with her role as Peehu in "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", says the film has inspired her a lot and has helped her in essaying a romantic and full-of-dreams girl in the show.

"Panchhi is very romantic. To do a character like that, I did a lot of preparations by watching various romantic films, especially 'DDLJ'. I don't think there is any better romantic film than this. I took a lot of inspiration from it to learn how to romance," she said.

"I'm not at all romantic off-screen. So, to do a role opposite to my real image was difficult," she added.

Asked whether her character in "Tu Mera Hero" is similar to that of Kajol's Simran in "DDLJ", Sonia said: "Panchhi is a fresh character. I have not copied it from anywhere. I have just taken inspiration from films. Being a youngster, I try to play a character in a unique way and try not to copy it from anywhere."

The show, which airs on Star Plus, also stars Priyanshu Jora and Akhilendra Mishra in pivotal roles.