Meet the cast of Big Girls Don't Cry! From Pooja Bhatt to Avantika Vandanapu, who plays what in Prime Video's upcoming series

Prime Video has announced the new series, Big Girls Don't Cry, which delves into the young adult genre. Young girls play a variety of roles in the Nitya Mehra-created series, including Avantika Vandanapu (Ludo), Aneet Padda (Roohi), Dalai (Pluggy), Vidushi (Kavya), Lhakyila (JC), Afrah Sayed (Noor), and Akshita Sood (Dia). Pooja Bhatt joins them as Anita Verma, the principal of Vandana Valley Boarding School. Ahead of the release of Big Girls Don't Cry, let's take a look at the lead cast and the characters they are playing in detail.

Check it out below:

Pooja Bhatt plays the strict and no-nonsense principal of Vandana Valley Girls School, and it's her return to the world of OTT after her successful stint on Bigg Boss OTT Season 2. Pooja stated that the story, location, and characters in Big Girls Don't Cry captivated her, leading her to accept the role. It was a blast to play Anita Verma, since the actor-filmmaker was a defiant teenager who never hid her opinions or challenged authority. Pooja thought it was great that the series encouraged its characters to embrace who they are and fight against gender stereotypes and bias. This was critical, in her opinion, because it guarantees that they will grow up to be positive examples for other people. According to her, in a time when materialistic and frivolous characteristics are the norm, it is much needed.

Avanika, who left an impressive mark as iconic Karen in Mean Girls: The Musical, is set to make her debut on OTT screens with Big Girls Don't Cry. She plays the role of Leah Joseph, aka Ludo, who is the basketball champion of the school with a secret that she has been keeping from everyone around her. The chance to portray Ludo in the series was a once-in-a lifetime experience, according to Avantika. Thinking back on her time on set with her girls and the amazing women she worked with, such as Nitya Mehra and Ashi Dua, fills her with immense gratitude. In more ways than one, it's bizarre to leave a show playing pretend best buddies and then have it come true. Ludo tested Avantika's mettle, scared her, and ultimately broke her. Ludo also encouraged, reassured, and helped the actor get back on her feet. Avantika hopes that the audience will be as moved by her story as she was.

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Aneet Padda was earlier seen in Salaam Venky as the visually impaired girl, and now she is seen as a rebellious young adult in the series. The actor elaborated that she has always been drawn to coming-of-age stories because the journey of self-discovery and grappling with identity resonates deeply with her. It was a tremendous honour to be a part of a production that shows the ups and downs of growing up in an honest way. A cathartic transformation occurs only when Roohi hits rock bottom, and Aneet hopes she uses her humour and sass, her aggressive and occasionally possessive love for her friends, and all the other messy emotions that accompany being a teenager to guide the audience through them. Life imitates art, and she has formed a group of gal pals who comfort each other by saying, "Big girls don't cry" as they wipe away their tears.

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Big Girls Don't Cry gave Dalai the chance to relive her teenage years. After being a part of Made in Heaven Season One and Eternally Confused and Eager for Love, she is set to be seen as a schoolgirl who has been dealing with failures, body image issues, and what not. Talking about the same, Dalai said that coming of age in a sisterhood is the most mysterious, magical, and fun journey. She couldn't have asked for a more unique group of female friends, and it was wonderful to remember being Pluggy. Thanks to Big Girls Don't Cry, the actor now has lifelong sisters, and she is so excited for everyone to go on this crazy adventure with them.

Kavya enters the boarding school out of nowhere on a scholarship and shows her prowess as an all-rounder. She is, however, made to feel outside no matter what, and while sharing her thoughts, the young actor said that she was very impacted from the start by the genuine intentions behind this series. Putting oneself in Kavya's position has been a tremendously satisfying experience. Taking on the role of Kavya, Vidushi said that she is confident that viewers will connect with the story of this very ordinary girl on a journey to pursue her extraordinary dreams, balancing family expectations while trying to fit in and prove herself, navigating the advantages of privilege, and ultimately discovering her value just as she is.

Newcomer Lhakyila plays the role of JC, who comes from a royal family, but her girls are her comfort for everything, especially her best friend, Roohi. The actor remarked that being a part of this incredible girl gang has been a dream come true, and stepping into her shoes has been an incredible experience for her. Thanks to JC, she has grown stronger as a person. They had a great time working on it, and she hopes the audience does, too.

Afrah Sayed will portray Noor in Big Girls Don't Cry after Rana Naidu. The actor plays the ambitious school captain who has set her goals straight. Talking about her character, she revealed that she has always wanted to be a part of this show. She auditioned for Big Girls Don't Cry in 2020. The connection between them made it feel right to become Noor. Noor is very intelligent, very focused, and quite strategic, and a Noor is someone you know or someone you are. Afrah, who comes from an all-girls school, would definitely binge-watch a coming-of-age show set at a girls boarding school. She hopes the audience has as much fun watching it as they had making it. She has made some wonderful friends through this series, and she will be forever thankful for that.

Akshita Sood has faced the camera for the first time in Big Girls Don't Cry, and playing Dia has been an adventure in self-discovery for her. The character instilled in her the values of being authentic, steadfast in following her heart, and steadfast in standing firm for what she believes in. When she was back in school on the Big Girls Don't Cry set, Akshita met the strongest, most supportive group of female friends with whom she will always be inseparable.

Big Girls Don't Cry also stars Mukul Chadda, Raima Sen, and Zoya Hussain in supporting roles. The series will premiere on Prime Video on March 14, 2024.

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