Isha Dheerwani: Beautiful feeling to be part of a legacy that celebrates our roots

Isha Dheerwani, who plays the role of Disha in Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, which is produced under his banner Director’s Kut Production, is happy to be a part of the Gangaur sequence in the show, especially since she belongs to the state of Rajasthan, where the festival is celebrated on a grand scale.  She said, “It is such a beautiful feeling to be part of a legacy that celebrates our roots so vibrantly. Playing Disha during the Gangaur track feels like a dream to me.”  “Being a Jaipur girl, Gangaur is in my blood. I’ve grown up seeing the royal procession at City Palace and the streets of the Walled City buzzing with energy. So, when I stepped onto the set and saw the isars and gauris, I wasn’t ‘acting’ anymore—I was just being myself. It’s such a proud moment to represent my own Rajasthani roots on such a big platform,” she added.  She feels the passion with which the whole sequence is made makes it stand out. She said, “Most shows just use festivals as a backdrop for a plot twist, but here, the festival itself becomes the story. As someone who knows the real vibe of a Rajasthani celebration, I can confidently say the show captures that magic perfectly.”  For Isha, the sequence was personal, and she was happy that it was portrayed with utmost authenticity. She said, “People look at Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai as the gold standard for tradition. Keeping it authentic—from the shringaar to the kathas—is how we keep the soul of Rajasthan alive for millions who might never have experienced a real Gangaur celebration.”  She believes festivals like Gangaur help audiences reconnect with Indian traditions and cultural roots. She said, “In a world moving so fast toward modernization, seeing these festivals on screen is a beautiful reminder of where we come from. When a girl in a metro city sees Disha celebrating Gangaur with such grace, it might inspire her to call her dadi and ask about her own family traditions. It’s about keeping that mitti ki khushboo alive in a digital world.”  For her, the most challenging task was to balance the heavy poshak and jewelry while maintaining the thehraav Disha needs. She added, “It was physically exhausting under the lights, but the moment the folk music started, my Jaipur-girl energy just took over.”  She called Rajan a true visionary who understands that the heart of India lies in its families. “He has an unparalleled sense of creating ‘grandeur with soul.’ Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has maintained its gold standard for over a decade because it never compromises on its look, feel, or emotional depth. There is a certain purity in the way he presents family values and traditions—it makes the show feel like a warm hug. Being a part of Director’s Kut Production makes me feel truly blessed,” Isha added.