On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the beloved stars of the iconic show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, produced by the visionary Rajan Shahi, open up about the women who inspire them and the powerful female characters they portray on screen. Through their heartfelt words, we see a reflection of strength, love, and courage, qualities that define modern womanhood both in real life and in the stories we cherish.
Shruti Ulfat, who brings life to the character of Vidya, expresses, “I look up to my mother because she’s a beautiful homemaker and a wonderful friend to me. She’s the pillar of my strength. I wouldn’t have done anything without her. She’s always giving, selflessly serving, and looking after our family. I’m so fortunate and blessed to have her in my life, YRKKH is a beautiful and progressive show that balances culture and tradition with freedom and responsibility, and beauty. Our show highlights different perspectives on women’s strength and tradition. Maa sa (Anita Raj) is strong and independent but holds traditional views about women working outside. Abhira, raised by a single parent, stands up for what’s right. My character, Vidya, is an educated woman who believes in women’s independence but is bound by her traditional Rajasthani family’s expectations. Together, these characters reflect both cultural norms and the change we aspire to see. The show has been running for 16 years, and people still love it with the same passion. I feel blessed and happy to play Vidya, who is such a fantastic, performance-driven character. I’m giving my best and truly enjoying every moment of it.”
Samridhii Shukla, who plays the fierce and beautiful Abhira says, “I mostly look up to my mother. I think she has a lot of love to give. She’s a beautiful human being. The way she manages everything with a smile on her face while still doing so much for us is commendable. I take a lot of inspiration from her. Abhira herself is a very strong character, of course. She’s beautiful, she’s fierce, and she’s courageous in speaking the truth. I draw a lot of inspiration from her. But being strong doesn’t mean you’re strong all the time. It means that, circumstantially, you change. Abhira is weak in love; only love or the people you love are the ones who can make you weak, and they can also bring a lot of strength. I think the portrayal of modern women has changed on television, and I’m living that change.”
Garvita Sadhwani, known for her powerful portrayal of Ruhi, shares, “The woman I really look up to is my mom,” Garvita shares with heartfelt admiration. “I’ve always looked up to her, and I will always look up to her because I don’t think I’ve seen a woman like her, honestly. The strength she has, the willpower, the amount of hard work she puts in every day, it’s extraordinary. She is the strongest and most amazing person I know, my true strength. My mother has made me into the person that I am today. Everything that I am is all thanks to her. Ruhi is a very powerful character, and that’s what drew me to her. She runs high on emotions and has very strong beliefs. There were times recently when she stood up to Dadisa and Fufasa and fought with elders for her brother and sister, Abhir and Abhira. I think that’s incredibly powerful.”
