Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actress Samridhii Shukla: Women on-screen are changing and that keeps us relevant

Time of India

21 hours ago

Samridhii Shukla, who currently plays the lead role of Abhira in Rajan Shahi's long-running show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, believes that staying true to a show's original essence is what ultimately earns viewer loyalty.
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With the show in its 16th year, Samridhii says it is very important to stay relevant in order to survive.
'I think it's absolutely crucial. The core values and main plot are what hook the audience from the very beginning. That emotional and narrative foundation is what they come back for, episode after episode. So if you want the story to work long-term, you have to keep that essence intact and let it continue to weave through the story as it grows.
Evolution is important, yes—but not at the cost of the show's soul,' she says.
In a time when television viewers actively share their opinions on social media, she welcomes the dialogue.'Personally, I love reading comments and getting real-time feedback, whether it's criticism or appreciation. I think both are valuable. I'm someone who's very open to learning from what the audience feels. So, if I find something that really resonates or makes sense, I absolutely take it on board.
That said, when it comes to the overall storyline or creative direction, I'm not sure how much the writing team depends on audience feedback.
That's a different part of the process I'm not directly involved in. But speaking for myself: I listen, I observe, and I reflect,' she says.
Samridhii adds that the shifting portrayals of women characters on screen are why her show continues to strike a chord.
'That's always the tricky part.
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But what keeps it fresh—at least in our case—is constant adaptation. Our show has been running for 16 years, and it's managed to evolve with the times. For example, the first Akshara was a homemaker. But gradually, we started showing women who were ambitious, who wanted both family and a career. That's a huge shift in how women are portrayed—and it keeps things relatable, because art must imitate life.
If we keep reflecting real-world shifts, the show stays relevant, while still honouring its core.'
Evolution, she feels, should never come at the cost of consistency. 'Both are important, but I would say consistency in characterisation definitely holds more weight over time. Audiences get emotionally invested in characters—they grow with them. If a character suddenly changes for the sake of a twist, it breaks that trust. Plot twists are exciting, no doubt, but they only work if they grow organically from the characters we already know and care about,' she adds.
Navigating what the audience wants and what the story demands is a balancing act, says the actress, adding, 'That's really where the craft lies. You want to satisfy the emotional cravings of your audience, but at the same time, you want to surprise them, challenge them, even provoke them a little. I think it all comes down to storytelling. If your story is strong, and your characters are grounded in truth, you can take the audience anywhere—even to places they didn't expect to go.
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She adds, 'It's definitely a challenge. I honestly don't know how our creative team does it year after year! But again, I'll say this: story is king. A good story, well told, will always find an audience. And when you combine that with a good ensemble cast and a committed team—from production to direction—you create a kind of magic that lasts. We've been fortunate to have that. And as long as we stay rooted in the show's heart while allowing it to evolve, I believe we'll continue to stay relevant.
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