Exclusive - Samridhii Shukla on overnight changes and Shehzada Dhami and Pratiksha Honemukhe's ouster from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai: It felt very new like it was my day one

Samridhii Shukla, known for her role as Abhira in "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai," recently spoke with ETimes TV about her show, facing new challenges, and more. She discussed the responsibility of carrying the show's 15-year legacy after the generation leap and the sudden departure of her co-stars Shehzada Dhami and Pratiksha Honemukhe. She mentioned feeling the weight of the show's legacy on her shoulders and likened the situation to starting afresh on day 1 of "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai." (Photo: Instagram)

I feel blessed that I get to portray such strong characters. I’m absolutely thrilled also my relatability with these characters increases because I personally believe in characters which teaches you something or that tries to bring a new point of view or tries to portray women stronger which Abhira and Savi both were. Abhira and Savi both are two different personalities but they both stood for what is right and they were very ambitious. Of course, they loved their men and family but were very focused. They both love their families and I’m very fortunate that I’m offered such roles. (Photo: Instagram)

I’ve only done two shows in my career. But with my last show, I was completely new and it was a new show altogether, had that show not worked, everyone would have taken the responsibility. But had the leap in Yeh Rishta not worked, I would have been blamed for it and that is how different Savi Ki Sawari and Yeh Rishta were for me. Yeh Rishta has worked generations by generations and everyone has given their full dedication to the show. So many people have been invested in the show for 8-10 years. So this generation not working out would have been a personal failure. (Photo: Instagram)

Jitna Abhi pyaar mil raha hai, ohh she is the new lead. I was like if this doesn’t work, I would be blamed. The show did not work because of her. Although actors are not the only factor, they are the face. The previous generations all of them have worked so obviously it would come on the main lead. It is inevitable. But I’m so glad that the course of action did not happen. The show is successfully running. (Photo: Instagram)

It did not bother me, but the thought definitely was on my mind, what if this golden opportunity turns into something I don’t want to imagine. But it didn’t. I’m happy. More than pressure there was a responsibility that I have fulfilled and gave my everything to it and it should work. (Photo: Instagram)

Just think about the producer Rajan Shahi sir, the channel, they have given Yeh Rishta’s 15 years legacy on my shoulders. They have given a golden egg and given it to me. I’ve done nothing. I didn’t hatch it, did nothing. What I had to do is just maintain it or just take it to new heights, but I can’t let it fall. I’m just moving ahead in the show with this aim. (Photo: Instagram)

There were overnight changes but as an actor I should be flexible enough to work with everyone. I work for my producer, the show and the channel so they can pair me with anyone and me as Abhira, my responsibility becomes to create the same magic. Of course, it was new, it was challenging but not for very long. For Rohit stepping into a show where the chemistry has already been established and he has to just come and effortlessly play Armaan. It is not an easy task for him, everyone takes their own time and now it is working out pretty well for everyone. (Photo: Instagram)

I felt very new and I felt like I was on my day one. It is not a very good feeling. On day one there’s a lot of nervousness and I was like my maximum scenes were with Shehzada and Pratiksha. Now, they have been replaced and by then I had not met Rohit and Garvita, I don’t know how they act, how the chemistry will be, but I’ve to say that both of them are such lovely people that the thought just disappeared. The moment I spoke to them, I understood that it was going to be a fun ride and now we are almost like friends. It is going really well. (Photo: Instagram)