Ruhaanika Dhawan: It felt like watching my own mother step into motherhood

Ruhaanika Dhawan recently shared an emotional moment with her on-screen mother Divyanka Tripathi at the latter’s baby shower — a reunion that brought back years of shared memories from Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. Recalling the moment, Ruhaanika says, “The minute I stepped into the room and saw Ishima like that, I got extremely emotional. I started crying, and they were tears of joy. It felt like I was looking at my own mother step into motherhood, which is beautiful.”

Their bond, she adds, has remained intact long after the show wrapped. “We’ve always been in touch — thanks to social media, but also because we spent so many years working together. She’s seen me grow, on screen and off, so we’ve always known what’s happening in each other’s lives.” Describing their relationship, she adds, “She’s been a mother figure to me. I’ve always said I’m lucky to have two moms. At the same time, I’ve found a friend, a co-actor and a mentor in her.”

The celebration also brought with it a moment she won’t forget. “She told me something that really touched both my heart and my mother’s — ‘I hope my child grows up to be like you.’ That was so sweet and kind of her to say.”