PANDYA STORE STAR DISCUSSES HER ACTING JOURNEY AND HIT SHOW
ACTING was never part of the plan for Shiny Doshi.
She was modelling for TV commercials and print advertisements when a role in high-profile drama serial Saraswatichandra was offered to her in 2013. That terrific television debut triggered an acting obsession within her and started an impressive run of powerful performances in popular projects.
The beautiful model-turned-actress is continuing to delight audiences with a winning turn in her latest drama serial Pandya Store, which has been pulling in high ratings since it premiered in January 2021.
Eastern Eye caught up with fan favourite Shiny to discuss her time in television, Pandya Store, future hopes, lockdown life lessons and what she would love to master.
You have become an accomplished actress, but how did you feel starring in your debut serial Saraswatichandra alongside established stars?
Initially, it was very difficult and a little embarrassing too because I was new to
all this, and the show had some very talented people. So, I learned watching and observing them. There were times when I would go to my room and cry because I didn’t know a lot of things, but my mother kept me going. She would motivate me and tell me that I can do it. She would ask me to learn and observe other actors. Even when I was not in a scene I would sit behind the monitor and learn from the actors performing. I would observe the technicalities they kept in mind while doing a scene. I learned watching them and realised this is what I want to do and should be doing much more in this acting field.
Which of your characters have you most enjoyed?
I have enjoyed all my characters but the amount of popularity that I got in my debut show Saraswatichandra, where I played the role of Kusum, was huge. People loved me! I was new at that time and didn’t know much about acting, so instead of learning the lines, I would try to understand the scene.
Where did that kind of thought process come from?
My mother always told me that instead of learning the lines, I should understand the scene to get the right emotions and the right mood. That amount of love I got for my debut, I am getting the same in my current show Pandya Store, where I play the role of Dhara. I would say my first show has given me so much in life. (Smiles) Now with the same production house and the same channel, I am shining bright once again.
What has the experience of acting in Pandya Store been like?
When you start a new show it’s a little difficult initially. You need to bring a character to life and must be careful about the character’s mannerisms. But with each episode it became easy. When we were doing the workshop, (director) Pradip ji was very particular about every line that I used to speak. Even if I had a monologue of two to three pages, and if I would get stuck somewhere, he would ask me to start over again. That strict schooling has got me where I am today.
How much did that help you?
I used to go to the sets with a lot of enthusiasm and energy thinking that ‘Okay, I have to perform’, and since my director was so particular, I was much more careful. Pradip ji made sure that all my lines were said with the right emotion and that’s what helped me connect with the audience. Though Pradip ji is doing another show now, our current director also ensures that everything is just perfect, and I am enjoying every bit of it.
Why do you think Pandya Store is so loved by the audience?
I think people like watching family drama. They love watching the bond between a family. Families go through a lot of ups and downs in real life and when you see it on-screen, I feel that’s what helps in connecting with the viewers. In the show, my on-screen family is an average middle class one and they have been through a lot, and now with Covid, I feel everyone is going through a tough time and people can relate to the show. Also, shows like ours give hope to people that no matter what, we must stick together, and we will always emerge stronger and better.
What has it been like working during a pandemic?
You need to be careful and sanitise. You need to maintain a safe distance from people. Because work is not going to stop, you need to shoot and for that you need to move out of your comfort zone. The production house and the channel are taking utmost precautions. We are working with a minimal unit. So, it’s been good so far.
What is the biggest life lesson lockdown has taught you?
First, it taught me patience because I was shooting for a show in 2020 when the lockdown happened, and it was shut. So, it taught me to be patient and also that somethings are meant to end in life, so that you can have a new beginning. And when that show got shut down, I got Pandya Store. Second, I have never functioned without a maid in my house, but because of lockdown my maid couldn’t come. So, initially I faced a lot of problems; it felt like a task but when I started enjoying it, it felt nice. I realised that I was at least doing something productive in life.
What else did you learn?
I would always work out in the gym, but because of the lockdown I started working out at home and the kind of transformation I saw was better than what I got with the help of a gym or trainer. So I think because of lockdown I became more independent rather than being dependent on others.
What content do you enjoy watching?
I enjoy watching historical shows and scientific thrillers. They take you to a different world altogether and give you the feel and experience that you would not have in your actual life. I have recently binge-watched The Empire on HotStar.
What would be your dream role?
One of my favourite series is Game of Thrones, so I would like to play one of the strong Viking roles. My dream role would be playing a warrior on-screen.
If you could master something new what would it be?
I would like to master the skill of giving a perfect scene every time I face the camera. I think, for me, art is very important, so I would like to become a perfect multi-tasker; a great performer, who can dance, act and do other things perfectly.
What is your idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is having acceptance of everything that life is throwing at
you, be it good or bad. Learn from the bad and cherish the good ones in life. You must find joy in the little things. Don’t let anything stop you from what you are doing. Have acceptance for your failure as well because that’s when you rise and shine in life
Karan Johar revealed how a troll's comment made him question raising kids without a mother.
The filmmaker broke down after reading the remark but found comfort in his children’s response.
Yash and Roohi, born via surrogacy in 2017, told him they’re happy “because you’re our dada”.
Johar credits his close friends and chosen family for supporting him through parenting challenges.
Karan Johar has shared a deeply personal moment about the emotional toll of being a single parent, revealing how one hurtful online comment briefly made him question his choice to raise his twins without a mother. In a recent interview, the filmmaker recalled breaking down after reading the remark and turning to his children for reassurance.
In the interview, the Rocky Aur Rani director recalled reading a troll’s comment that said, “Do you realise you’ve denied your children a mother?” The words struck a nerve. “That broke my heart. For the first time, I doubted myself,” Karan admitted.
The very next morning, still affected, he walked into his children’s room and asked the five-year-olds a question no parent should have to ask: “Are you happy?” Their response? “Yes, because you’re our dada” was all the validation he needed. “It gave me strength,” he said. “Say what you want, I’m proud to be their single parent.”
Yash and Roohi, born via surrogacy in 2017, told him they’re happy “because you’re our dada”Instagram/karanjohar
Karan Johar on parenting without a partner: ‘I do double duty on every front’
Johar, who became a single father through surrogacy in 2017 at age 44, spoke candidly about the realities of raising children without a partner or sibling for support. “I’m an only child and a single parent,” he said. “But my found family and my closest friends have filled in the gaps with endless love.”
He described navigating parent-teacher meetings, school WhatsApp groups filled with mothers, and balancing both roles at home as “daunting but fulfilling”.
Why Yash and Roohi’s names hold emotional meaning for Karan
Karan named his son Yash in honour of his late father, producer Yash Johar, and daughter Roohi as a rearrangement of his mother Hiroo’s name. “They represent the two most important people in my life,” he shared.
Despite moments of doubt, Johar says he has no regrets. “I waited for love to happen before becoming a parent. But in the end, love came in the form of my children.”
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Scarlett Johansson attends the "Jurassic World Rebirth" photocall
Scarlett Johansson says early roles focused on “desirability” and male-centred narratives
Notes positive shift in how women are portrayed in Hollywood today
Recalls being hypersexualised and typecast as a young actress
Currently stars in The Phoenician Scheme, with Jurassic World Rebirth out on 2 July
Scarlett Johansson has reflected on how Hollywood roles for women have evolved, admitting that early in her career, most of her characters were written to serve male-driven storylines. Speaking in an interview, the actress said the landscape has changed, with more nuanced opportunities for women on screen.
The Black Widow star, who began acting at nine, noted a shift in the kinds of roles she’s being offered now. “When I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered had their ambitions or arcs revolving around their desirability or the male gaze,” she said. “That is less frequent now; something has shifted.”
Scarlett Johansson opens up about breaking free from early typecastingGetty Images
Johansson says more complex roles are finally being written for women
The 39-year-old actress acknowledged that the film industry is slowly embracing more layered portrayals of women. “The messaging is different now; there are more role models, women in visible and powerful positions, and roles that aren’t just one-note,” she said.
Scarlett has long been vocal about the way she was sexualised early on in her career. In a 2022 interview, she admitted that being objectified in Hollywood made her fear she’d be stuck playing the same type of roles. “I kind of became pigeonholed… I remember thinking, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old,’” she said.
Johansson reflects on her childhood stardom and evolving careerGetty Images
From child star to filmmaker, Johansson now takes control of the narrative
Having debuted in North (1994), Scarlett went on to star in Lost in Translation, The Horse Whisperer, Ghost World, and the Avengers franchise. Now, she’s not just acting; she’s also directing. Her first feature, Eleanor the Great, premiered at Cannes in May.
From Avengers to auteur Scarlett Johansson embraces creative control Getty Images
Alongside her current role in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, she has Jurassic World Rebirth, which hit theatres on 2 July. After decades in the business, Johansson seems to finally be stepping into a space where she can define her own story, both on and off the screen.
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Flying car mishap forces Beyoncé to pause Houston performance mid-song
Beyoncé stopped her Houston Cowboy Carter show after her suspended Cadillac prop tilted dangerously.
The singer was performing 16 Carriages mid-air when she yelled, “Stop! Stop!” to halt the show.
She was safely lowered to the stage and told fans, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me.”
Parkwood Entertainment confirmed a technical mishap but said the show resumed without injuries.
Beyoncé stopped her Cowboy Carter tour performance in Houston after a mid-air prop began to tilt precariously during the penultimate song. The singer, perched in a suspended red Cadillac high above the crowd, abruptly cut the song 16 Carriages short when the vehicle began to slant.
The dramatic moment unfolded on Saturday night at NRG Stadium, where Beyoncé was performing a sold-out hometown show. The car, typically used as a soaring stage prop, began to tip sideways as she sang, prompting her to clutch a pole for stability and shout, “Stop! Stop, stop, stop!”
Fans gasped as the vehicle leaned further mid-song. Video clips posted online show Beyoncé remaining composed before being slowly lowered to the ground. Once safely back on stage, she smiled at the crowd and said, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me.”
Beyoncé halts Cowboy Carter show after flying car nearly tips over crowd in HoustonGetty Images
Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, later confirmed the incident was due to a “technical mishap” with the cables holding the Cadillac. “She was quickly lowered, and no one was injured,” the statement read. “The show continued without incident.”
This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has experienced prop malfunctions during a live show. Earlier this year, a robot bartender missed pouring her drink on cue, and during her 2018 On The Run II tour, a broken platform forced her to climb down a ladder while wearing heels.
Beyoncé fans react as ‘Queen B’ keeps cool mid-crisis
Fans quickly took to social media with reactions ranging from concern to humour, many quoting her old on-stage catchphrase: “Somebody’s getting fired.” Others expressed admiration for how calmly she handled the situation, finishing the concert without missing a beat.
The Houston show marked the 23rd stop on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, which ends in Las Vegas next month. The three-hour spectacle, featuring country-infused ballads, fan favourites, and her daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi, continues to smash venue records worldwide.
With sharp wit, emotional honesty and a knack for turning personal crises into punchlines, Indian comedian Prashasti Singh is set to make her Edinburgh Fringe debut this August with her acclaimed stand-up show, Divine Feminine. Before taking on the world’s biggest arts festival, she will offer London audiences a sneak peek with previews at Soho Theatre from 23 to 26 July.
Prashasti, known globally for her appearances on Netflix’s Ladies Up, Comedy Premium League and Amazon Prime’s Comicstaan, uses this deeply personal new show to unpack the consequences of chasing a dream that might not have been hers to begin with. Raised in a patriarchal family, she once aspired to become a patriarch herself. Now, inching towards 40 and pretending to be 30, she wonders – was it all worth it?
A blend of silliness, angst, cultural insight and raw emotional truth, Divine Feminine is the Indian funny girl’s boldest, most introspective work yet. As she prepares for Edinburgh, she opens up about the journey, nerves and joy of revealing just a little too much on stage.
How do you reflect on your action-packed comedy journey so far?
Oh, it has been great! A lot of luck and of course some challenges. I stumbled upon stand-up at the verge of 30 while still at my marketing job. The stars aligned in a way that it became my profession before it truly became my passion. The initial years were mostly about getting on stage as much as possible and delivering what was expected of me. I think in the last couple of years, I have finally understood myself as an artist and performer, and with this show, I am at last finding my voice.
How much does the success of Divine Feminine mean to you? I have travelled with this show across India, Europe and Australia and have been overwhelmed by the love it has received. The Hindi version is 1.5 hours long and performing it has given me immense confidence and security as an artist. That is also why I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and write a version of the show in English to reach a more global audience. The process has been very enriching, and I am very curious to see how a more diverse audience will respond.
How much are you looking forward to taking the show to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe? Very, very excited. I have visited the festival a couple of times before and have always wondered how it would feel to be a performer at such a big and vibrant festival. This year I will get to experience that.
What can audiences expect from your show? Some very silly, some very angsty jokes, some cultural, some human insights and a lot of emotional truth.
Do you ever feel like you are revealing too much about yourself on stage? I do feel that I reveal a lot about myself, but I do not think it is a problem. I feel whatever inside me is finding expression in humour is no longer raw or volatile. It has been processed enough internally that I am able to laugh at it, and hence feel safe putting it out in front of people.
How do you feel when you are on stage in front of a live audience? It is always the best part of my day. I feel very good.
Does being at a festival like Edinburgh, with thousands of acts, put pressure on you or motivate you? I think it does both. I have seen some mind-blowing shows at the Fringe in past years, so I want my show to be a respectful offering in this amazing buffet. At the same time, the Fringe is a place where artists and audiences are most open to experiments. So I feel motivated to try new things and take some risks that I would otherwise shy away from.
What is the comedy master plan going forward? There is no master plan. I am working on a very simple philosophy – do work that I enjoy and people enjoy, and then find ways to grow that work and the number of people who enjoy it.
What inspires you creatively? Great work by other artists. The drive for excellence. People who are brave enough to put out their original, twisted thoughts in front of others. That is why being at the Fringe is so exciting.
Who is your comedy hero? Oh, this is a long list. So many people have done such great work before me. It is really very difficult to name just one.
Who is the funniest person you know in real life? One aunt of mine who has had a fairly tough life. She reminds me that humour is a great life skill beyond the stage.
Has being funny ever got you out of trouble? Absolutely never.
Why should we all come and watch Divine Feminine at the Edinburgh Fringe? See, if you have come this far, you are already hooked. Also, if you have ever thought that you could be losing your sanity or femininity, if you have ever felt old or joyless or lonely or not perfect in any way – the show is for you. It is funny, insightful and fairly honest. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the Fringe.
Charli XCX criticised certain fans for attacking her autotuned vocals at Glastonbury 2025.
Called the backlash “the most boring take ever” in a series of posts on X.
Defended her artistic choices, saying divisive art is often the most impactful.
Her Brat set clashed with Neil Young’s headline act, drawing polarising reactions.
Charli XCX has addressed criticism over her use of autotune during her Glastonbury 2025 performance, calling out the ageist tone of comments that questioned her authenticity as a performer. The singer clapped back on X, brushing off the noise as outdated and out of touch.
Charli XCX defends her Glastonbury set, calling autotune criticism outdated and dull BBC
Charli XCX defends Glastonbury set from autotune critics
During her Brat set on the Other Stage, Charli delivered fan favourites like “365” and “Von Dutch” to a roaring crowd. But online, some viewers slammed her use of autotune and lack of a live band. In a sharp response the next day, she posted: “The idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud… is like, the most boring take ever. Yawn.”
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Charli has long been open about using autotune deliberately as an artistic tool. In earlier interviews, she said she intentionally includes “pitchy” moments in her vocals to add texture and imperfection. Responding to the online backlash, she added: “I enjoy the discourse… the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture.”
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Brat performance draws strong reactions, both love and hate
Charli’s set, held opposite Neil Young’s headline slot, split Glastonbury attendees and online viewers alike. Despite the criticism, her show was widely praised by critics.
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Highlights included a cameo from fellow performer Gracie Abrams during the viral “Apple” dance segment. Charli ended her performance drenched in stage rain, sipping white wine, with giant signs declaring “Brat is forever.”
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After her set, Charli joined her fiancé George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, for an intimate DJ session, keeping the Brat Summer spirit alive.