Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘It was an unusual story’

by ASJAD NAZIR

Taboo-busting TV serial Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki has been one of the biggest success stories from the past decade and integral to that has been the path-breaking role played by Rubina Dilaik.


After more than 900 episodes, the acclaimed actress has quit the serial, but left an impressive legacy and inspired everyone from writers to actors to think out of the box.

Eastern Eye caught up with Rubina to talk about her time on a series that transformed television and her future plans.

When you took on the role in Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki did you expect it to make an impact?

Honestly, I prayed it did, but wasn’t sure. It was such a risk that the first few months really felt as if I was walking on eggshells.

Why do you think the serial has been successful?

There are various reasons, including it being a unique concept, which was never experimented with on Indian TV. My character, Saumya, was that of an intersex, yet the role was written so well, that everyone could relate to her life. The audience welcomed the storytelling with such open arms that the creators were encouraged to explore further in the story.

What has been your fondest memory of working on the show?

The entire journey has been so incredible that it will remain with me for the rest of my life. I have been on this crazy rollercoaster and don’t have any regrets.

What was the most challenge part of the role?

The biggest challenge was the character itself. It was an unusual story with little facts known about the third gender (especially in our society). I had to unlearn everything and work with a fresh attitude and raw state of mind.

How do you stay motivated when you are doing so many episodes on a popular show?

On a show, there are at least 200 people employed. It’s a source of income for hundreds of families. Any content driven show gives hope to its audience and many creative minds work on it. And Shakti was all of this. I was motivated every single day because I was grateful for everything my show had to offer.

Was it a difficult decision to leave and what made you want to?

It was difficult to part ways with a show that had become a second home. With a generation leap happening, the reins were no more in my hands. I am a challenge driven personality and have to be on the driving seat to ensure my full commitment to any endeavour. With Shakti, I took responsibility for my mistakes, shared success with my team and my each day was filled with purpose because I was doing a project that I cared about.

What is the next plan?

These days I am taking life as it is happening, and soon I am going on a sabbatical to recalibrate my mental, physical and spiritual health.

What’s your dream role?

I want to do a biopic on Kalpana Chawla. She was my hero in school, and I was fascinated by aeronautics and astronomy. I wish that if I couldn’t study then I can at least live my dream now.

What do you enjoy watching on TV?

I enjoy watching reality shows on TV.

What inspires you most?

Reaching out to millions and taking them on a journey with a character is the most inspiring aspect of being an actor.

More For You

World Curry Festival 2025

The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations

World Curry Festival

Bradford’s first curry house traced back to 1942 ahead of World Curry Festival

Highlights:

  • Research for the World Curry Festival uncovered evidence of a curry house in Bradford in 1942.
  • Cafe Nasim, later called The Bengal Restaurant, is thought to be the city’s first.
  • The discovery coincides with Bradford’s City of Culture celebrations.
  • Festival events will include theatre, lectures, and a street food market.

Historic discovery in Bradford’s food heritage

Bradford’s claim as the curry capital of Britain has gained new historical depth. Organisers of the World Curry Festival have uncovered evidence that the city’s first curry house opened in 1942.

Documents revealed that Cafe Nasim, later renamed The Bengal Restaurant, once stood on the site of the current Kashmir Restaurant on Morley Street. Researcher David Pendleton identified an advert for the cafe in the Yorkshire Observer dated December 1942, describing it as “Bradford’s First Indian Restaurant”.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Dilemmas of dating in a digital world

We are living faster than ever before

AMG

​Dilemmas of dating in a digital world

Shiveena Haque

Finding romance today feels like trying to align stars in a night sky that refuses to stay still

When was the last time you stumbled into a conversation that made your heart skip? Or exchanged a sweet beginning to a love story - organically, without the buffer of screens, swipes, or curated profiles? In 2025, those moments feel rarer, swallowed up by the quickening pace of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
sugary drinks and ice cream

Researchers from the UK and US analysed data from American households between 2004 and 2019

iStock

Global warming may drive higher consumption of sugary drinks and ice cream, study warns

Highlights:

  • Hotter days linked to greater intake of sugary drinks and frozen desserts
  • Lower-income households most affected, research finds
  • Climate change could worsen health risks linked to sugar consumption
  • Study based on 15 years of US household food purchasing data

Sugary consumption rising with heat

People are more likely to consume sugary drinks and ice cream on warmer days, particularly in lower-income households, according to new research. The study warns that climate change could intensify this trend, adding to health risks as global temperatures continue to rise.

Sugar consumption is a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and has surged worldwide in recent decades. The findings, published in Nature Climate Change, suggest that rising heat could be nudging more people towards high-sugar products such as soda, juice and ice cream.

Keep ReadingShow less
Camellia Panjabi's cookbook elevates
vegetables from sides to stars

Camellia Panjabi (Photo: Ursula Sierek)

Camellia Panjabi's cookbook elevates vegetables from sides to stars

RESTAURATEUR and writer Camellia Panjabi puts the spotlight on vegetables in her new book, as she said they were never given the status of a “hero” in the way fish, chicken or prawns are.

Panjabi’s Vegetables: The Indian Way features more than 120 recipes, with notes on nutrition, Ayurvedic insights and cooking methods that support digestion.

Keep ReadingShow less
Spotting the signs of dementia

Priya Mulji with her father

Spotting the signs of dementia

How noticing the changes in my father taught me the importance of early action, patience, and love

I don’t understand people who don’t talk or see their parents often. Unless they have done something to ruin your lives or you had a traumatic childhood, there is no reason you shouldn’t be checking in with them at least every few days if you don’t live with them.

Keep ReadingShow less