SUPER hit TV serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has launched a lot of stars into the sky and one of them is Shilpa Raizada.
The talented actress started work on the globally successful show in 2016 after delivering winning performances in other dramas. Four years later, she has made the character of Surekha Goenka her own and regularly shows off her impressive range in the hit serial.
Eastern Eye caught up with Shilpa to speak about acting, working on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and her future hopes.
What first connected you to acting?
I remember wanting to see myself on the screen from a young age and this led me towards pursuing a career that could make that happen. (Smiles) And here I am.
How do you look back at your decade-long journey working on Indian television?
I am doing what I love so, yes, am feeling good about it, but I am also still learning and looking forward to taking on more challenges.
What has the whole Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai experience been like?
It has been absolutely amazing. I am thankful for the experience, the crew and fellow cast members.
What has been your favourite moment from this Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai experience?
Although the show itself has given me lovely experiences, my favourite part is the reaction of fans whenever I am out and encounter them.
Why do you think the show is so super successful?
It is very relatable. The content of the show is same as in real life also, so people feel the same experience in their life. And it’s a grounded Indian show, full of values, relationships, family and marriages. It is also a great costume drama in its own right, I feel.
Looking ahead, what would be your dream role?
I want to do a very challenging role like a dual personality, someone who is a bit psycho. I also want to do a full-on comedy and take on a romantic role. I just want to keep attempting different characters.
Who are your acting heroes?
No one! I, me and myself am my hero.
What do you enjoy watching as an audience member?
When I do get time I like watching comedy shows and suspense thrillers.
Why do you love being an actress?
I just enjoy playing different characters and exploring new emotions. Basically, I just want to touch and feel the emotions of a human being. As a woman, I feel we we go through lots of experiences in our life and I want to use that to portray diverse characters, and in the process, show my versatility as an actress.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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