EXCLUSIVE: Samridhii Shukla on Abhira’s impact, finding inner strength and why family matters more than elaborate birthday celebrations
Birthdays often offer an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, and for Samridhii Shukla, the occasion is as much about gratitude as it is about celebrating another year of life. The actress, who has become a familiar face in Indian households with her portrayal of Abhira Poddar in Star Plus’ long-running show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, believes that the past year has taught her valuable lessons about family, resilience and self-worth.
As Abhira, the spirited lawyer who is now married to another Armaan Poddar, played by Rohit Purohit, Samridhii has earned considerable affection from viewers. While the character continues to enjoy a special place in the audience’s hearts, the actress admits that the love surrounding Abhira has also brought about a significant change in her own life.
Looking back at the year gone by, Samridhii identifies family as her biggest source of strength. “I feel family is the one constant that stands by you through every phase of life, and right now, they are my biggest pillar of strength,” she says. She is equally grateful for the opportunity to work every day and pursue something she genuinely loves, along with the affection and appreciation she continues to receive from people.
One of the biggest realisations of the year, however, has been discovering her own resilience. “One thing I have learnt about myself is that I am much stronger than I give myself credit for. There were times when I doubted my own strength, but this year has made me realise that I am, in fact, quite strong,” the actress reflects.
The appreciation she receives for playing Abhira has also played an important role in shaping her confidence. Describing the audience’s love as instrumental in her journey, Samridhii says, “It has given me newfound confidence and so much unconditional love and appreciation. It has shaped me into a more confident actor and, as a person, I feel much more appreciated.”
She particularly values how viewers celebrate milestones that can sometimes get lost in the everyday demands of a television schedule. Whether it is completing 1,000 episodes, marking three years on the show or winning an award, the audience makes sure that these moments receive their due recognition. “When you are working every day, sometimes you get caught up in the routine and become immune to your own milestones. But the audience constantly reminds you to pause and celebrate these moments,” she explains.
Over the years, Samridhii’s understanding of success and happiness has also evolved. Today, she measures success through her ability to fulfil professional responsibilities and do justice to the work entrusted to her. She also finds happiness in life’s everyday comforts and the people she can genuinely depend on. “As you grow older, you realise that you don’t need a large circle; you just need a few people who genuinely want the best for you,” she says.
This shift in perspective is also reflected in the way she approaches birthdays. While she was once someone who had elaborate expectations and looked forward to being celebrated, showered with gifts and appreciated, she now prefers to let the day unfold naturally. Her ideal celebration is simple: spending time with loved ones without worrying about elaborate arrangements.
In fact, her recent Diwali celebrations offered a glimpse into the kind of happiness she values. With no particular plans, she spent time at home with her family, enjoying her mother’s home-cooked Kashmiri pulao, chole puri and basundi. The experience reinforced her belief that celebrations do not necessarily need to be planned to be memorable. She also acknowledges the pressure of the Instagram-driven world, where there is often an expectation to make every occasion look picture-perfect. For Samridhii, preserving her authenticity matters more.
That outlook is perhaps rooted in the lessons she has learnt while growing up. If she could meet her younger self, the actress would simply tell her to relax and trust that everything would eventually fall into place. Describing herself as an extremely sensitive and empathetic person, she admits that learning to establish boundaries has been an important part of her personal growth.
“Today, I have understood that other people’s actions are often a reflection of what they are dealing with themselves and don’t necessarily have anything to do with me. I have learnt not to take everything personally, and that is something I wish I had understood earlier,” she shares.
Beyond her television commitments, Samridhii is also looking forward to exploring digital media more actively in the coming year. She hopes to experiment with Instagram, create content and gradually build a community where she can express herself more freely. However, the actress admits that stepping outside her comfort zone will take some effort, given that she considers herself an introvert.
“I also want whatever I create to feel extremely organic and authentic. I don’t want it to feel forced or like I am trying to show a particular side of myself. I think this is about slowly coming out of my shell, and I am sure I will get there,” she says.
Interestingly, her birthday also coincides with Children’s Day, making the occasion particularly meaningful because of a cherished childhood tradition. Samridhii recalls how her father would bring her a red rose every year, associating it with the tradition of Chacha Nehru. He would also narrate stories about freedom fighters, a subject that was close to the family’s heart, considering her great-grandparents’ involvement in the freedom struggle. Her great-grandfather even served as an MLA in Kanpur for a brief period.
She also remembers looking forward to Children’s Day celebrations at school, particularly the opportunity to wear casual clothes instead of her uniform and distribute candies to her classmates. However, the day usually coincided with a school holiday. Looking at the affection and recognition she receives today, the actress feels those missed celebrations have been more than compensated for.
“Looking at how many people celebrate my birthday today and shower me with love, I feel life has made up for all those missed school celebrations. The recognition and affection I receive, even from people I have never met, are truly overwhelming. What more could I ask for?” she concludes.
For Samridhii Shukla, then, another birthday is not about grand celebrations or a long list of expectations. It is about acknowledging the people who have stood by her, appreciating the journey that has brought her here and finding the confidence to embrace everything that lies ahead.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Samridhii Shukla on Abhira’s impact, finding inner strength and why family matters more than elaborate birthday celebrations appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.