There are actors who chase stardom for decades. And then there’s Samridhii Shukla — a young actress who walked into her second-ever TV show and landed the lead role in one of Indian television’s longest-running and most beloved dramas. Three years in, and she still pinches herself about it.
In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, Samridhii got candid about the surreal journey of being handpicked by producer Rajan Shahi for Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai — and why she still questions why he chose her.
Samridhii Shukla — Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samridhii Shukla |
| Profession | Actress & Voiceover Artist |
| Debut Show | Saavi Ki Savaari (as Saavi Goyal Dalmiya) |
| Current Show | Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai |
| Character | Abhira Sharma Poddar |
| Co-star | Rohit Purohit |
| Producer | Rajan Shahi, Director’s Kut Productions |
| On YRKKH Since | 2023 |
| Generation Leading | 4th generation of the show |
| Network | Star Plus |
“Divine Timing, Not Just Luck” — Samridhii’s Own Words
Samridhii doesn’t just call herself lucky — she goes a step further and attributes her casting to something beyond human explanation. Talking to Pinkvilla, she described the moment as divine timing, saying hard work is something she does every single day, but landing Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai as only her second show? That, she says, belongs to a higher force entirely.
What makes her gratitude even more striking is the context. YRKKH has been running since 2009. Three generations of lead actors have already won over massive audiences before Samridhii’s entry. Walking in as the fourth-generation lead — with no established fan base, no prior hit show to fall back on — was a leap of extraordinary faith, both from producer Rajan Shahi and from Samridhii herself.
Why Rajan Shahi’s Choice Still Surprises Her
Even after three years, Samridhii admits she still wonders what made Shahi — one of India’s most seasoned TV producers — take a chance on a relatively new face for such a high-stakes role.
She told Pinkvilla: “I didn’t have any fan backing. I had just come, but it still astonishes me.”
That kind of self-awareness is rare in the industry. And it’s perhaps precisely this grounded quality that made her the right choice for Abhira — a character who needed someone real, not just recognisable.
From Voice Work to Leading YRKKH — A Career Worth Watching
Samridhii started out as a voiceover artist before transitioning to acting. Her debut as Saavi in Saavi Ki Savaari gave her a foundation, but YRKKH gave her a platform. The show now airs on Star Plus and streams on Disney+ Hotstar, reaching millions of viewers daily.
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