Samridhii Shukla on Evolving Storytelling: “Flawed Characters Feel Real”
Actress Samridhii Shukla, known for her role in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, talks about how television narratives are shifting towards flawed yet relatable characters, the rise of influencers in acting, and her dream to explore rom-com and thriller genres.
Flawed Is the New Perfect
Samridhii Shukla believes television is finally embracing realism. Speaking about the kind of stories that connect with audiences today, she said, “I think the shows that do well in today’s time are the shows where the characters are relatable. Nowadays, we are writing stories, and we are building characters that are flawed.”
According to her, even central characters like heroes and heroines are no longer perfect role models. “We can be the central character of the story but still be imperfect. They don’t always make the right choices and that’s real life. Humans are flawed, and that’s what makes them relatable,” she explained.
Dealing With Audience Backlash
Samridhii admits that sometimes viewers criticize characters for their choices, but she feels that’s natural. “People don’t always like flawed behavior, but that’s what being human is messy and imperfect. I think that honesty is one reason our show is doing so well,” she shared.
Influencers vs. Actors: A Changing Industry
Commenting on influencers entering mainstream acting, Samridhii said, “Influencers have an advantage because of their reach. But eventually, talent speaks for itself. If you can act, that’s amazing, but if acting isn’t your strength, then people will notice.” She acknowledged that this is one of the biggest shifts she has observed in the industry.
Dreaming Beyond Drama: Rom-Com & Thrillers
Although Samridhii enjoys consuming varied content, rom-coms are surprisingly last on her personal watchlist. However, she’s eager to explore them as an actor.
“Comedy is something I miss doing. I’d love to do a rom-com because romance and humor together are so refreshing,” she said. She also expressed her interest in thriller projects, especially for OTT platforms.
Samridhii’s perspective reflects a changing television landscape where imperfection is embraced, influencers are testing their talent, and actors like her are keen to explore fresh genres.
