Sheersha Tiwari’s performance in Star Plus and Rajan Shahi’s Anupamaa has garnered widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics for its emotional resonance and authenticity. In her role as Prarthna Kothari Shah, she skillfully navigated the intricate journey of a woman trapped in a toxic marriage, ultimately discovering her own path to independence. Sheersha is all set to exit the show, with her character meeting with an untimely death.
We at IWMBuzz.com got an opportunity to talk to Sheersha, who went into detail, saying that the show has given her a big learning curve.
Read here.
How has the journey been for you with Anupamaa?
My journey with Anupamaa has been truly amazing and very enriching as an actor. I strongly believe that no matter how much experience we gain, the learning process should never stop. Playing Prarthna was very special for me because it was the first time I portrayed a character who carries the pain of a difficult past but gradually transforms into a strong and resilient woman. I did my best to portray her journey with honesty and sensitivity.
What touched me the most was the love and appreciation from the audience. I even received a message from someone who said they could truly relate to Prarthna’s pain, struggles, and courage. For me, that is the biggest reward as an actor because it shows that the character connected with people on a deeper level.
Every character has its own journey, and Prarthna’s story was meant to reach a point.
How does it feel to have been a part of a big show like Anupamaa?
It has been a wonderful and memorable experience. Although I had done a good amount of work before this, Anupamaa has definitely been a life-changing project for me. It gave me a new identity among the audience. I’m extremely grateful to Rajan Sir and the entire DKP team for allowing me to be part of such a beautiful show.
Tell us about your camaraderie on the sets.
We had great camaraderie on the set. Everyone, from the actors to the crew, was very supportive and friendly. We often joked around between takes, and people helped each other with lines and scenes. It felt like a family, which made working long hours much more enjoyable.
It’s tough to see Prarthna’s exit. What do you have to say?
It is definitely emotional. Prarthna had just welcomed a baby girl and was beginning a new phase of building a happy family, so seeing her journey end at this point is quite heartbreaking. I wish the audience could have seen more of her happier and stronger side because they had already witnessed her going through so much pain for a long time.
However, I believe the audience has always been emotionally connected to Prarthna’s story, and perhaps that connection will now continue through her daughter and the impact she leaves behind.
The show takes a dramatic twist with the character’s death. Tell us about it.
Prarthna was emotionally connected to both the Kothari and the Shah families, so her sudden death will deeply affect everyone. In the Kothari family, she was the only daughter among four sons, which made her extremely special to them. Her loss will leave a huge emotional void in their lives.
At the same time, the Shah family will also be devastated. They were eagerly waiting to welcome a newborn baby and celebrate a new phase in the family, but instead, they are faced with an unexpected tragedy. Ansh will be deeply affected after losing a life partner and will go through immense emotional turmoil. It’s definitely going to be a very emotional phase in the story, and even I’m curious to see how the narrative unfolds from here.
Tell us about your takeaways from playing Prarthna.
Prarthna was always portrayed as a soft-spoken and kind-hearted girl who put her family above everything else. That’s why even when she was in an abusive, arranged marriage, she tried her best to make it work because she valued relationships deeply. But what I loved most about her journey was her growth. Over time, she learned to stand up for herself, voice her thoughts, and make decisions for her own happiness while still respecting her family. For me, Prarthna’s character arc was always about growth.
She chose to give marriage another chance by marrying Ansh Shah, and she also decided to keep and raise the child from her previous marriage. That decision itself reflects how strong she was from within.
What gave rise to this dramatic exit of the character?
Television storytelling is constantly evolving, and shows like Anupamaa keep introducing new twists and storylines to keep the audience engaged.
This decision was part of that creative process to bring a fresh turn in the narrative and keep viewers curious about what happens next.
How did you take the decision of exit?
Every character has its own journey, and Prarthna’s story was meant to reach a point. I truly believe the makers gave her a meaningful character graph, and I did my best to do justice to it through my performance.
What will you miss the most after this exit?
What I will miss the most is definitely the people. The entire team, from the actors to the crew and staff, felt like a family. Spending so many hours together every day naturally creates a strong bond. I’ll also miss portraying Prarthna for such a loving and supportive audience who have been showering so much love on the character for more than a year.
What kind of roles do you plan to do now?
I’m very excited to explore new opportunities and take on different kinds of roles. Whether it’s television shows, web series, reality shows, or films, I’m open to experimenting with diverse characters. At this stage of my career, I would love to explore strong lead roles and youth-oriented projects that allow me to showcase different shades as an actor.
Best of luck for your next and beyond!!
