On the occasion of Independence Day, actress Gulki Joshi, currently starring as Dr Srishti in Sony SAB’s Hui Gumm Yaadein, produced y Sobo Films, shares her thoughts on what freedom truly means to her, her creative aspirations, and how her roles connect her to the spirit and values of the nation.
For Gulki, the true essence of Azaadi lies in authenticity, courage, and mutual respect. “For me, Azaadi is the freedom to be yourself without fear. It’s having the courage to make your own choices, speak your mind, and also give other people the space to be who they are. I think true freedom comes with responsibility; my freedom shouldn’t come at the cost of someone else’s.”
I would love for the industry to become even more open to different kinds of stories, faces, and performers, without constantly putting people into boxes.
When asked which colour of the Indian tricolour best represents her personality, Gulki resonated deeply with the colour white. “I think white represents me the most. I value peace, honesty, and clarity. I like keeping things simple and being able to look at a situation without too many preconceived notions. Also, white has the beautiful quality of reflecting everything around it, and I think as an actor, being able to observe, absorb, and reflect different people is a huge part of who I am.”
On contributing to the nation’s progress, Gulki emphasises the importance of everyday integrity and civic responsibility. “I think it starts with simply doing your job well and doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. Follow rules, respect public spaces, be kind to people, don’t litter, don’t misuse your position—these sound like very small things, but collectively they create the kind of country we all want to live in.”
Looking forward, Gulki hopes for a future where actors are not typecast or confined to specific expectations based on past roles. “I would love for the industry to become even more open to different kinds of stories, faces, and performers, without constantly putting people into boxes. I hope an actor can play a doctor today, a mother tomorrow, a comic character the day after, without being told, ‘But this isn’t what audiences expect from you.’ I think creative freedom really thrives when we stop defining people by their previous work. Working on Yaadein has also reminded me how much an actor can explore when a character allows you to bring different shades and emotions to the screen.”
Reflecting on her career choices—from playing Inspector Haseena Mallik in Maddam Sir to Dr Srishti in Hui Gumm Yaadein—Gulki shares how these roles embody core Indian values of service, empathy, and strength. “Maddam Sir did that for me in a very different way. Haseena Mallik wasn’t a historical character, but she represented something I deeply connect with: the idea of serving people while still holding on to empathy and humanity. Through her, I got to explore the strength of an Indian woman who could be fierce and compassionate at the same time. Now, with Dr Srishti in Hui Gumm Yaadein, I get to portray a different side of an Indian woman—one who balances her profession, relationships, and personal emotions while staying true to herself, highlighting the important place doctors hold in Indian society.”
