Shagun Sharma has been navigating her character of Pari in Star Plus‘ Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, produced by Balaji Telefilms, with utmost sincerity. After playing positive roles, Shagun has tactfully found a good footing as the negative lead on the show.
In an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com, Shagun talks about her journey with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and as Pari.
Read on.
Tell us something about your role in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.
Pari is a very layered character. On the surface, she is Tulsi’s daughter, but she is so much more than just that tag. She has her own thought process, her own ambitions, and her own flaws. What excites me the most about Pari is that she isn’t predictable—sometimes she will make you empathise with her, and at other times, she will shock you with her decisions. She is emotional but also practical when it comes to her own interests. Viewers can expect a lot of drama, intensity, and some very unexpected moments through her. She is going to be the one driving many twists in the show, and I feel the audience will have a love-hate relationship with her, which, as an actor, is exactly what I want!
How different is this role from the characters you have played earlier?
Honestly, it feels like a complete shift for me. I have played a range of characters in the past—Sonu in Ishq Par Zor Nahi was sweet and emotional, Titli in Sasural Genda Phool 2 was cheerful and rooted in family values, and Mohini in Harphoul Mohini was fierce but still positive. Even Kashvi in Yeh Hai Chahatein had shades of strength but was essentially good at heart. Pari, however, is far more complex. She operates in grey areas—sometimes leaning towards negative, sometimes showing her vulnerable side. It’s different because earlier, my roles were more about being loved by the audience, whereas with Pari, I know people might even dislike her at times. And that’s the beauty—getting to portray someone so multi-dimensional is very refreshing for me as an actor.
You are playing a negative character opposite Tulsi. How challenging or easy has it been to portray such shades on screen?
Playing a character with negative shades is never easy, because as a person, I am very different from Pari. I had to first understand her mindset—what makes her act the way she does, what her insecurities are, and why she makes choices that may not always seem right. Instead of looking at her as “negative,” I try to look at her as a human being who is flawed and trying to navigate her life. That helps me bring authenticity to her actions instead of just showing her as ‘evil.’ Of course, it can be mentally and emotionally draining because you are constantly channelling emotions that are not yours, but at the same time, it is creatively very fulfilling. It is like exercising a completely different muscle as an actor.
Do you feel the pressure stepping into a show that carries such a massive legacy?
Yes, there’s definitely pressure because Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi isn’t just any show—it literally changed the face of Indian television. Stepping into something with that kind of legacy means you know you will be compared and scrutinised. But I see that pressure as positive energy. It pushes me to prepare better, to perform with more honesty, and to give my 200%. For me, it’s also a huge honour to be part of this journey. Not every actor gets a chance to be associated with such an iconic name, so instead of fear, I feel gratitude. I just hope that through Pari, I am able to create even a fraction of the impact that the original show had on its audience.
