Shraddha Jaiswal has completed a year of playing Indu Rani in Zee TV’s Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan, produced by Dreamiyata Entertainment. The actress believes the role has allowed her to explore a completely different side of herself. From adapting to the show’s physical demands to finding a new rhythm as a performer, Shraddha says the journey has been deeply rewarding.
The actress feels the show’s writing has played an important role in connecting with viewers. “What has connected with viewers is that the story itself is beautifully written. Every character has something endearing about them. The entire ensemble cast is doing a phenomenal job, and the creative team, directors and producers have all contributed to making the show what it is. It feels like the stars have truly aligned for us,” says Shraddha.
She has also received an unexpected response to Indu Rani. “The highest compliment I have received came from parents in completely different regions, including Kolkata, Bihar and Chandigarh. They told me that their kids are always eagerly waiting to see Indu Rani on screen. It caught me completely off guard. I always playfully caution parents that they shouldn’t let their children idolise her because you absorb traits from your favourite characters, and Indu Rani definitely shouldn’t be their role model,” she says.
Stepping into the shoes of Indu Rani, a raw, layered woman from the heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, rooted in the Prayagraj and Banaras belt, has been an absolute delight.
Shraddha believes the character’s comic side has made her memorable. “I think it comes down to her sharp comic timing and the pure entertainment value she brings to every scene. The fact that young kids connect with a negative character on such a joyful level is both unexpected and incredibly heartwarming. To me, that is the ultimate validation of my work,” she adds.
The actress also opens up about her bond with the cast in Chandigarh. “Professionally, the dynamic on set is wonderfully cordial. On my earlier shows, I walked away with deeply cherished, sisterly bonds, like those with Supriya Shukla and Toral Rasputra during Molkki, and Jyoti Mukherjee during Bhagya Lakshmi. Here, the physical layout makes regular bonding difficult because my green room and sets are nearly half a kilometre away from some of my co-stars. However, something even more special happened. I found family. From the beginning, I felt an instant connection with Vishal Singh, who plays Kali,” Shraddha shares.
For the actress, Indu Rani has also marked an important phase in her career. “I feel immensely blessed with the trajectory of my career. I have consistently been trusted with substantial and versatile characters that carry a distinct edge, whether it was Anjali Bhabhi in Molkki or Suzy in Belan Wali Bahu. For a long time, casting directors saw me primarily in urbane and sophisticated roles because of my facial features and eyes. But I always wanted to play something unconventional, earthy and challenging,” she says.
Lastly, Shraddha adds, “Stepping into the shoes of a raw, layered woman from the heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, rooted in the Prayagraj and Banaras belt, has been an absolute delight. Bringing that regional flavour and attitude into Indu Rani makes every scene entertaining to perform. I believe this is one of the most defining roles of my career because it has challenged me as an actor and has even impacted the person I am outside the set.”
