Aadesh Chaudhary, who is currently seen as Samar Damani in Star Plus and Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, has brought a new shade to the show’s narrative with his layered and unpredictable character. The actor describes Samar as a man driven by strong convictions, ambition and deep-rooted family values, while also highlighting the grey shades that make him stand apart.
Talking about his character, Aadesh says, “Samar is a man of intense conviction, ambition, and deep-rooted family values. He is sharp, pragmatic, and commands a room the moment he walks in. What makes him stand out is his grey shading. He is neither a textbook hero nor a generic villain. He does what he believes is right for his family, and that unpredictable edge brings a completely fresh, high-stakes energy to the show.”
For Aadesh, being offered the role was an exciting opportunity, particularly because it meant working with Rajan Shahi and Director’s Kut Productions. He says, “My first reaction was pure excitement because it was an opportunity to collaborate with Rajan Shahi sir and Director’s Kut Productions. What immediately attracted me to Samar was his layering. After playing various roles over the years, I look for characters that challenge me. Samar isn’t flat. His motives are complex, and the mystery around his entry post-leap was too juicy an opportunity to pass up.”
The actor also finds some similarities between himself and Samar, although their personalities and approaches to life are quite different. “We both share a fierce sense of protectiveness toward our loved ones and a disciplined work ethic. However, our execution is completely different. Aadesh is patient, calm, and prefers to let things flow naturally. Samar, on the other hand, is a go-getter who will actively manipulate situations to get exactly what he wants. Playing someone so calculation-driven is highly therapeutic because it is far removed from who I am,” he shares.
One of the biggest challenges for Aadesh has been maintaining Samar’s intensity without making the character completely unlikable. He explains, “The biggest challenge is maintaining his intensity without making him look unlikable. It is a very fine line to walk. In daily soaps, the pace is incredibly fast, so finding the emotional depth of a new character on the fly while ensuring the audience understands his hidden motives requires constant focus and mental agility.”
Being part of a show with the legacy of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai also comes with a sense of responsibility. The actor says, “There is always a sense of responsibility when you step into a legacy show that has been loved for nearly two decades. The audience is deeply attached to the characters. Instead of letting it turn into negative pressure, I used that energy as fuel. The goal wasn’t to compete with the show’s history, but to add a new, unforgettable chapter to it.”
Despite the intensity of the drama that unfolds on screen, Aadesh says the atmosphere behind the scenes is warm and comfortable. “The warmth on this set is incredible. Even though I joined the show much later, the cast and crew welcomed me like family from day one. Off-screen, the atmosphere is incredibly light, full of laughter, and shared meals, which is a fantastic contrast to the heavy drama we shoot. That comfort level off-camera makes it much easier to perform intense confrontations on-camera,” he concludes.
