Aarti Bhagat: 2024 started with challenges but these were opportunities in disguise

MUMBAI: Actress Aarti Bhagat, who plays the role of Manjiri in Jamai No. 1, says that the year has been full of ups and downs for her. She adds that she has learnt a lot along the way.

“This year has been a rollercoaster for me. It started with some challenges, but they turned out to be opportunities in disguise. I’ve learned so much—not just about the craft of acting but also about myself. God has been kind, placing me in situations that pushed me to trust myself more and grow stronger. Leaving Jammu and moving to Mumbai was a tough decision, but it was absolutely worth it,” she says.

She adds, “By the end of the year, I’ve seen things fall into place. Working on Jamai No. 1 as Manjiri and seeing my family so proud of me has made all the struggles worth it. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close this chapter of the year.”

Ask her what has been her biggest learning, and she says, “My biggest learning is to trust myself and stay patient. It’s okay to make difficult decisions because, in the end, they lead to growth. In 2025, I plan to focus on learning new skills, managing my time better, and surrounding myself with positive, inspiring people.”

Talking about next year, she says that her goals are clear. “To keep growing, both personally and professionally. I want to take on more challenging roles, work with inspiring people, and continue making my family proud. The advice I’d give myself is to keep being patient and maintain a positive mindset, no matter what. It’s worked well for me so far. If I had to point out a mistake, it would be trusting people too easily at times. But even that taught me valuable lessons about whom to trust and whom not to.”

She adds, “Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to take risks. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s worth it. Be patient, stay focused, and trust that your hard work will pay off.”