Telly actress Shruti Panwar reveals how typecasting in a role increases the difficulty of breaking stereotypes

MUMBAI: With a career spanning over two decades, Shruti has been a part of several daily soaps and is currently seen in Pinjara Khubsurti Ka. 

Asked whether her criteria of choosing roles have evolved over the years, she said, “Honestly, an actor can easily get typecast in a certain kind of role and it can get difficult to break that stereotype. A few years before I took a sabbatical to be with my son, I was doing lead roles. Once I decided to come back, I started getting only maa ke roles, and I still took them up while knowing the pros and cons. But I think this has been the case not just for me but for many actors. I feel sad that the approach and vision towards artists haven’t changed much.”.

Shruti further added, “Even though I’m playing a mom in my new show, it isn’t the typical conventional image of a mother that’s been served to us. She’s a smart and sharp entrepreneur, believes in equality, women empowerment and is constantly working towards it.”.

While the actor has had an amazing run on the small screen, she’s often seen in substantial roles on the big screen as well. She expressed, “I have enjoyed both the mediums and have tried to balance it by taking projects that interest me. Before the lockdown and post-lockdown, I was doing a few films and in between, I took up my current TV show as I had some time.”.

When asked about how much the TV’s content has changed since she began her small screen journey, she said, “Somewhere, I believe it’s a two-way street. As showmakers, we have to give our viewers content that’s fresh and inclusive of varied characters. There are showmakers who are working hard to give the audience something new but the attempt often falls flat. We can’t say that the viewers won’t accept new content easily if we keep giving them the tried and tested content. We have to serve them new things as often as possible to keep the viewers hooked and be more accepting of the experiments we do.”.

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Having been a part of so many projects, has she ever regretted doing any show? “I have enjoyed doing every role so far but to be honest, there was a show which I regret doing. I still haven’t been paid for it (the show went off air). As an actor, when you choose a daily soap, you can’t do anything else and your entire focus and dedication are on that one show. So, when such an incident happens, it leaves you with a bitter taste.”, she signed off.

Shruti's social media handle is loaded with inspiring workout videos. “I come from a family where everyone was heavily into sports and that seeped in me as well. During my younger days, I was a state-level and a national level basketball player and hence, sports have a pivotal place in my life. It was only after shifting to Mumbai that I got into the gym culture.”, Shruti concluded.

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Credit: Bombay Times