Actress Nidhi Shetty, who plays Prerna in Rajan Shahi’s Anupamaa, says the role has given her an opportunity to explore a wider emotional range as the character continues to evolve.
While Prerna is often seen as a strong and confident woman, Nidhi believes there is a more vulnerable and softer side to her personality that viewers are gradually discovering. For the actor, that contrast has made the television role particularly interesting to perform.
Nidhi Shetty on exploring Prerna’s different shades
Actors who play the same character for an extended period can often become closely associated with that role in the minds of viewers. Nidhi acknowledges that this connection is natural, but says the changing nature of Prerna has allowed her to move beyond one fixed personality.
“Definitely. It’s natural that if you’re seen as one character for long enough, audiences start associating you with that personality. But now my character has started showing so many different shades, which gives me a chance to explore different emotions and sides of her. I’m really enjoying that journey as an actor,” Nidhi said.
For her, Prerna’s development has therefore become an opportunity to experiment with different emotional situations rather than repeatedly playing the character in the same way.
How Nidhi approaches Prerna’s scenes
Nidhi says she begins with the material provided in the script but also relies on her instincts as an actor while performing a scene.
“I always respect what is written, but at the same time, I also go with what I feel as an actor,” she explained.
If she feels Prerna might respond differently in a particular situation, Nidhi said she discusses her perspective with the director or other members of the team.
According to the actor, even small details can influence how authentic a scene feels.
“Sometimes even a small change in expression or delivery can make a scene feel more real and authentic,” she said.
That approach allows Nidhi to remain faithful to the written character while also bringing her own interpretation to Prerna.
Television requires quick emotional shifts
Working in daily television can require actors to move between very different emotional states within a short period. Nidhi says the fast pace of the medium has taught her to adapt quickly.
“Television moves very fast, so you learn to switch emotions almost instantly. I try to understand what my character wants in that particular moment and then trust my instinct,” she said.
Unlike formats where actors may have considerable preparation time before a scene, television often demands immediate readiness.
“You can’t always have hours to prepare, so you learn to be ready for anything,” Nidhi added.
For an actor playing a character with several emotional layers, that ability to transition quickly can be particularly important.
Nidhi says differing opinions show Prerna is making an impact
Nidhi is also pleased that Prerna does not necessarily evoke the same response from every viewer.
“Some people find her point of view completely valid, while others don’t agree with her at all. And that’s okay. I actually feel that’s how you know the character is working,” she said.
The actor believes that characters can have an impact even when viewers disagree with their decisions or perspectives.
“If people have different opinions and are talking about her, then she is making an impact,” Nidhi added.
Rather than trying to make Prerna universally agreeable, Nidhi appears to value the fact that the character can generate discussion.
Does Nidhi Shetty bring herself into Prerna?
Nidhi believes every actor inevitably brings some personal experience and emotion into a performance. At the same time, she says an actor must know when to separate their own personality from that of the character.
“I always try to understand why my character would behave a certain way instead of reacting the way I personally would,” she explained.
She added that her own emotions and experiences naturally become part of her acting process.
“At the same time, a little bit of me will naturally come into every character because my own emotions and experiences are what I use as an actor. The key is knowing when to step back and let the character take over,” Nidhi said.
For her, the balance lies in using personal emotional understanding without allowing her own personality to completely replace Prerna’s.
Prerna’s softer side in Anupamaa
Nidhi also addressed an aspect of Prerna that she feels may not always be immediately visible.
“She’s not against family. She just wants a family where there is love, closeness and, most importantly, respect,” she said.
The statement offers another perspective on Prerna’s approach to relationships. Rather than simply rejecting the idea of family, the character’s concerns are connected to the kind of environment and relationships she believes a family should have.
As Prerna continues to show different sides of herself in Anupamaa, Nidhi Shetty says the evolving role is giving her more opportunities to explore emotions, relationships and reactions that go beyond the character’s initial image.
For the actor, that ongoing evolution is what makes playing Prerna an engaging experience.
