Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor turns narrator for Anupamaa sequence

Shruti Ulfat, who is currently part of Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, recently lent her voice for a special sequence in Anupamaa. Sharing her experience, the actress spoke about how the opportunity came to her and how meaningful the entire process turned out to be.

Talking about the voiceover, Shruti said, “I got a call that Rajan ji wanted me to do a voiceover for Anupamaa. Eventually, Indro, the creative head of Anupamaa, briefed me on the voiceover requirement. It was a beautiful poem. The voiceover was meant to be played over a montage of different characters. In that montage, every character is going through some kind of turmoil, emotional setbacks, sadness, and dejection. Someone has lost their loved ones, someone is feeling guilty, and everyone is going through their own struggles depending on their characters.”

She further explained how the poem required a deep emotional tone. “He told me that I would narrate this poem. He asked me to add a lot of pathos, pauses, and emotional intensity in the voice. I also told him I would give a couple of variations so they could choose the one they liked best. The best part was that he said they weren't stuck on timing and that I could take my own time narrating or reciting the poem. So I recorded a few variations and sent them.”

I got a call that Rajan ji wanted me to do a voiceover for Anupamaa. Eventually, Indro, the creative head of Anupamaa, briefed me on the voiceover requirement. It was a beautiful poem. The voiceover was meant to be played over a montage of different characters

- Shruti Ulfat

Rajan Shahi Appreciates Shruti Ulfat’s Voiceover

Shruti shared that the response she received from Rajan Shahi after submitting the recordings meant a lot to her. “Rajan ji was very happy and sent me a beautiful message in the evening. He said, ‘Shruti, I just loved it. It was too, too, too beautiful.’ He also said that he was very happy and grateful to me for doing it. He told me that there was so much pause and emotional depth in my voice that it brought tears to his eyes while listening to the poem.”

The actress also spoke about her long association with Rajan Shahi and Rupali Ganguly. The trio had earlier worked together on the show Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahi, directed by Rajan Shahi.

“For any artist, it is a beautiful feeling when someone appreciates your work, especially someone like Rajan ji. I have known him since 1997, so it has been almost three decades now. His first directorial venture, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, featured a love triangle between Vishal Singh, Rupali, and me. So it feels very nice that today Rupali is playing Anupamaa in the show he is producing, and I also got to be a part of it through the voiceover.”

She added that her comfort with the Hindi language also played a role in the opportunity. “I think it also happened because I am very comfortable with Hindi, and my Hindi diction is very clear. Rajan ji had full confidence that I would be able to pull it off well. I come from theatre, from the stage, so I understand voice modulation, tonality, and how to bring pauses and emotions into speech. That experience really helped me.”

Shruti also watched the episode after it aired and said it left a strong impact on her. “I watched the episode, and it gave me goosebumps. The voiceover comes at the end of the episode and discusses the journey of all the characters, what they have gone through in their lives, and what they might go through in the future. My long association with Rajan ji and Rupali and getting to work with them again like this feels really special.”

Shruti Ulfat On Working With Rajan Shahi And Director’s Kut Productions

Speaking about Rajan Shahi, Shruti praised his understanding of storytelling and audience emotions. “We all know that Rajan Shahi is a storyteller who understands the pulse of the audience. He is very meticulous about his productions. Whether it is Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Anupamaa, Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si, or any other show he has produced, he knows exactly what the audience wants.”

She also recalled how she became part of Director’s Kut Productions again. “After Dil Ek Mandir, I never really got the opportunity because I was busy with other shows. Then, about two and a half years ago, my show ended, and just three days later, I got a call from Director’s Kut Productions. I immediately said yes because I definitely wanted to be a part of it.”

Shruti described Rajan Shahi not only as a producer but also as a supportive person who takes care of everyone on the set. “Rajan ji is a wonderful producer and a wonderful human being. He really takes care of everyone who works with him. DKP feels like a big family. It is truly wonderful to be a part of DKP and also to be part of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, which is such an iconic show.”

She also spoke about her role in the show and how much she enjoys playing the character. “I am also very happy to play such a beautiful character like Vidya. She has so many dimensions, and I get to perform many different shades and emotions in different situations. If versatility is a word that is associated with an actor, then my character truly has that quality. I really enjoy playing it.”

Shruti concluded by sharing that she is proud to be part of television and enjoys her work. “These days people sometimes say, ‘Oh, it’s a daily soap, and you’re happy doing it?’ And I say yes, I am very happy doing it.”