'Truly Mata Rani's Blessing': Shrenu Parikh On Playing Parvati In Ganesh Kartikey

When Shrenu Parikh steps into the role of Goddess Parvati in the show Ganesh Kartikey, she isn't just carrying the weight of heavy jewellery or challenging vocabulary; she is bearing the responsibility of a fierce, nurturing, and divine woman in Hindu mythology. It is a full-circle moment for Shrenu, as she brings to life all the stories that she grew up listening to at her grandparents' house in Vadodara. 

"I’m a small-town Gujju girl, born and brought up with my nana-nani’s values and devotion to God. Even today, while shooting, I often recall the stories my nana used to tell," Shrenu revealed, in an interview with SheThePeople.

She continued, "My mother was a working woman, and she always made sure I grew up to be an independent person. Living with my grandparents, I had a simple, middle-class upbringing, filled with love and lessons that I’m proud to carry with me."

Despite the humble beginnings, the stardom bug bit early. "I was five years old when Aishwarya Rai won Miss World, and I wished I could be just like her," Shrenu recounted. 

But in a conservative Gujarati family, dreams of modelling and acting weren’t exactly encouraged. Shrenu kept her dream quiet until college, when she won her first beauty pageant, changing everything.

"My parents' only condition was, 'Get your degree, and after that, we will help you pursue your dreams.' I was planning to pursue an MBA and settle down in the US, but God had some other plans," Shrenu expressed. "The TV industry has been very kind to me, and it's been 15 years, and I'm still here."

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Shrenu Parikh as Parvati

From Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? to Ishqbaaz, Shrenu's versatility has always set her apart. Now, as Parvati in Ganesh Kartikey, she channels her innate sense of compassion, faith, and resilience rooted in her upbringing.

"As a child, I was the eldest amongst all my cousins. Even my brother Shubham is six years younger than me, and since my mother was a working lady, I practically brought him up. So I think I had that inherent motherly, nurturing nature in me already," Shrenu revealed, speaking of Goddess Parvati's maternal and compassionate quality.

When asked how she portrayed Parvati's divine strength, Shrenu modestly replied, "I don't know; it is quite magical. It is truly Mata Rani's blessings only."

Chaos and calm

Playing a mythological character has been equal parts exciting and demanding for Shrenu. "The most challenging part has to be the Sanskrit-Hindi. But I think with practice, I was able to do it," she shared. 

"Moreover, another challenge was staying in such heavy jewellery and makeup all day," Shrenu revealed. Behind the divine calm seen on screen, she admits the process took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being. 

“Behind the camera, I still struggle,” Shrenu shared candidly. “There’s a lot of nervousness and pressure, but you can’t bring that on set. During the first two months, I was overwhelmed by the character, the costumes, and the responsibility that came with portraying a goddess.”

The turning point came during the initial look tests. “One day, I actually broke down,” she recalled. “But when you see how much effort everyone has put into it, you realise you are a part of creating something truly beautiful.”

To stay resilient and calm amid the demands of long shoots, Shrenu relies on spiritual discipline. "Every morning, I must chant Hanuman Chalisa before I start getting ready. I also do pranayama every day, and whenever I get a day off and I'm physically able to do it, I also do yoga," she revealed.

Reflecting on her journey, Shrenu shared that the most important lesson she has learned over the years is the power of storytelling. "Content is the hero," she said. "Even if the story has been told before, the way you narrate it makes all the difference."

In portraying Goddess Parvati, Shrenu Parikh reflects her faith, discipline, and deep-rooted values. From a small-town girl to embodying the divine on screen, her journey is a testament to dedication, intention, and authenticity.