EXCLUSIVE: ‘Rajshri’ Lataa Saberwal Feared Being Typecast After Playing Mother In Yeh Rishta Kya Khelta Hai; Questioned, “Kahin Main Apna Career Toh Khatam Nahi Kar Rahi?”

For over a decade, Lataa Saberwal became a household name after playing Rajshri Maheshwari in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. However, accepting the iconic role was far from an easy decision. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, the actress revealed that she was cast at the last minute after the director spotted her in Vivah. She also admitted she initially feared that playing a mother on television would lead to typecasting and affect her career. Lataa recalled how producer Rajan Shahi convinced her by highlighting the character’s emotional depth and multiple shades. Scroll down to read what she said and watch the full interview.

Lataa Saberwal On Casting Process Of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

When asked about the casting process back then, Lataa Sabrewal answered, “To be honest, I was selected quite late, and everything happened in a hurry. Matlab, aaj selection hua aur kal contract sign. Baaki sab select ho chuke the, sirf Rajshri ka character final nahi hua tha. As far as I remember, mujhe bataya gaya tha ki hamare director, Romesh ji, by chance raat ko TV par Vivah dekh rahe the. He saw me and said, ‘Inko bulate hain.’ Next day Rajan ji called me, main gayi, aur bas baat ban gayi. Ek look test hua aur phir sab process hua. I got selected.”

She continued, “But I had apprehensions because I wasn’t very sure. Pehle baar main mother ka role play karne ja rahi thi. Mujhe yeh doubt tha ki kya yeh mera sahi decision hoga ya nahi. Jaise aapne kaha, typecasting ho jaati hai aur phir waise hi characters milte rehte hain. Toh mujhe laga, ‘Main mother play kar rahi hoon, kahin main apna career toh khatam nahi kar rahi?’ Tab Rajan ji ne mujhe ek bahut achhi baat samjhayi. Unhone kaha, “Yeh character sirf mother ka nahi hai.” Pehle kya hota tha? Bahut chhoti age mein shaadi ho jaati thi—16–17 saal mein, aur 19–20 saal ki age mein bachche bhi ho jaate the. Jab beti badi hoti thi, toh maa aur beti behne jaisi lagti thi. Which I agree with. Maine apne relatives mein bhi aise examples dekhi hain jahan woh saath mein behnon ki tarah hi badi hui hain.”

Lataa On The Fear Of Being Typecast

The actress continued, “Main iss baat se convinced ho gayi. Phir unhone kaha ki is character ke bahut saare aspects hain. Woh ek wife hai, ek mother hai, ek bahu hai, aur baad mein uski mother ka character bhi aata hai, jahan woh nani bhi banti hai. There are so many different aspects to her personality. You will dance, sing, cry—bahut saare shades hain us character mein. So, this point convinced me. The second thing was that I didn’t want to take a very long gap. Mother ka role tha, lekin agar main mana kar deti aur bahut lamba gap ho jaata, ya achha character nahi milta, toh kya main us period mein financially sustain kar paati? Ya phir yeh role achha hai aur jo doosre offers aa rahe hain woh utne achhe nahi hain.”

Concluding, she said, “Industry mein ek phase aaya tha jab young mothers ki demand thi. All the mothers used to be young. Matlab, main nani aur dadi banne tak bhi mera get-up almost wahi tha. Sabko young mothers hi chahiye thi. Aisa hi daur tha. Agar hum TV kar rahe hain, toh humein us daur ko follow karna padta hai. We can’t go against it. Either quit, or accept it happily. So, I accepted it happily, and it was very fruitful.”

In the long-running Star Plus serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, actress Lata Saberwal portrayed the highly popular character of Rajshri Goyal Maheshwari, who is the mother of the main protagonist, Akshara, played by Hina Khan.

Watch The Full Interview

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Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.