Indira Krishnan on playing Durgawati: 'Unapologetically fearless' role in Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan
Synopsis
Indira Krishnan says playing Durgawati in 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan' is the most challenging and fulfilling role of her career — and the character is about to face her biggest storm yet, accused of attempting to kill Ganga, with her own son turning against her. It is a storyline that tests both the actress and the show's ambition to write women beyond stereotypes.
Key Takeaways
Indira Krishnan describes her role as Durgawati in 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan' as one of the most layered and fulfilling of her career.
Krishnan says the character pushes her to explore strength, vulnerability, and conviction simultaneously.
Upcoming episodes will see Durgawati accused of attempting to harm Ganga , played by Shubhangi Latkar .
The allegations create a rift between Durgawati and her son Siddhu , portrayed by Sheizaan Khan , who begins to question her innocence.
Krishnan argues characters like Durgawati reflect a wider shift in Indian television toward women-driven, stereotype-free narratives .
Actress Indira Krishnan has described her role as Durgawati in the television drama 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan' as one of the most layered and emotionally fulfilling performances of her career. Speaking on 22 July, the actress said bringing such a complex, conviction-driven woman to life on screen has pushed her as a performer in ways few roles have.
What Indira Krishnan Said About Durgawati
Reflecting on the character, Krishnan said, “Durgawati has been one of the most layered and emotionally enriching characters I have had the privilege to portray. In many ways, she has also been one of the most challenging and fulfilling roles of my career because she constantly pushes me as an actor to explore strength, vulnerability, and conviction in equal measure.”
She elaborated further: “Her journey isn’t just about being strong, it’s about standing by her beliefs even when the world chooses to misunderstand her. What makes her so special is that her story continues to shape the emotional core of the narrative, with every decision creating a ripple effect in the lives of those around her.”
Why the Role Resonates Beyond the Screen
Krishnan framed Durgawati as emblematic of a broader shift in how Indian television is writing its female characters. “As an actor, it’s incredibly rewarding to bring to life a woman who is unapologetically fearless, resilient, and complex,” she said. “I truly believe characters like Durgawati reflect the evolving storytelling on television, where women are no longer confined to stereotypes but are driving narratives with depth and purpose.”
The observation carries weight at a time when prime-time Hindi television has seen a gradual move away from passive female archetypes toward protagonists who anchor moral and dramatic conflict alike.
Upcoming Storyline: Durgawati Faces Her Toughest Test
The drama in 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan' is set to intensify in forthcoming episodes, with Durgawati accused of attempting to take the life of Ganga, played by actress Shubhangi Latkar. The allegations, according to the show’s narrative, do not merely threaten her standing in the community — they fracture her relationship with her own son, Siddhu, portrayed by Sheizaan Khan, who begins to doubt her innocence.
The storyline places Durgawati at the centre of a moral crisis that tests both her resilience and the loyalties of those closest to her — a narrative arc that Krishnan says demanded the full range of her craft.
The Broader Picture for Women-Led TV Drama
Krishnan’s comments arrive as Indian general entertainment channels continue to invest in female-led narratives that go beyond domestic conflict. 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan' is positioned as part of this wave, with its ensemble of women characters navigating power, faith, and survival in ways that earlier formats rarely allowed. Whether the show sustains that ambition through its high-stakes upcoming arc will be closely watched by both audiences and the industry.
Point of View
But it also points to a tension Indian television has yet to fully resolve: shows can claim to break stereotypes in press interviews while the actual plot mechanics — false accusations, family betrayal, a son doubting his mother — remain entirely familiar to the genre. The real test of 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan’s' ambition is not how the character is described off-screen but whether the writing gives Durgawati agency through her crisis rather than simply suffering through it. Krishnan is a capable actress; the question is what the scripts hand her.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Indira Krishnan and what show is she currently in?
Indira Krishnan is a Hindi television actress currently playing the character Durgawati in 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan'. She has described the role as one of the most challenging and enriching of her career.
What is Durgawati's storyline in 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan'?
Durgawati is a central character who stands by her convictions even when misunderstood. In upcoming episodes, she faces a serious accusation of attempting to harm Ganga, played by Shubhangi Latkar, which also strains her relationship with her son Siddhu, played by Sheizaan Khan.
Why does Indira Krishnan find the role of Durgawati rewarding?
Krishnan says the role is rewarding because it allows her to portray a woman who is unapologetically fearless, resilient, and complex. She believes such characters reflect the evolving nature of women-led storytelling on Indian television.
Who plays Ganga and Siddhu in 'Ganga Mai Ki Betiyan'?
Ganga is played by actress Shubhangi Latkar, while Siddhu, Durgawati's son who begins to doubt her innocence, is portrayed by Sheizaan Khan.
What does Indira Krishnan say about women's representation on Indian television?
Krishnan said she believes characters like Durgawati reflect a shift in Indian TV storytelling, where women are no longer confined to stereotypes but are instead driving narratives with depth and purpose.
