Anita Raj on YRKKH's 1,000-episode milestone: 'This place truly feels like home'
Synopsis
'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' has crossed 1,000 episodes in its current generation, and actress Anita Raj — who plays the formidable Dadisa Kaveri Poddar — marked the moment with a deeply personal Instagram tribute, calling the set her 'home' and crediting producer Rajan Shahi for believing in her work since she joined in October 2023.
Key Takeaways
Anita Raj celebrated 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' completing 1,000 episodes with a heartfelt Instagram post.
She joined the show in October 2023 after its fourth-generation leap, playing matriarch Kaveri Poddar (Dadisa) .
The actress thanked producer Rajan Shahi and Director's Kut Productions for their support.
Co-leads Rohit Purohit (Armaan Poddar) and Samridhi Shukla (Abhira Sharma) headline the current generation.
Anita Raj has a long career spanning films like 'Ghulami' and TV shows including 'Choti Sarrdaarni' .
Veteran actress Anita Raj has celebrated a significant milestone as her hit television drama 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' crossed 1,000 episodes, calling the experience a deeply emotional and fulfilling journey. The actress took to Instagram to share her feelings, posting pictures from her time on the show alongside a heartfelt message to the cast and crew.
Anita Raj's Heartfelt Message
In her Instagram post, Anita wrote: “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai 1000 episodes filled with love, laughter, memories, and the most wonderful souls on set. Thu Thu Thu This place truly feels like home. A heartfelt thank you to @directorskutproduction @rajan.shahi.543 and all my wonderful directors for always believing in me and bringing out the best in my work. Grateful beyond words. Here’s to many more beautiful memories together. #gratitude #nammyohorengekyo #jaiguruji #yrkkh.”
The actress specifically acknowledged producer Rajan Shahi and the entire production team at Director's Kut Productions for their unwavering support throughout her tenure on the show.
Anita's Role and Journey on the Show
Anita Raj joined 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' in October 2023, following the show's fourth-generation leap. She plays Kaveri Poddar, also referred to as Dadisa — the strict, authoritative matriarch of the Poddar family, whose commanding personality has made her one of the show's most prominent characters.
The current generation of the show features Rohit Purohit as lead character Armaan Poddar and Samridhi Shukla as Abhira Sharma. The trio's on-screen dynamic has been central to the show's continued popularity.
A Career Spanning Decades
Anita Raj is no newcomer to the entertainment industry. She has appeared in several notable Hindi films, including 'Prem Geet', 'Zara Si Zindagi', 'Naukar Biwi Ka', 'Zameen Aasman', 'Ghulami', and 'Mazloom'. On the television front, she has been part of popular shows such as 'Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani' and 'Choti Sarrdaarni', cementing her status as a versatile performer across mediums.
The Show's Enduring Legacy
Produced by Rajan Shahi, 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' is one of Indian television's longest-running dramas. The 1,000-episode mark under its current generation is a testament to the show's ability to reinvent itself through generational leaps while retaining audience loyalty. The milestone also reflects the strength of its ensemble cast, of which Anita Raj has been an integral part since late 2023.
As the show looks ahead, audiences and the cast alike appear energised — and if Anita Raj's words are any indication, the emotional investment on and off screen remains as strong as ever.
Point of View
000-episode milestone for YRKKH's current generation is more than a ratings footnote — it signals that generational reboots, when cast well, can sustain long-running franchises rather than kill them. Anita Raj's Dadisa is a case study: a character introduced to anchor a new family dynamic, she has become the show's moral and dramatic centre of gravity. What mainstream coverage misses is the quiet career renaissance this represents for Raj, a film actress from the 1980s who has found arguably her most visible role in decades on primetime television. It also underscores how Indian daily soaps continue to offer substantive, age-appropriate roles for senior women — something Bollywood rarely does.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What milestone did 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' recently achieve?
'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' completed 1,000 episodes in its current fourth-generation format, a milestone celebrated by the cast and crew including actress Anita Raj, who shared her feelings publicly on Instagram.
Who does Anita Raj play in 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai'?
Anita Raj plays Kaveri Poddar, known as Dadisa — the strict and authoritative matriarch of the Poddar family. She joined the show in October 2023 following the show's fourth-generation leap.
Who are the lead actors in the current generation of YRKKH?
The current generation features Rohit Purohit as Armaan Poddar and Samridhi Shukla as Abhira Sharma, with Anita Raj's Dadisa playing a central supporting role in the family drama.
Who produces 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai'?
The show is produced by Rajan Shahi under his banner Director's Kut Productions. Anita Raj specifically thanked Shahi and the production team in her Instagram post marking the 1,000-episode milestone.
What are some of Anita Raj's other well-known works?
Anita Raj has appeared in Hindi films such as 'Ghulami', 'Prem Geet', 'Naukar Biwi Ka', 'Zameen Aasman', and 'Mazloom', and on television in 'Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani' and 'Choti Sarrdaarni'.
