Ishita Dixit marks two years as Pari in Anupamaa: 'My life completely changed'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress Ishita Dixit has marked two years of playing Pari in the long-running drama series Anupamaa, calling the milestone a very big achievement and expressing gratitude to producer Rajan Shahi for trusting her with the role. The actress, speaking on 3 October, reflected on how the show transformed both her career and her sense of self.
What the Milestone Means to Her
For Ishita, two years on one of Indian television's most-watched shows carries weight beyond a professional box ticked. 'Completing two years with a huge show like Anupamaa is a very, very big achievement and a big milestone for me,' she said. She credited the opportunity with fundamentally altering the trajectory of her life, adding: 'My life completely changed after Anupamaa happened, and that is the truth.'
Gratitude Towards Producer Rajan Shahi
Ishita reserved special acknowledgement for Rajan Shahi, the show's producer. 'I am extremely grateful and glad, and I will always be thankful to Rajan Shahi sir for giving me this opportunity,' she said. The trust placed in a younger actor for a prominent role in a flagship primetime show is notable in an industry where established names often corner such parts.
Growth as an Actor
Ishita described how her portrayal of Pari evolved significantly from when she first stepped into the character. 'Pari was very different when I started playing her, and now she has changed so much,' she noted. Working alongside senior actors on set proved to be an informal but intensive masterclass. 'When you are working with so many senior actors on the set, you constantly learn by watching them, understanding their process and sharing scenes with them,' she explained, adding that she feels 'completely different today, not just as Pari but also in terms of my craft and as an actor.'
When Reel Starts Blurring with Real
Perhaps the most candid admission from Ishita was about the thinning boundary between herself and the character she plays. 'By now, she has become a part of me,' she said, noting that in early interviews she would insist Pari and she were not similar at all. Two years on, her perspective has shifted: 'After two years, I feel we have developed a lot of similarities.' She elaborated that certain emotions Pari navigates now prompt a quiet self-recognition — 'Maybe I am a little like Pari too.' This kind of character absorption is a familiar phenomenon among television actors who inhabit roles for extended runs.
What Lies Ahead
Ishita expressed a clear desire to continue the journey: 'I would want this journey to be a long one because I want to continue playing Pari for as long as possible.' Anupamaa, produced by Rajan Shahi under Director's Kut Productions, has remained one of the top-rated Hindi general entertainment shows for several years, giving its cast members considerable visibility and longevity. Whether Pari's track continues will depend on the show's narrative direction, but Ishita's commitment to the character appears firmly intact.