Samikssha Batnagar on Anupamaa role: 'It suited my personality'
Synopsis
Samikssha Batnagar didn’t just take a popular TV role — she was drawn in by the nuance of Shruti Ahuja, a mother-figure she insists is positive, not villainous. Replacing Sukirti Kandpal on one of Star Plus’s biggest shows, Batnagar says the character’s emotional depth felt like a personal fit from the moment she read it.
Key Takeaways
Samikssha Batnagar joined Anupamaa in April 2026 , replacing Sukirti Kandpal as Shruti Ahuja .
She cited the character’s emotional strength and the opportunity to work with DKP Productions as key reasons for accepting the role.
Batnagar emphasised that Shruti is a positive character , not a negative one, despite the complexity of her arc.
Anupamaa is produced by Rajan Shahi and stars Rupali Ganguly in the lead role on Star Plus .
Audience response to her portrayal of Shruti has been positive, according to the actress.
Actress Samikssha Batnagar has spoken candidly about what drew her to the long-running Star Plus daily soap Anupamaa, revealing that the emotional complexity of her character Shruti Ahuja was the decisive factor in accepting the role. The actress joined the show in April 2026, replacing Sukirti Kandpal in the part.
Why She Said Yes to Anupamaa
Batnagar said her decision-making process begins with understanding what she can personally bring to a character. “When I get an offer, whether it is a film, a character, or a television show, it is very important for me to understand what I can bring to that character. As an actor, what contribution can I make to it?” she said.
Beyond the character itself, the show’s massive audience and the prospect of working with DKP Productions were equally compelling. “Anupamaa was already a very popular show. People love it immensely. The most important thing for me was that when I got the opportunity to work with DKP Productions, I really wanted to work with them,” she added.
What Makes Shruti Ahuja Stand Out
Batnagar described the moment she understood Shruti’s arc as an instant connection. “As soon as I understood the character, I felt that it had strength and that it suited my personality. That convinced me to accept the role quickly. Thankfully, people have also been loving it,” she said.
Notably, Shruti is positioned as a morally layered figure rather than a conventional antagonist — a distinction Batnagar was keen to protect. “She is essentially a positive character. As a mother, she has certain emotions and feelings towards Anupama,” she explained.
The Challenge of Playing a Misread Character
Portraying a character who risks being misread by audiences presented its own set of pressures. “She is a mother who has to justify herself for her daughter. She loves her daughter, but at the same time, she is not a negative character, and I did not want people to perceive her that way,” Batnagar said.
She added that every role carries an inherent responsibility: “Every character brings a challenge, and I believe it is an actor’s responsibility to justify that character on screen.”
About the Show
Anupamaa, produced by Rajan Shahi under DKP Productions, stars Rupali Ganguly in the titular lead role and has consistently ranked among the most-watched Hindi television shows. Batnagar’s entry into the cast in April 2026 brought fresh narrative energy to the long-running serial, with early audience response to Shruti Ahuja described as positive by the actress herself.
With viewer reception warm and the character’s arc still unfolding, Batnagar’s portrayal of Shruti will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The line between a morally complex character and a villain is often decided not by the writing but by how the actress frames the role off-screen. Batnagar is clearly doing that framing work deliberately. Whether the narrative eventually honours that promise is the real question Anupamaa’s loyal viewership will be watching.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Samikssha Batnagar in Anupamaa?
Samikssha Batnagar plays Shruti Ahuja in the Star Plus show Anupamaa. She joined the cast in April 2026, replacing Sukirti Kandpal in the role.
Why did Samikssha Batnagar accept the role of Shruti Ahuja?
She said the character’s emotional strength and its fit with her own personality were the primary reasons. The chance to work with DKP Productions and the show’s massive popularity also influenced her decision.
Is Shruti Ahuja a negative character in Anupamaa?
According to Batnagar, Shruti is a positive character at her core. She described Shruti as a mother driven by love for her daughter, and said she actively worked to ensure audiences did not perceive her as a villain.
Who produces Anupamaa and who plays the lead?
Anupamaa is produced by Rajan Shahi under DKP Productions. Rupali Ganguly plays the titular lead role on Star Plus.
Who did Samikssha Batnagar replace in Anupamaa?
She replaced Sukirti Kandpal as Shruti Ahuja when she joined the show in April 2026.
