Gulki Joshi on Hui Gumm Yaadein, Ek Radha and Yoga: “Strength Doesn’t Always Have to Be Loud”
Highlights
- Gulki Joshi reveals why Dr. Srishti’s emotional complexity attracted her after Maddam Sir.
- The actress says strength can also be expressed through grace, patience, and vulnerability.
- She describes working with Iqbal Khan as a “full-circle moment.”
- Gulki believes Hui Gumm Yaadein resonates because it explores love, healing, forgiveness, and second chances.
- The actress discusses the phenomenal response to her musical play Ek Radha.
- She says theatre offers instant audience validation, unlike television.
- Gulki opens up about overcoming career disappointments and learning resilience.
- Yoga remains a key part of her routine for maintaining physical and mental well-being.
- She defines true Yog as the union of body, mind, and spirit.
- The actress encourages fans to practice mindful breathing for better work-life balance.
Actress Gulki Joshi, currently winning hearts as Dr. Srishti in Hui Gumm Yaadein, opens up about choosing emotionally layered characters after the success of Maddam Sir, working alongside Iqbal Khan, the growing popularity of her new show, and the overwhelming response to her musical play Ek Radha. She also reflects on career setbacks, personal growth, fashion, and the role yoga plays in helping her stay grounded amidst demanding television schedules.
Gulki Joshi discusses Hui Gumm Yaadein, working with Iqbal Khan, Ek Radha, career lessons, yoga, fashion, and why emotional storytelling resonates with audiences.
Excerpts…
Why Gulki Joshi Chose Dr. Srishti After Maddam Sir
Q1). Your character, Dr. Srishti, is navigating an incredibly complex dynamic as a hospital leader and the ex-wife of Dr. Dev (Iqbal Khan). What was it about this emotionally layered role that made you say “yes” to it after the massive success of Maddam Sir?
Gulki Joshi. After Maddam Sir, I was getting a lot of offers that felt familiar. What attracted me to Dr. Srishti was her emotional complexity. On the surface, she’s a capable hospital leader who has her life together, but underneath she’s carrying unresolved emotions, memories, and heartbreak. As an actor, those layers are exciting to explore because they allow you to show strength and vulnerability at the same time.
Q2). You recently mentioned that after playing a fierce cop, you were frequently offered very similar, masculine roles. How does it feel to break away from that image to showcase Srishti’s inner vulnerability and composure?
Gulki Joshi. Breaking the Stereotype I absolutely loved playing a strong cop, but after a point I realized people were only seeing me through that lens. Srishti gave me the opportunity to remind audiences and maybe even myself, that strength doesn’t always have to be loud. Sometimes it’s found in patience, grace, restraint, and vulnerability. That has been very refreshing for me as an actor.
Working With Iqbal Khan: A Full-Circle Moment
Q3). You grew up watching Iqbal Khan on television, and now you are playing his on-screen partner and professional equal. How would you describe your off-screen camaraderie, and did that help shape your natural on-screen chemistry?
Gulki Joshi. Sharing the Screen with Iqbal Khan It’s quite surreal, honestly. I remember watching Iqbal on television growing up, so working alongside him now feels like a full-circle moment. He’s incredibly warm, professional, and easy to work with. We share a comfortable rapport off-screen, and I think that naturally reflects in our scenes together.
Q4). Hui Gumm Yaadein is gaining immense traction day by day. Why do you think a medical drama centered on memory loss and second chances is resonating so deeply with today’s daily soap audience?
Gulki Joshi. The Success of Hui Gumm Yaadein I think audiences today are looking for stories that are emotional but still relatable. Memory loss is the backdrop, but at its core the show is about love, healing, forgiveness, and second chances. Everyone has experienced some form of loss or regret, so people connect with those emotions regardless of the setting.
Q5). Your musical play Ek Radha has been receiving phenomenal feedback from live audiences. As an artist, how does the instant gratification of theatre compare to the delayed, metric-driven validation of television?
Gulki Joshi. Theatre vs Television Theatre and television satisfy very different parts of me as an artist. In theatre, you get an instant reaction from the audience, the applause, the silence, the energy in the room. It’s magical. Television is different because the response comes much later through ratings, messages, and social media. Both are rewarding, but theatre gives you an immediate emotional high that’s difficult to describe.
6). Ek Radha tackles the deeply intense, taboo love story between a Hindu pandit and a Muslim tawaif in a divided society. Were there any initial apprehensions about how the public would react to such a sensitive narrative?
Gulki Joshi. Tackling a Sensitive Love Story Of course, whenever you’re dealing with a subject that’s socially sensitive, there’s always a little apprehension. But what convinced me was the honesty and dignity with which the story was being told. Ek Radha isn’t trying to provoke; it’s trying to humanise. At its heart, it’s a story about love, and love has always found a way to transcend boundaries.
Q7). Doing a live musical play requires immense voice control, stamina, and emotional precision. What kind of rigorous prep went behind the scenes to perfect the rhythm of Ek Radha?
Gulki Joshi. Preparing for a Live Musical The preparation was intense. A live musical demands much more than just acting, you have to be physically fit, emotionally present, and extremely disciplined with your voice. There were long rehearsals, vocal training, movement sessions, and endless practice. The goal was to make everything look effortless on stage, which ironically takes a lot of effort behind the scenes.
Q8). You have spoken candidly about moving through a cycle of intense ambition, from wanting only films to ultimately surrendering to whatever characters come your way. How has this spiritual shift changed your approach to your acting craft?
Gulki Joshi. A Shift in Perspective Earlier in my career, I was very attached to specific outcomes. I had a fixed idea of what success should look like. Over time, life taught me that sometimes the best opportunities arrive when you’re busy trying to control everything. Today, I focus more on the work and less on the destination. That surrender has brought me a lot more peace and, interestingly, better performances.
Q9). From facing abrupt, overnight replacements early in your career to being one of television’s most respected leading faces today, what is the biggest lesson your professional transformation has taught you?
Gulki Joshi. The Biggest Career Lesson The biggest lesson has been that rejection is rarely personal. Early in my career, sudden changes and disappointments felt devastating. But with time I realised that resilience matters more than any single opportunity. If you stay consistent, keep learning, and continue showing up, life eventually rewards your perseverance.
Q10). Fans have been raving about your stunning aesthetic makeover during recent show promotions. How has your personal sense of style and fashion evolved over the last few years?
Gulki Joshi. Your Evolving Style Statement I think my style has become more authentic with time. Earlier, I was more focused on following trends. Today, I gravitate towards what feels comfortable, elegant, and true to my personality. I’ve learned that confidence is the best thing you can wear, and when you feel comfortable in your own skin, it reflects in everything you wear.
How Yoga Helps Gulki Joshi Stay Grounded
Q11). You have previously highlighted that practicing Yoga helped you reclaim your body’s flexibility and mental peace. How big a role does Yoga play in keeping you centered amidst demanding 12-hour television shoot shifts?
Gulki Joshi. Yoga Amidst a Demanding Schedule Yoga has played a huge role in my life. Long shooting schedules can be physically exhausting and mentally draining, and yoga helps me reconnect with myself. Even if I only get twenty minutes in a day, it helps me reset, improve my flexibility, and approach the rest of the day with a calmer mind.
Q12). Yoga has become a trendy fitness routine for social media. What does true “Yog” mean to you beyond just physical postures and asanas?
Gulki Joshi. The Meaning of Yog For me, Yog is union, the coming together of the body, mind, and spirit. The physical postures are just one small part of it. Real Yog begins when you become more aware, more present, and more connected with yourself. It’s less about touching your toes and more about understanding what’s happening within you.
Q13). On this International Yoga Day, what is one simple mindfulness or breathing practice you would recommend to your fans who are struggling to find a work-life balance?
Gulki Joshi. International Yoga Day Special The simplest practice I would recommend is mindful breathing. Just sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths for five minutes without looking at your phone or thinking about your to-do list. It sounds very simple, but in today’s world, giving yourself even five minutes of complete presence can be incredibly powerful. It helps you slow down, reset, and return to your day with much more clarity.
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