Exclusive - Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 fame Shriya Tiwari: A priest predicted I would pursue an acting career during my childhood

Actress Shriya Tiwari is currently gaining recognition for her role as Saloni Virani in the second season of the iconic TV show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and as Barkat in Seher Hone Ko Hai. She recalls that a priest predicted her acting career during her childhood.

She said, "A priest (Pandit), who used to make our birth charts, predicted that I'll become an actor. Back in 2005, when I was young, and he was our consultant, he read my natal chart and informed my parents but my parents, with their traditional beliefs, never wanted me to enter the entertainment industry."

She revealed her desire to become a doctor. "During my school days, I always enjoyed participating in dance and dramas. But as I grew up it faded and my goals changed. I wanted to become a doctor but due to a financial crisis I pursued commerce and planned on doing an MBA to pursue finance or HR," she added.

She continued, "But in 2014 my life took a turn when my bhabhi (sister in law) suggested I try participating in a modelling competition. She figured out what I was avoiding all this while. She motivated me, helped me work on the missing pieces, and got me into a pageant, which I won later. My other family members offered zero support at that time, but it happened as it was my destiny."

Recalling her initial days in the entertainment industry. She shared, "Since 2014 my journey began as a model then I started acting in Gujarati films in 2015. After seeing the premiere of my first film in cinema halls my family gained some confidence in me and then they allowed me to pursue further. But to find success my destination was Mumbai, and shifting there wasn't easy. Later, everything fell into place, and I moved to Mumbai to pursue my dreams."

"When I stepped in, it was clear in my mind that I would not have much time and would have to achieve my dreams while being aware of all the struggles and fighting them all alone. So I hustled really hard with online and offline auditions. I was shooting for a film that never got released. Later I started doing digital ads and looking for TV shows, and I got my break as an antagonist in Dhartiputra Nandini," she recalled.

"Today, my family is my biggest motivation, especially my father. He has accepted my dreams as his own and supports me more than ever to pursue them," she concluded.