Smita Sinkar Shah on managing two shows: Acting is something I truly love; it doesn’t feel like a burden

Smita Sinkar Shah is juggling two plays—Jagadhatri, where she plays the role of Uma, and Udne Ki Aasha, where she is seen as Shakuntala. Both shows are produced by Rahul Kumar Tewary. While she accepted that it is challenging, she admitted that it is quite fulfilling.

She said, “It gets hectic at times, especially when I have to shoot for one show in the morning and another in the evening, or even switch between sets in a single day. But since acting is something I truly love, it doesn’t feel like a burden. In fact, it keeps me active, sharp, and creatively engaged throughout the day. It comes with practice. I mentally reset between scenes and stay in the moment.”

“The tone of both characters is very different, so the switch happens naturally. Shakuntala is light, warm, and has a comic, relatable energy. Uma, on the other hand, is strong, layered, and more intense. I usually prepare by observing my expressions, sometimes even rehearsing in front of a mirror, so I can align my body language and emotions with the character. It’s about balancing emotions with intent. You stay connected to the character’s core while adapting to the situation,” she added.

Both shows had their own dynamics that pulled her. She said, “Udne Ki Aasha attracted me because of its simplicity and relatability—it’s a very slice-of-life, heartwarming story. I instantly connected with Shakuntala. Jagadhatri, on the other hand, excited me because of the complexity of Uma’s character. It’s layered, evolving, and has shades that challenge you as an actor.”

But both are demanding in their own right. She said, “Uma in Jagadhatri is definitely more emotionally demanding because of her depth and the situations she goes through. Shakuntala, while lighter, has her own emotional base—she’s lonely yet loving. Both characters are unique in their own ways, and that’s what makes playing them so enjoyable.”

Even her acting approach varies for both the characters. She said, “For a lighter show like Udne Ki Aasha, I go more with the flow and keep the performance natural and easy. I take it one scene at a time, understanding the background and motivation. Uma doesn’t react impulsively—she processes and then responds, which helps maintain depth. For Jagadhatri, I spend more time understanding the scene, the backstory, and the emotional layers. I also observe a lot of small details, expressions, and reactions to make the character more believable.

Smita mentioned that there have been moments where experiences from one show helped her perform better in the other. She said, “Observing co-actors and working with such strong teams in both shows have helped me grow. The learning I get from one set, whether it’s performance nuances or emotional depth, definitely reflects in the other.”

She is happy with the audience’s response to both shows. She said, “The response has been amazing and very different for both. People absolutely love Shakuntala; she’s warm, funny, and relatable. For Uma, especially when she had negative shades, I received strong reactions, even anger, from the audience. But that’s actually very satisfying as an actor because it means the character is connecting. I ensure Uma reacts individually to each situation, maintaining her graph without losing the larger narrative.”

But for her, the biggest challenge is emotional balance, especially on days when she is not feeling well or going through something personal. She said, “Portraying a character who shifts from positive to gray. It requires restraint and precision. I remember once I had to shoot a funny scene right after hearing about a personal loss—it was extremely difficult. But as actors, we learn to push through and give our best.”

She confessed that both shows have helped her grow immensely. She said, “Playing two completely different characters at the same time has made me more versatile and aware as an actor. I’ve learned to adapt quickly, understand deeper emotions, and bring more authenticity to my performances.”

She is all praise for the producer Rahul Kumar Tewary. “He is a truly wonderful human being—warm, kind, and incredibly comforting. I have experienced this across both teams, and it all comes from him. When the production environment is so positive, it naturally reflects on everyone—it feels like a family. Even though I don’t interact with him very often, his presence is always felt. The team is so supportive that you hardly get a chance to complain. I feel truly blessed and grateful that I got the opportunity to work with him and be a part of such a nurturing environment,” Smita ended.