Srishti Singh on her character in Yaadein: The toughest part about playing a character who is hiding her feelings is showing those hidden emotions subtly

Yaadein continues to keep viewers emotionally invested with its layered storytelling and compelling relationships as Dr Dev Mehta (Iqbal Khan) struggles with a life changed due to loss of memories. The emotional tale is centered around Srishti Singh as Dr Vaani, whose character has beautifully evolved through heartbreak, acceptance and personal growth after Dr Dev’s memory loss. Dr Vaani continues to balance her personal and professional life with immense emotional turmoil and remarkable strength and grace making her one of the most relatable and loved characters on the show.

In this candid conversation, Srishti talks about Dr Vaani’s emotional journey, shooting intense scenes with Iqbal Khan, fun moments on the sets and what’s in store for her character.

Given Dr Vaani’s heartbreak of being forgotten by someone she loves, how do you personally connect with that emotion?

I don't think I would have been able to handle a thing like that as maturely as Dr Vaani does. I’m an emotional person and I react pretty quickly so having been forgotten by someone I love would have totally broken me. And that is where I feel I am very different from Dr Vaani because despite her heartbreak, she continues to manage her personal and professional life with so much grace and strength.

What is the toughest part about playing a character who has to hide her feelings?

The hardest part about playing a character who is hiding her feelings is to show those hidden feelings subtly on camera. As an actor you have to hide your feelings during the scene but you want the audience to be able to feel the pain or conflict of the character. That balance is actually very hard to maintain because everything has to flow naturally in your expressions, not in words. Sometimes the character is trying to look strong on the outside but breaking down emotionally inside and playing that layered emotion convincingly takes a lot of control and sensitivity as an actor.

How does Dr Vaani cope with seeing Dr Dev move on without her?

Dr Vaani accepts the reality and coping up with the situation but it is very painful for her. The worst part for her is that Dr Dev hasn’t moved on intentionally he has just forgotten their love and now has feelings for Dr Srishti. There are some situations where you really have no control when it comes to matters of the heart and Dr Vaani understands that love cannot be forced. So she decides to be strong, to go on with her duties, and to bear that pain silently with maturity and grace instead of reacting impulsively.

How has it been working with Iqbal Khan on such emotionally intense scen

Working with Iqbal Khan has been a great experience. He’s a great actor, a great guy. That feeling of comfort and understanding makes it easier to do those emotional intense scenes. “I think the audience should see our emotional scenes but also enjoy the lighter moments between the characters. These are just as much fun moments. Iqbal is good in emotional scenes but his timing and awareness is really good.” He brings so much energy and spontaneity into every scene and that’s what makes it a more enjoyable experience for me as a co-actor.

What are some fun or unexpected moments from the set with the cast that stand out for you?

There are lots of fun moments on set but the biggest thing is how much Iqbal loves to joke around with everyone. He likes teasing me especially, but no one is safe from his good-natured roast on the set. His playful nature keeps the atmosphere lively, cheerful and full of laugh. Even when it’s a busy shooting schedule, he knows how to keep the mood light and everyone entertained. The fun energy and spontaneous banter are some of the best parts of working with each other.