Exclusive! Shrenu Parikh on dating Akshay Mhatre: We will tie the knot when we feel we are ready

Shrenu Parikh, who is currently playing the lead role in Maitree, is happy that the show has got an extension. The show, which premiered in February, was all set to go off air in the last week of July. Shrenu tells us, “I was not on the set when I got this news (of extension), but our team celebrated the moment. I am glad because a show going off air during the rainy season can be tough, especially for the crew.

Now, the show has got an extension of two or three weeks and if the ratings stabilise, hopefully it will be extended further.” In a chat with us, the actress talks about handling the pressure of being the face of a daily show, dating her Ghar Ek Mandir– Kripa Agrasen Maharaj Ki co-starAkshay Mhatre and more.

‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my role in Maitree’

Being the face of a show (Maitree) isn’t easy, more so when it’s telecast on all days of the week and people expect you around throughout the episode. There are a lot of expectations, but I have enjoyed the challenge. Right from the second month (March), there were people who said it will go off air soon, but we have completed almost six months and it’s a big achievement in today’s times. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role in the show.
‘I am a difficult person, but Akshay handles my tantrums well’
Shrenu, who made her relationship with Akshay public earlier this year, is all praise for him. She says, “Akshay is just the kind of guy you would like to introduce to your parents. We are very similar in many ways. He grew up in a joint family set-up and I love the way he takes care of everyone in the family. I am a difficult person, but he handles my tantrums well. He is a very sensitive and understanding guy. On the professional front too, we would love to work together again. Our families have met and while there’s nothing to announce right now, we have received the green signal from our elders. We are heading towards it (marriage) and whenever Akshay and I feel ready, we will take the giant leap.”
‘There is no formula for success on TV’
Talking about how most TV shows are finding it difficult to complete even one year before being wrapped up, Shrenu says, “Post COVID-19, things have not been easy and there have been TV shows that have wrapped up in just 20 days or in a month! I feel TV still has a mixed audience. There are people who love typical saas-bahudramas, while others prefer romantic stories or progressive shows. The medium is trying to experiment but there is no formula for success. TV is my comfort zone, but I am open to doing good work on OTT in both Hindi and Gujarati. It’s important to move out of that comfort zone and explore opportunities. I was thrilled with the kind of response my OTT projects like Damaged 3 and Kshadyantrareceived. I haven’t explored comedy yet and it has been a while since I did a typical love story.”
Shrenu’s on-screen pairing with Zain Imam (Ek Bhram…Sarvagun Sampanna)and Kunal Jaisingh (Ishqbaaaz) was loved by the audiences. Asked about why hit jodisare rarely cast again on Indian television, except for rare instances like Nakuul Mehta and Disha Parmar reuniting for the third season of Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, she shares, “While I would love to work with my previous co-stars because they are exceptional performers, I feel makers are sceptical about repeating jodis. They probably feel it’s too fresh in public memory and want to try out new jodis.”

‘I am open to doing another Gujarat film’

It has been a while since I made my debut in Gujarati films with Lamboo Rastoo(2018) and I am aware that quite a few Gujarati films have done well since then. I am open to doing another Gujarat film soon if I am offered an exciting role.