One of the most popular faces on Indian television, Helly Shah is excited about the expansion of her career arc in Season 5 of Gullak, which is now streaming on SonyLIV. The widely watched series — focusing on the highs and lows of the Mishra family in small-town India — has Helly, 30, playing the pivotal role of Preeti, the romantic interest of the family’s elder son Annu, a role that sees Anant V. Joshi making an entry this season. t2 chatted with the Ishq Mein Marjawan actress to know more about Gullak and the way forward for her career.
You joined Gullak in Season 4 and in the current season, you have a larger role. What is it like being part of such a loved show?
It is amazing... it is a dream come true! Being part of such a shaandaar team is an achievement in itself.
This season, my character has expanded and I was given a proper brief and a proper backstory about Dr Preeti. Things like woh kya karti hain, kahaan se aayi hain, what her struggles are and how the character’s arc would pan out during this season. The writing was so strong in itself that I didn’t have to really add my own inputs. About 90-95 per cent of what you see on the show comes from the script itself, while the rest is improvised on set. During the readings, we thought about certain ideas and tweaked them accordingly. I saw my character grow a lot this season and there is a different angle to her story.
Preeti comes in with a love story, an important side track which has normally not been seen in the Gullak universe before. It has been refreshing for the audience.
Anant V. Joshi has entered this season as Annu, earlier played by Vaibhav Raj Singh. How did you develop your chemistry this time around?
It has been quite organic, to be honest. The two of us really didn’t have to work on it. We had a couple of readings before we went on set and that was enough. Anant is such a great actor and it has been a treat working with him. I have learnt so many things from the suggestions he came up with. We are also doing another show together called Chumbak. We also have a good bond off-set; we share memes!
Going forward, I want Preeti to give Annu space to grow and evolve as an individual. She is trying to figure out things in her life and so is Annu. So I feel that both of them should first achieve something in their lives, they should support each other and then bring in the chaos when she probably enters the Mishra family!
What was it like meeting the Mishra family this season?
I have met Geetanjali ma’am (Kulkarni), Jameel sir (Khan) and Sunita ma’am (Rajwar) earlier, at parties and award functions. I was a little nervous before we filmed the scene between Preeti and the family. But Geetanjali ma’am was like: “Tujhe nervous hona nahin hain. Tere ko kuch nahi karna padega.” After a point, things got pretty chill. That happens with me normally... the nervousness hits me and then leaves. I realised that there was no reason for me to get intimidated.
What will be the audience’s takeaway from this season?
I feel that every season of Gullak has some takeaway or the other, whether it is about the family or even individually. It teaches that all through your highs and lows, your family will always be at your side. Through thick and thin, they will support you. That kind of support is what helps you grow in life. So don’t ever take your family for granted — just support them, love them as much as you can and make them happy.
You started working at 15. You have done TV, OTT and cinema. How do you feel your career has progressed over time?
I am happy with the way I have grown as an actor and also as an individual because TV has shaped me and made me who I am. Eventually, it has given me the liberty and luxury to choose things for myself — like aagey kya karna hain, kahaan jaana hain, kaise expand karna hain. I am very happy with and proud of all the decisions I have taken so far. Some may not have come easy to me, but they were needed for me to grow in life.
The goal going forward is to do more work that showcases different sides of me as an actor and displays a certain trajectory of growth. I feel that when you do a lot of television, then the audience expects you to have a certain kind of journey as an actor. I don’t want to do what is already the norm, in terms of reality shows and non-fiction shows. I want to build a different graph for myself as an actor.
Are you looking at Bollywood?
I have a lot of aspirations. I want to do films and also I work in the web space. I have worked in Gujarati films and I want to do work in the South also. As an actor, I am taking baby steps and figuring things out as I go along. I am a bit of an introvert aur mujhe apna space bahut pyaara hain. I want to do things at my own pace, I don’t want to be in a rat race. I want to do things that make me happy.
On the list of things I want to do are a period drama, as well as a character that has a completely different dialect, maybe Bhojpuri, something that people might not ever imagine me doing. I have played characters that are strong, independent and modern, and now I want to play women with whom I can surprise myself and the audience. I have genuinely surprised myself in Chumbak. Comedy is very difficult and it has been my first time attempting it. I am genuinely happy that people will get to see a different side of me.
What have your biggest learnings been from working on that show?
Neena ma’am (Gupta) is so badass and unapologetically herself. That is such a rare quality to have. The way she performs is so effortless. I am someone who analyses anything and everything, while she has the quality of doing things effortlessly. Just aap baith ke dekh rahein ho aur aapko lagta hai ki yaar aisa banna hai mujhe. At her age, the way she carries herself and the way she works so hard — 12 hours a day without a single complaint — is commendable.
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