Gulki Joshi, who has carved a niche for herself on Indian television, was in Ahmedabad to promote her new show Hui Gumm Yaadein–Ek Doctor, Do Zindagiyaan. She spoke about portraying strong-willed women on screen, the evolving television landscape, and how her enduring love for theatre continues to shape her craft.
'Glad I am not doing a regressive TV show'
Gulki is back on the small screen after a two-year break. She says, “It feels great. I’ve never played a doctor before, and it was always on my wish list. I wanted to play a cop, and I did. I wanted to play a doctor, and now I’m doing that too. It’s a wonderful feeling. The show is comparatively more relaxed than the others I’ve done. I get to wear beautiful saris and work with amazing co-actors.”
Asked about TV content today, she adds, “I feel films of the ’80s and ’90s are comparable to much of today’s television, which often leans towards regressive storytelling. I consider myself fortunate not to be part of that. The show I’m doing is cut from a completely different cloth. It’s neither melodramatic nor over-the-top. The story, concept, and central conflict are intense enough on their own, without needing any exaggeration. The characters, their relationships, and their dynamics naturally bring all the drama the narrative requires.”
'Both TV and OTT have their positives and negatives'
With the OTT boom, is TV looking more regressive? Gulki, who has done web shows too, says, “That’s exactly why we came up with a show like Yaadein. Honestly, I don’t think OTT is consistently producing exceptionally progressive content either. We still see gang wars, political dramas, and many shows built around similar themes. I feel that once Indians—whether audiences or makers—connect with a particular format, everyone tends to hold on to it and keep replicating it. So, I don’t think OTT is necessarily doing much better, nor is television becoming significantly more progressive. Both mediums have their positives and negatives. I feel fortunate to have found a middle ground with a progressive show that I genuinely enjoy working on.”
'Nothing humbles you as quickly as theatre does'
Gulki, who is an active theatre artiste too, says balancing TV and theatre is possible. “If everything is planned in advance, it’s manageable. My play dates are scheduled well ahead, the production team is accommodating, and I’ve built a strong support system around me,” she says. She adds, “Any actor who wants to be a true artiste should do theatre. If you just want to become a star, you can choose any medium. But artistry comes from soul, pain, experience—and theatre. Nothing humbles you as quickly as theatre does. There are no retakes or reshoots. Whether you perform brilliantly or poorly, the audience reacts instantly. You have to stay present, keep performing, and make it a worthwhile experience. That demand for 100 per cent presence of mind is excruciating, but once you master it, you become unstoppable. Then camera acting, OTT, everything else becomes a piece of cake. Theatre is like the hardware—if that’s sorted, you can handle anything.”
'Tried playing soft characters, par woh hua nahi mujhse'
Gulki, who is often associated with strong female leads, explains, “I have never thought that I only want to play strong female characters. I think I’m just good at it because that’s who I am as a person, and maybe that reflects in my work. It’s not like I haven’t tried playing softer characters. I’ve done roles where I had to cry and express those emotions, par woh hua nahi mujhse. And even when I did, it turned out so badly that nobody cast me in those kinds of roles again (laughs)!”
'I am ok with people calling me Haseena for the rest of my life'
Gulki became a household name with Maddam Sir, and audiences still fondly remember her as Haseena. Is she trying to break away from that image? She says, “Not at all—I’m embracing it. Look at the actors from Friends; they’re still known by their characters and are proud of it. So why shouldn’t I be? I’m perfectly okay with people calling me Haseena for the rest of my life. For the masses, I know I’ll always be Haseena. But those who truly pay attention to performances and the craft also notice my other work. And I’m happy with that.” Talking about the city, Gulki says, "Ahmedabad has always been special to me because most of my fans and followers are from Gujarat, whether through Maddam Sir or Yaadein. Whenever I bring my plays to the city, the response is overwhelming. I also love the food here—khandvi, dhokla, fafda and jalebi are absolute must-haves every time I visit."
