Pooja, portrayed by Renuka Shahane as the quintessential "girl next door," evoked deep emotions in audiences during the 1994 blockbuster Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! Recently, she has shared her experiences regarding the time when she was unjustly criticized for her role.

No regrets, but industry perceptions were limiting

Renuka stated in an interview with Filme Shilmy that the part never made her feel restricted. The actor did reveal, though, that many in the film industry had trouble seeing her in parts beyond them.

Renuka disclosed that casting directors would never consider her capable of embodying characters with subtle complexities or those exhibiting cruelty. As an actress, she expressed a desire to explore a wider range of roles, feeling constrained by the limitations imposed on her. Even her television roles predominantly featured relatable women firmly rooted in the Indian value system, largely due to the significant impact of that particular role. Renuka found herself consistently offered such characters, yet she had no objections to embracing the stereotypes associated with them.

Emotional reactions on the film set

Renuka reminisced about her experience on the set of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and noted how deeply affected the cast and crew were by her photograph. Each individual appeared profoundly serious, as she recalled. During her visit to the set to assess the progress, she could only observe with a smile while everyone around her was in tears. Upon noticing her, they commented that she was sitting there laughing at their emotional state. They urged her to leave the set, insisting that they were trying to focus on their work as they gently pushed her aside.

Furthermore, Renuka mentioned that the hospital scene posed a significant challenge for her late co-star Reema Lagoo, who portrayed her mother, as it depicted her character's tragic end. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! was directed by Sooraj Barjatya and featured Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan in leading roles.

Renuka Shahane’s upcoming project: Dupahiya

Dupahiya is an upcoming web series created and penned by Chirag Garg and Avinash Dwivedi, with direction by Sonam Nair. This series marks Renuka's latest project and will be available on Prime Video. The cast includes Gajraj Rao, Bhuvan Arora, Sparsh Shrivastava, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Yashpal Sharma. The premiere date is set for March 7, 2025.

In the meantime, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! is currently available for streaming on both Prime Video and ZEE5.

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