Renuka Shahane has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for nearly forty years. She commenced her career in Marathi television and progressed to feature in renowned films, ultimately carving out a space for herself in slice-of-life narratives. Her forthcoming project, Dupahiya, features her in the role of a village pradhan within a rural comedy filled with misunderstandings. In an interview with HT, Renuka shares insights about the show and reflects on her journey to date.

Renukha Shahane on Dupahiya

In the program, the dupahiya (two-wheeler) represents a symbol of aspiration for the lower middle-class rural demographic in India. When inquired about her aspirations during her upbringing, Renuka provides an unexpected response: "I lacked ambition throughout my childhood. I never dreamed of becoming an actor. I excelled academically. However, there was one desire I held, which has now been fulfilled—becoming a mother."

Renuka's foray into acting was serendipitous, emerging from her involvement in theatre. Over the past decade, she has adopted a more selective approach to her roles. Discussing her motivations for participating in projects like Dupahiya, she states, "I am discerning in my choices due to my numerous responsibilities. I cannot take on excessive work. The compensation is crucial for me, as I weigh the activities I engage in outside the home against my duties as a mother, wife, and bahu."

Hum Aapke Hain Koun memes keep me alive

Renuka is fondly remembered by one generation as the host of Surabhi, the iconic variety show on Doordarshan. However, to younger viewers, she is recognized as the ill-fated Pooja from Hum Aapke Hain Koun. She expresses amusement when we bring up the fact that the scene depicting her character's fall down the stairs has evolved into an internet meme over time. "I find it quite enjoyable because it resembles pop art. It transcends generations in a unique manner," she remarks, further stating, "As an actor, one must remain open to various possibilities. Engaging with different mediums and staying current is essential; otherwise, you risk becoming irrelevant, even if you are part of a significant film."

Renuka emphasizes that phenomena like memes play a crucial role in maintaining the relevance of 'actors of a certain age' in contemporary society. She elaborates, "Such elements keep you in the conversation; otherwise, our society tends to be ageist. After reaching a certain age, the attention you receive often does not reflect your true talent. Memes and similar content help sustain your presence." 

Dupahiya also features Gajraj Rao, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Sparsh Srivastava, and Bhuvan Arora. The series is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video on March 7.

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