Exclusive - Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor Rahul Sharma on evolving as an actor through observation: When we observe, we learn a lot

Actor Rahul Sharma, currently seen in the popular show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, believes that one of the most powerful tools for growth in an actor’s journey is observation. With more than a decade of experience in the television industry, Rahul says that he continues to learn every single day—not just from his own performances, but from closely watching the artists around him.“I constantly try to improve my craft by observing people, not only on my current show but across the television and film industry,” he shares. “On the set of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, I’m surrounded by so many performers, and I make it a point to observe how they deliver dialogues, how they carry their characters, and how they respond emotionally in different scenes. These subtle things teach you a lot, especially when you’re not formally being taught.

”Rahul explains that observation doesn’t mean imitation. “There’s a big difference between copying someone and observing them. Observation is about understanding the intent behind a performance—the way a senior actor holds a pause, the shift in their tone, their eye movements, the silence between the lines. It’s about absorbing those nuances and then interpreting them in your own way. That’s how growth happens,” he says.

Apart from watching his co-actors on set, Rahul also takes inspiration from performers across television and Bollywood. He says, “Sometimes, a single scene or a single expression by an actor in a film can stay with you for days. You start thinking—how did they do it so naturally? That’s the kind of impact observation can have. It makes you curious, analytical, and more self-aware as an artist.”He believes that observation, when done with sincerity and openness, gradually becomes part of an actor’s own process.

“If you observe deeply, with your heart in it, you start internalizing what you see. These skills or responses don’t come from a textbook or acting manual—they come from lived experiences and emotional understanding. That’s something no acting school can fully teach.”Rahul further explains that acting is a personal and evolving journey. “Every actor has their own rhythm, their own emotional depth, and their own way of interpreting a character.

That’s why I don’t believe in the concept of ‘perfection’ in acting. There is no fixed formula. I think the audience connects to honesty, not perfection. And to stay honest in your performance, you have to stay grounded, aware, and ever-evolving.

”He says he wants his performances to reflect a sense of realism and relatability. “I want my USP as an actor to be something organic—something that feels effortless and connects with people.

Whether it's a light-hearted scene or an emotional breakdown, I want the audience to feel what I’m feeling.”Looking ahead, Rahul is clear that growth for an actor is never-ending. “As I take on more diverse roles in the future, I know I will have to adapt and transform. That’s the beauty of this profession—you’re never stagnant. For me, observation is the first step in that transformation. Then comes preparation, and finally, surrendering to the character during the performance. It all has to come from within. Whatever I do, I do it with complete sincerity, with all my heart.

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