Neha SK Mehta on her character in Itti Si Khushi: Audience has mostly seen my docile, soft-spoken side, and now I’m showing them a louder, bolder facet

Itti Si Khushi follows the emotional journey of Anvita (Sumbul Touqeer Khan) and her siblings as they navigate life’s struggles with resilience and hope. With their father, Suhas (Varun Badola), weighed down by addictions, debts and impulsive choices, Anvita takes on responsibilities far beyond her years.

As the story unfolds, Neha SK Mehta steps into the role of Hetal Divekar, Anvita’s estranged mother whose unexpected return to the family stirs their world. In this conversation, Neha SK Mehta sheds light on stepping into the vibrant character of Hetal, a woman whose bold energy, unapologetic individuality, and dramatic comeback have added a powerful new dimension to the show’s storytelling.How would you describe Hetal’s personality and her role in Itti Si Khushi?Many people tell me that Hetal is completely unlike who I am in real life, and that’s absolutely true.

She’s the total opposite of Neha! I’m quite subtle, loving, quiet, and thoughtful by nature, while Hetal Divekar is a complete bomb, unstoppable, fiery, and bold. She’s known for her power, speed, and that untamed, unrestrained spirit. Her character is colourful, over the top, and full of life. She’s the kind of woman who refuses to conform to how society expects a wife or mother to behave, she lives life on her own terms, unapologetically and authentically.

What drew you to the character of Hetal?What drew me first to Hetal is her bold outspokenness. I tend to internalise my feelings and perhaps sulk or carry the weight of the world quietly. Hetal, on the other hand, compels others to confront their faults, whether through laughter, blunt truth, or simply refusing to tolerate nonsense. What I love about Hetal is that she maintains her own identity and personality. I believe that when a woman preserves her individuality, she can truly be a daughter, sister, wife or mother.

That fresh angle of “aaj ki naari” excited me. Additionally, returning to the channel felt like a homecoming. When family calls, you go back and their belief in me and in this role convinced me to return.Hetal is an unapologetically grey shade character, how do you prepare to play this role?Playing a character like Hetal requires creating a clear distinction between her world and mine. On set, I often receive instant reactions because people find her boldness and straightforward nature striking, which to me is a sign that the character is connecting strongly.

From my workshops with veterans like Anupam Kher and Naseer Sir, and through years in the industry, I’ve learned to enjoy that process without taking it personally.

The real fun lies in portraying someone so different from myself. My preparation starts with reading the script, understanding her motivations, and practicing her accent and energy, since Hetal’s tone and rhythm are very different from my own. I warm up by spending time with my hair, makeup, and costume teams, and the directors, which helps me ease into her mindset.

For me, Hetal isn’t a negative character, she’s vibrant and full of layers, and that’s exactly what makes her so exciting to play.Does playing such a negative role ever get emotionally exhausting, or do you enjoy the challenge?I do enjoy the challenge very much. Yes, sometimes it is emotionally exhausting, shifting between multiple shades in a single day can be taxing. But I believe real growth comes through challenges. Doing something different from everyday life brings immense satisfaction. My audience has mostly seen my subtle, docile, nice and soft-spoken side, the typical beautiful Indian woman, and now I’m showing them a louder, bolder, more assertive facet.

It feels refreshing to break that image. The character has been received so well; people are surprised and excited to see me play someone so uninhibited and strong. I often tell my creative team, directors, costume designers, this success is like a box of sweets I’d love to share with everyone who made Hetal possible. The love from the audience and the faith of my team make me feel truly grateful and happy.What can viewers expect from Hetal in the upcoming episodes?Viewers can expect genuine variety. Our show brings together young talent, seasoned actors and newcomers and everyone is giving their best, and that creates rich diversity in both performance and story.

I regularly tell people back home that Itti Si Khushi is going to bring a lot of happiness into their lives because it carries many shades, the show is fun and lively, yet it carries a message. What is special is that it caters to all age-groups, not just one demographic.

While the show asserts that most people have goodness in them, it also acknowledges that sometimes life forces you to become strong, or even a bit selfish and that is okay.How has your experience been working with the cast of Itti Si Khushi?Every experience in my career is a treasure, and this one is no different. The set is beautiful, the people are fantastic, and I consider this project a meaningful feather in my cap. I view challenges as opportunities for growth. My vision is expansive and I am committed to rising further, this is one step forward. Working here allows me to learn, to grow, and to push myself every day.After portraying different roles, what keeps you motivated and passionate as an actor?What keeps me motivated is the daily experience: audience reactions, their love and support. Acting is my bread and butter, my life’s journey. People often tell me that when I play a role, it touches their heart. If I can be part of someone’s life and contribute positively, that is deeply fulfilling. I believe in destiny, in prayer, in the wisdom behind human life, progress and happiness. The aspiration to do work that impacts society and people’s minds keeps me passionate.