‘This is not uncertainty, it is rejuvenation’: Shubhangi Atre on taking a break after 10-year TV run

After a decade-long journey with Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain, actor Shubhangi Atre is currently in a relatively quieter phase of her career. While such breaks in the entertainment industry are often associated with uncertainty or self-doubt, she sees this period very differently. In an exclusive conversation with Business Upturn, she reflects on stepping back from constant shooting, focusing on personal growth, and redefining her creative journey. For her, this is not a pause driven by doubt, but a conscious phase of rejuvenation, reinvention and preparation for future work.

Interview

How has this shift from a busy shooting schedule to a quieter phase felt on a personal level, and how do you navigate the uncertainty that comes with waiting for the right opportunity?

First of all, 10 years is not a small time. It is a very long journey to be part of a show where you are shooting every day and constantly in front of the camera. That was an incredible experience.
I would not call this an uncertain phase. I would call it a phase of disconnecting a little. When you play an iconic character, it stays in people’s minds along with your face. So I feel this is not a phase of uncertainty, but a time to rejuvenate, recharge and reinvent yourself before coming back with a bang.

This is the time to work on yourself, groom yourself and explore yourself. It is a natural part of the industry. You do one project, then take a break, and then move on to another. Over time, you also become more selective and want to do work that satisfies your soul.

So for me, this is a time to rejuvenate and reinvent myself, and I will come back soon with a good character.

Many actors speak about gaps in work leading to self-doubt or loss of momentum. Have you experienced that during this phase, and what has helped you stay emotionally steady?

I don’t think so. When you enter this industry, you are already aware of the pros and cons. You know the working pattern, that after one project you may get another in two, three or even six months.

This is why people in this field become like long-distance runners. This gap is not about self-doubt. It is actually about disconnecting and preparing yourself for a new character. You need time to remove the memory of the previous role and come into a new form.

Right now, I am celebrating myself and discovering myself as an actor. Earlier, I used to immediately slip into a certain tone or pattern as soon as the camera was on. Now that is changing. I feel my creative memory is fading in a healthy way, which allows reinvention.

As far as self doubt is concerned, it comes when success is not handled well. However, this industry also teaches you financial discipline, to save for rainy days so you can survive with dignity and choose the right work.

I am looking at this phase very positively. Life teaches you something in every phase, whether high or low. Sometimes you prepare yourself for it in advance. I don’t believe acting is only about being in front of the camera all the time. I want to focus on quality work.

How has this break—through travel, family time and personal growth—changed your perspective on your career?

During this break, I have travelled a lot. I also took my parents on holiday. I have been working on my farmhouse, although earlier I could only visit once a month. Now I go regularly.

For the first time, I realised that in the last four months I did not need to buy any fruits because I was consuming what I grew on my farm. Fresh, chemical-free fruits—it has been a very fulfilling experience.
I have also restarted my dance practice and very soon I will be posting a dance video. I am reinventing myself and trying to understand myself better as an actor. I am waiting for the right opportunity and I am confident it will come.

You’ve been spotted at various places—do you feel that being visible, both socially and digitally, plays a role today in getting work in the entertainment industry? With the rise of social media and constant public visibility, do you think an actor today needs to be ‘seen’ as much as they need to be talented to stay relevant?

Yes, I agree that visibility is important, but it should be meaningful and not excessive.
For example, when I attended Kavi Sammelan, there were media people present and it was a wonderful interaction. There was a different kind of positive atmosphere there. If I go to my farmhouse, I am open to media coverage as well, but in a balanced and respectful way.

Being visible is important, no doubt. But I want to leave a good memory in the audience’s mind. I don’t believe in quantity; I believe in quality.