Exclusive- Gulki Joshi on TV shows, characters and work after Maddam Sir: 2024 witnessed such a massive dip, 3 of my projects were 99% ready and didn't finalise

Gulki Joshi has been a household name since her stint with Maddam Sir. Though the show wrapped quite some time ago, her character Haseena Malik still stays irreplaceable. Gulki made interesting cameo appearances in shows like Wagle Ki Duniya, Vanshaj and so on. Now, in an exclusive conversation with Times Of India TV, Gulki gets candid about losing out on 3 major projects in 2024, characters she would like to play and more.

When you are an actor, then you are an actor. There is no different feeling when you are doing TV or OTT. It is the same process, how you get into the skin of the character, understanding the layers and all. When it comes out on the platform, that is when its definition changes. But my hard work is the same irrespective of the platform. I put my heart and soul and my work, but it is segregated by the viewers.

Maddam Sir has spoilt me so much, until and unless it is not a strong and meaningful character as that I don't think I will be able to do something on TV. The very brutal reality is that our industry, especially after 2024 witnessed such a massive dip, I cannot pick a show with that same surety nor can I refuse.

If god forbid I have to work for survival, I will do a show, no matter how daily soapy it is, no matter how typical it is. It is a brutal reality of our industry, I know so many actors who went back home because they were out of work. And that scares me.

Read more: Gulki Joshi recalls how she was nearly molested while presenting an award to MS Dhoni; says ‘Was mobbed to the level of being scared’​

For three of my projects, 99% set was ready and everything was done, and then it wasn't finalised. 2024 was so scary and the time was really bad. I have never witnessed something like that. By god's grace, I don't have extravagant expenses and want to live a fake fancy life. I am a very grounded person, and my head is on my shoulder so somehow I manage and not let myself dip and move on and march on.

To make one show, at least 100 people are involved and 100 livelihoods are dependent. It is very difficult for others to survive. It is very brutal, the whole year was very eye-opening. So if given a choice I would love to do a strong role and not a daily soap character.