Rajan Shahi reveals the woman behind Anupamaa
Producer Rajan Shahi says his own mother inspired Anupamaa, a show that launched while television's future looked uncertain.
Rajan Shahi says his mother helped inspire Anupamaa. Speaking at FICCI Frames 2026 about the serial's beginnings during the pandemic, he recalled an industry facing uncertainty, when people said television was over and only reruns were playing. A mother's story, he said, really worked. For him, the show's achievement includes the conversations it has encouraged about how families treat women, particularly mothers and wives.
"Men are also watching the show, which changed their mindset too towards their mothers and wives," he said. Rupali Ganguly, who plays the title role, credited him with restarting her career.
