Shruti Seth Aslam is an Indian actress and a television VJ, born and brought up in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Seth rose to fame for her role as Jiya Malhotra in Star Plus’s comedy series Shararat.
She then ventured into more prominent film roles later in her career, having made her debut in 2003 with Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II. She has played supporting roles in films including Fanaa (2006) and Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Seth went on star in Disney Channel’s original series The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir, and has hosted several Indian television shows including the Comedy Circus series.
Women Fitness joins the superbly talented actress and mom on her journey to fame and fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started your career in modelling as a side work and went on to become a household name with your role in SHARARAT, tell us how has this journey been for you?
Ms. Shruti Seth:
So I started modelling just as a way to make some pocket money, soon after college and I ended up becoming an actor by accident. I did a couple of shows before I got picked to play the character of Jia in Shararat, and little did I know that it was going to be a landmark show in my career. And even 15 years later, people still remember me as a buddy on TV. So one can only be grateful for these kinds of chance happenings in your life.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness Org
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
It is often said that an actress career take a pause once she has been married and has a kid, and here you are proving it totally wrong, Tell us what were the changes you faced in your career post marriage.
Ms. Shruti Seth:
But I think a big part of the western world has not stuck to that at all. Women have been working world over before and after kids. What I would say is that it definitely becomes a little difficult because you know, your attention and your priorities get split. The ease with which you could do work before becoming a mother is definitely kind of diluted once you have a child. But I think I’m very fortunate that I have a very supportive husband. My parents live close by and we have a fantastic network of moms, all of whom are working, and we all kind of fill in for each other. So I would say that I’m just grateful that I have a very, very, very supportive family that I’ve been able to go back to work.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Fitness plays a very important role in an actor’s life, tell us how you manage to look so fit with tight schedules. 5 favourite indoor exercises.
Ms. Shruti Seth:
I’ve always been inclined towards fitness, even from the time I was almost 16 years old. I’ve always made working out a big part of my life and it hasn’t really. Of course, you know, there is vanity and one has to look a certain way when you are in a certain profession. But I think I’ve been into fitness long before I even decided to become an actor. I’ve always dabbled in things that keep challenging my fitness levels. And what has happened over the years, though, is that I’ve become more and more drawn towards yoga. I’ve been practicing yoga now for almost a decade and I did it. You know, I practiced yoga for a really long time and now it’s been two years since I switched to Iyengar.
Unfortunately, because of my work schedules, my workouts don’t take a bit of a beating every time I’m very, very busy because one has to choose between catching up, on sleep, vis-a-vis trying to do. You know, even if it’s a 20-minute workout and hardly sleep always trumps. But overall, I think what’s important is that even if you can maintain some sort of active lifestyle, the idea is to just keep moving. And there’s something that a very dear friend of mine told me that it’s not about how much you work out, it’s how often you work out. The consistency matters more than the actual time. So if you make sure that you walk outside, even if it’s for 15 minutes daily, it amounts to a lot in the larger scheme of things.
Five Indoor exercises would be :
- Wall sit
- Plank
- General Squats
- Bench press
- Lunges
things that you don’t really need any equipment for.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you follow any particular diet, what is a big no in your diet? 5 favourite dishes.
Ms. Shruti Seth:
I don’t really follow any diet. I’m lucky I’ve always liked the food that’s been healthy so that I think I’ve just been very fond of. I’ve spent my whole childhood eating cucumbers and it’s my favourite food even till date. So luckily for me, I think all my go-to fix’s are all healthy foods.
I enjoy eating fruits and veggies and I’ve never had a sweet tooth, which is again a boon so. I don’t really follow a strict diet as such, but I just make sure that I eat balanced food I don’t really binge on junk and I don’t stop myself from an occasional treat here and there. If I suddenly feel like eating a pizza, I had the same amount of excitement as a cucumber. But I think, you know, every single person will always tell you that the most important thing in life is moderation. So whatever you do, if you do it moderately, I don’t think it can harm you. But you are cultivating good habits which has its own plus side. So if you feel the need to go in, grab a bag of chips. I would say, you know, divert your attention and eat fruit instead. That’s the best way to manage your cravings.
My favourite dishes would be sushi. I love Japanese food. I love my mom’s cooking. Just about everything she makes. But our two favourite dishes that my mom makes is that Rajma made in my house. And there’s something very delicious that my mom makes Shahi Paneer. So that’s definitely a favourite.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How do you manage to strike a balance with your work and spend time with your child?
Ms. Shruti Seth:
Spending time with my child and working. That’s the way every working mom does, it’s their biggest conundrum. I sadly don’t end up getting as much time as I would like right now because I’m busy with a shoot and I’m shooting almost twelve hours a day. But I try and make sure that I see her before she heads off to school in the morning and before I leave for the shoot. And for whatever it’s worth, thank God for technology. I pretty much have video chats with her all day long so she can see me and I can see her.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have been a model, actor, host and a VJ, which role did you enjoy the most?
Ms. Shruti Seth:
In all the parts that I’ve played, I think I’ve just been fortunate I’ve been able to juggle so many things and yet stay in the same industry, so I’m very lucky that I managed to put my hand in so many pies. I think I wanted to be a VJ so of course, that was a dream come true. I became a model and an actor totally by accident. But what a wonderful accident that’s been. And of course, being up on stage, talking to a live audience has just a completely different high. So I’m glad I could do that as well.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to choose one over the other. But yes, being an actor and model has happened mostly by accident. Wanting to be a VJ was a personal desire. So maybe that could be a primary dream come true..
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President womenfitness.org and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness Org