Work is paramount for actor Shilpa Raizada and so it wasn’t surprising that the actor celebrated her birthday on the sets of her show. The actor, who plays the role of Surekha Akhilesh Goenka in Rajan Shahi's ‘Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’, turned a year older recently and was treated to an amazing party on the sets of her show. “I had a superb birthday with the entire unit. It felt great to celebrate my birthday with 250 people on the set. I am so glad to get everyone’s blessings on my birthday,” she says.

[[{"type":"media","fid":"13226309","view_mode":"default","instance_fields":"override","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}]]

In fact, it was producer Shahi’s idea to celebrate Shilpa’s birthday on the set. “Rajan sir is a person who never forgets anyone’s birthday and always brings the cakes on the set. I am so lucky to be part of this show. This unit is like a happy family where everyone’s birthdays are celebrated. In fact, it was so nice to see that Luv and Kush from the show bought gifts as well! I am so happy that my birthday was celebrated with kids. They also waited for the pack up to celebrate with me. It was fun.” she says.

What do you think of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai?

Ask her how it is to work with Shahi, and she says, “It’s really a wonderful experience working with Rajan Shahi sir. He is a great person, great soul, great human being and is so down to earth. I am so blessed to have got the change to work with Director's Kut Productions. The entire unit is very energetic and has been so for the last 10 years.”

[[{"type":"media","fid":"13226319","view_mode":"default","instance_fields":"override","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}]]

Shilpa says that the show has changed her life. “’Yeh Rishta…’ gave me a new identity as an actor. I groomed myself thanks to this show and have explored my abilities as an actor. Of course, I have worked hard as well,” she says.

Ask her who her favourite co-actor is in the show, and she says, “Every person has his or her own identity, qualities and I'm learning so much from all the actors of ‘Yeh Rishta…’ They all are sincere but my favorite co-actor is Parul Chauhan. She is an amazing actor.”