Garvita Sadhwani, known for playing Ruhi in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, has officially parted ways with the show. The actress recently opened up about her experience portraying a negative character and how it affected her both on and off screen.
Her character, Ruhi, was introduced during the Holi celebrations in the storyline. Initially, she was received with warmth by the audience. Garvita recalled those early days with fondness, saying people reacted positively when there were no conflicts involving Ruhi, Abhira, or Armaan. She mentioned that for the first few months, everything was smooth. Garvita shared, “Itna kuch nahi tha.”
However, things began to change when Ruhi’s character started developing feelings for Armaan, who was married to Abhira. That turn in the storyline shifted public sentiment. Garvita explained how in her mind, she used to justify Ruhi’s emotions, believing it made sense as Ruhi loved Armaan even before his marriage. She thought the audience might understand it as a contract marriage situation. But fans had already begun rooting for Abhira and Armaan, making it difficult for them to accept anyone disrupting their bond.
The actress described how viewers on social media started labeling her character in harsh, unpleasant terms. Some even went as far as calling her ‘lusty bhabhi’ while referring to Armaan as ‘bhabhi lover’. Garvita admitted that initially, she questioned if she wanted to hear such words directed toward herself. But she soon detached from it emotionally, reasoning that it was about Ruhi, not Garvita. She added, “I am no one’s bhabhi, so it is fine.”
As the show progressed, Ruhi’s character turned even more negative. The drama escalated during the track where Ruhi and Abhira’s sisterly bond fell apart. That’s when, according to Garvita, a few people lost the ability to separate Ruhi from Garvita. She made it clear that such trolling only happened online and never on the streets or in public. Yet, some comments did sting, especially when people began targeting her acting. Garvita explained that she didn’t believe acting was ever the problem. She expressed confidence in her growth as a performer, adding that when audiences dislike a character, everything about that person seems flawed to them.
She reflected on this phase by saying that viewers were upset with Ruhi for trying to disrupt a marriage, and naturally, negativity followed. Looking back, Garvita believes it hardly matters now. She shared that after her exit from the show, only love remained from the audience. The hatred and trolling had faded, replaced by fondness.
Garvita also commented on the future of the show and hinted that a new character might soon catch Armaan’s interest. She predicted that the new character would likely face the same criticism she once did. Garvita called it the nature of such storylines, where anyone coming between a loved on-screen couple is seen as a third wheel and faces inevitable backlash.
Meanwhile, the drama unfolds as audiences eagerly await the next chapter, even as Garvita steps away from the screen, carrying both lessons and memories from her time on the show.
