For a generation of television viewers, actors Shruti Seth and Aditi Malik are forever frozen in time as the lovable, quirky best friends, Jiya and Meeta, from the hit fantasy-comedy series Shararat (2003–2006). At the time, his characters solved life’s chaotic teenage dilemmas with a twist of the wrist and the iconic outdoor mantra, “Sringa laao sarvalinga…”. Read also | ‘90% people fail this test’: Bhagyashree shares simple fitness test to check your ‘real age’ on International Yoga Day
Today, after more than two decades, the two artists have come together again for a completely different kind of magic. Trading external illusion for internal awareness, Shruti Seth And Aditi are now collaborating on wellness ventures, including the ‘Project Stillness’ workshop held at Rumbaba, Mumbai.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle for 12th international yoga dayThe actors spoke candidly about their personal growth, the reality of maintaining mental resilience in showbiz, and why mindfulness has become their ultimate non-negotiable anchor.
evolution of magic
The transition from the fast-paced, demanding schedules of television sets to a focused life may seem like a drastic change, but for both the actors, it felt like a natural homecoming. “Absolutely,” Aditi Malik Said considering the change. “At that time, the magic in mischief was external; a spell could solve a problem in seconds. Life teaches you that real magic doesn’t work that way. Today, yoga and mindfulness have become my modern magic wands. They don’t necessarily change the circumstances around me, but they completely change the way I react to them,” he explained.
For Aditi, who balances different hats behind the camera, the practice is a grounding force: “As a mother, entrepreneur, wife and someone who constantly juggles multiple responsibilities, I have realized that the greatest magic is in finding peace amidst the chaos. Yoga helps me come back to myself. It helps me stop, breathe, and live life with more awareness rather than reacting impulsively. This is a much deeper and more sustainable kind of magic.” Is.”
Shruti’s relationship with Abhyas goes back even further to the show’s timeline. “I started practicing when I was doing pranks, so it’s been a part of my life for almost two and a half decades,” Seth revealed. He said, “It was a magic wand then and it’s definitely a magic wand today.”
From co-stars to welfare associates
The bond between the two actors has clearly deepened over 20 years, turning from a sisterly mentorship in the industry to a profound spiritual alignment. Aditi shared, “Shruti has always been someone I have admired and looked up to.” When I joined Prank, I was barely 16 years old and completely new to the industry. The way he welcomed me and looked after me, along with the entire cast, left a lasting impression. Even today, that warmth remains unchanged. We’re not just former co-stars anymore; we are Family.
This fundamental trust paved the way for their professional collaboration. When Aditi entered the field of hospitality a decade ago, her aim was to design spaces associated with comfort and peace. Her latest venue, Roombaba, became the missing puzzle for Shruti’s mental health initiative.
Aditi recalls, “I still remember when Shruti first went to Rumbaba, she saw a small tapestry with the word ‘Stillness’ written on it. Coincidentally, she had recently launched Project Stillness. The moment she told me about it, I immediately felt connected with that vision. It didn’t take more than a minute for me to say, ‘Let’s do this together.’ I think that’s why this collaboration feels so natural. Shruti brings incredible clarity and peace, while I bring emotion, intuition and community-building.”
Shruti echoed this sentiment, noting that the seeds of Kalyan were actually sown years ago on the Shararat sets: “I think all of us who were a part of prank A very similar ethos was shared at that time as well. As a group we have all been spiritually inclined. Ever since we were a part of the prank, we all were very particular about our eating habits, our health, our fitness and again this has been with us throughout our lives. The collaboration between Roomba and Project Stillness is just a testament to that relationship.”
Finding the Light Bulb Moment
While International Yoga Day often highlights complex physical postures, both Shruti and Aditi see it as an entirely internal journey, inspired by different turning points in their adult lives.
“When I started yoga practiceI remember my yoga teacher Eva Shroff telling me that yoga basically means ‘to become’. What exercise does for you is that it helps you become a new person every day, and this is what you need to strive for throughout your life: to become someone new, someone better, someone healthier than yesterday,” Shruti said.
Aditi realized this when the overwhelming noise of multitasking caught up with her: “For me, it happened during the phase when I was balancing motherhood, business, family responsibilities and everything else that comes with life. From the outside, everything seemed fine, but internally, I realized that I was constantly working in overdrive. It was then that I realized that wellness is not just about physical fitness. Yoga ceased to be an exercise routine and became an emotional and mental foundation.”
Adapting routines and overcoming anxiety
When it comes to maintaining their daily balance, both the actors take different but equally disciplined approaches. Aditi prefers to listen to her body and practice consistent morning habits. “My mornings usually start with gratitude, hydration, and a few moments of silence before connecting with the outside world,” she said, noting her reliance on simple techniques to curb anxiety. She added, “Anulom-Vilom has been incredibly helpful in calming my mind and balancing my energy. I also practice deep diaphragmatic breathing whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious.”
Shruti, on the other hand, builds her entire schedule around her practice rather than trying to fit it into an empty calendar slot. She said, “To be honest, for me, my yoga practice is not something that I customize. I customize my life according to my yoga practice. It is not worth compromising in my day. I practice it twice every week. I have a teacher from whom I have been training for the last 10 years.”
To manage daily physical fatigue and mental stressShruti swears by an active, deliberate rest. He said, “One of the things that everyone should start doing is Shavasana. I know it sounds like a relaxing pose, but it’s actually an active rest. The idea is to let the body feel supported and grounded… If you can do it several times a day, it gives the body the kind of rest and pause that it needs to reset itself.”
Coping with tendencies and protecting mental health
in an era full of aggression weight loss crazeThe pair stands firmly against extreme health trends. Aditi sheds light on sustainability by saying, “A balanced diet is one that nourishes your body and allows you to enjoy food. I don’t believe in excesses or deprivation. The goal should not be to look a certain way. It should be to feel energetic, strong and healthy.”
Shruti said personalized health is the only true benchmark: “The biggest problem with most trends is that they have a one-size-fits-all philosophy, which is an impossible standard, because each of us live extremely different lives… one really has to find a rhythm that works for you.”
This acute self-awareness has also served as an invaluable emotional shield against the notoriously volatile entertainment industry. “Mindfulness has helped me create a healthy distance between who I am and what is happening around me,” Aditi explains, “Whether it is public opinion, professional challenges, or personal setbacks, mindfulness reminds me that everything is temporary.”
Shruti expanded on this by highlighting how resilience changes one’s perception of life’s unpredictable timeline. “As you build a stronger mental fortress, or what you call resilience, I think it makes you much more difficult to manipulate. The beauty of understanding yourself and being more connected with the things that align with you is that it helps you treat life a little more lightly. You don’t take things for granted and hold on as much because you realize everything is largely temporary. So when you have good days, you really want to enjoy them. Because you know they’re going to pass. And when you’re having hard days, you don’t want to get attached to them because they too will pass,” she said.
two minute desk exercises
For readers interested in growing a piece of ‘Project Stillness’ on their office desk today, Shruti and Aditi offer two straightforward, practical suggestions that require zero equipment:
⦿ Aditi’s 2-minute pause: “Stop. Close your eyes and take five slow, conscious breaths. Inhale four times and exhale six times. That’s it. Most of us don’t need more time. We just need more awareness.”
⦿ Shruti’s 2 minute silence: “I don’t believe in quick solutions, but I also believe that every drop makes an ocean. Can you just sit? Don’t get involved in any other activity around you, keep all your distractions away and just sit. Can you sit? sit in silence with yourself? Start practicing it, and start increasing the time you spend together.”
Jiya and Mita on yoga mat
Ending the conversation with a nostalgic nod to the roles that connected them to millions, the actors were asked how their imaginary prankster alter-egos, Jiya and Meeta, would handle a modern yoga class together.
Malik said, “If they were doing yoga today, I think they would still bring out the same qualities. Mita was innocent, emotional and often living in her own world, while Jiya was intelligent, sensible and always one step ahead. We were probably pretty honest throughout the session, although I wouldn’t deny a smile or two when memories of old mischief came up.”
Shruti’s imaginative forecast relies brilliantly on the show’s signature comedy: “I think if Jiya and Mita were to do yoga together, first of all, I think Jiya, being more conscientious, would probably do it with more intention. Mita would only come to the yoga class when Raja was there; otherwise, she wouldn’t be interested. And she would be a little confused and probably get herself into a complicated asana, which Jiya would then use to help her. Have to help. Magic, which will backfire and then we’ll have to call Nani to intervene!”
Luckily, no intervention is required for Shruti and Aditi today. Inspired by their personal mantras – Aditi’s reminder to ‘come back to your breath’ and Shruti’s confident ‘I am my favorite’ – the real-life duo have successfully mastered a magic that lasts much longer than any television mantra.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
