Suman Indori’s Shweta Gautam on her role models; says ‘Sudha Chandran’s story of strength has inspired me since school’

Shweta Gautam, who plays the role of Hema in Suman Indori, opens up about the women who inspire her, the evolving portrayal of women on television, and what it means to embrace womanhood.
When asked about the women she looks up to, Shweta’s response is heartfelt and personal. “The women that I look up to are not difficult to identify like many others, a part of me looks up to my mother. Despite being born with certain physical disabilities, she raised us with incredible strength and dedication. I always remember her looking after every need of my father and us. In spite of her challenges, she would take us to school, cook for us, and ensure our clothes were ironed. Through her silent strength, she taught me so many life lessons.”
Shweta also finds immense inspiration in celebrated actress and dancer Sudha Chandran. “Imagine a dancer losing her leg but never giving up that was her motto in life. I watched her film Naache Mayuri when I was in school, and from that moment on, I have always admired her and found strength in her story.”

Shweta believes that while Indian television has made progress in the way it represents women, there is still room for improvement. “A few TV shows are doing well in portraying strong, modern women, my current show Suman Indori is one of them. Suman is a reflection of today’s woman: independent, confident, and relatable. However, it’s not yet 100 percent, some characters still feel rigid, orthodox, and outdated. We’re talking about women in 2025, so the outlook definitely needs to evolve more. Change is happening, but we still need more of it.”

As a mother in real life, Shweta feels a deep connection to many of the characters she plays. “Most of the roles I take on are positive, nurturing mother figures. Since I have a young daughter, I find myself resonating especially with mother-daughter scenes. They reflect my own experiences and emotions. These roles allow me to embrace my maternal side both on and off-screen.”
Shweta speaks passionately about the pride she feels in being a woman. “I’m incredibly grateful to God that I was born a girl. People often say it’s a man’s world but not today, and not anymore. What a woman can do, a man can never do. Think about it: we often call our daughters ‘beta’ with affection, but you never hear anyone call their son ‘beti.’ That itself speaks volumes. Parents with sons often crave the love and warmth of a daughter.”

She highlights the unique ability of women to multitask and nurture those around them. “A woman works outside the home, takes care of the children, helps with their homework, cooks, and looks after the entire family, all with grace and strength. Maybe that’s why God created women with such special powers. We have the power to bring new life into this world, and that says it all. I’m proud to be a woman.”
As Women’s Day approaches, Shweta Gautam shared, “Here’s wishing everyone a very, very happy Women’s Day. We rock!”