17 May,2026 02:50 PM IST | Mumbai | Aakruti Bagla
Shivya Pathania
Actress Shivya Pathania is all set to step into a new realm with the hosting reality TV show Spectra, backed by Harsh Mainra and streaming on Amazon MX Player. This isn't just a new reality series; it is a cultural pivot toward "Art with Purpose", a format designed to be watched by children and parents together. In an exclusive chat with Mid-day, Shivya opens up about getting typecast and her journey.
The show follows seven master artists and host Shivya Pathania as they navigate the unforgiving landscapes of the Himalayas. When asked about joining the show, Shivya gushed, "I have played a lot of characters till now, but this was just me living life and the show with the other artists. So I was really excited for this."
Reflecting on her journey with historical and mythological dramas, Shivya said, "Historical and mythological shows are the kind of stories that truly resonate with me. People often ask if I consciously chose those roles, and the answer is yes. I am not someone who can do the same thing for four or five years. I always want to explore something different and creatively fulfilling. What excited me most about these shows was that I already knew and connected with the stories. That familiarity made the experience creatively enriching for me."
Speaking about the ongoing conversation around long working hours in television, Shivya said, "I think it differs from show to show. It has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now. There have been instances where I have had to shoot for more than 12 hours a day, so I would say the issue is still debatable. I believe work hours on television sets need to be managed properly."
When asked about exploring other reality shows in the future, Shivya said, "I would never say never. History has taught us that whenever someone strongly says they will never do something, they often end up doing it later. So you never really know what the future holds."
Reflecting on his vision behind the show, Harsh shared, "We had a very clear vision - to create something people could watch together. Today, a lot of reality shows thrive on drama, fights, and manufactured engagement. We wanted to break away from that toxic cycle of traditional reality TV. So we asked ourselves: how can we make something fundamentally different? The answer was through art. That's how art became the core narrative of the show."
