A layered character and an unexplored relationship drew Sonal Khilwani to Hamari Bhabhi Number 1. For the actor, the decision to take on the role was easy once the story connected with her as an audience. “We haven’t seen the motherly bond of bhabhi and devar on television for a long time. Her silent sacrifices, personal struggles, and emotional battles are often ignored in a big family. I felt that the story will touch people’s hearts and remind them of the warmth of relationships,” reasons Khilwani.

Set in Dwarka, Gujarat, the daily soap has pushed the actor to dive deep into the region’s culture, language, and idiosyncrasies. She says that “bringing authenticity” to the character was her first priority. “I work on my dialect, Gujarati idioms, and pronunciations every day. I am also picking up the body language, warmth, and the way a Gujarati bhabhi carries herself.”