Ashi Singh on her character in Sony SAB’s Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil

“Playing Kairi enhanced both my performance and the way I approach my craft”, says Ashi Singh on her character in Sony SAB’s Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil

Ashi Singh on her character in Sony SAB’s Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil

Mumbai: Sony SAB’s Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil continues to explore the complexities of love, and at the heart of the show is Yug Sinha (Shabir Ahluwalia), a brilliant but emotionally guarded lawyer who shields himself from any vulnerability. Opposite him is Kairi Sharma (Ashi Singh), a spirited and sensitive law student who believes in love wholeheartedly, but finds herself caught in a whirlwind of conflicted emotions. 
In this candid chat, Ashi Singh dives into the emotional toll, personal reflections, and powerful evolution of playing Kairi, one of her most layered roles yet.
Kairi is beautifully layered, strong yet vulnerable. What part of her journey so far has surprised you the most as an actor?
Initially, when I started playing Kairi and reading the scripts, I thought she only had two major emotions. But now, as I’m living the character, I’m genuinely surprised by her complexity, especially her conflicted emotions. She often feels one thing but does another. Her mind tries to stop her from doing certain things, but her heart leads her in a different direction. That contrast is really interesting to play, reflect on, and feel.
She wears her heart on her sleeve and believes deeply in love. In real life, how close are you to Kairi’s idea of love and trust?
In real life, I genuinely believe that love and trust are among the most beautiful emotions one can experience. However, I’m someone who tends to keep my guard up. It takes me a little time to truly trust or fall in love with someone. But once I do, I give it my all. In that sense, I really connect with Kairi. My motto is to spread as much love as possible… though I must admit, I’m still a bit different from her too.

Kairi and Yug are opposites in so many ways, yet their chemistry feels effortless. How do you and Shabir tap into that contrast when the cameras roll?
Honestly, I’m not sure, maybe it’s because when we’re playing our characters, we’re completely immersed in them. Whatever bond we share off-screen, the moment the camera rolls, we become Yug and Kairi. We carry their emotions, and maybe that’s what makes it feel so beautiful and effortless on screen.
What is one side of Kairi’s personality that feels very close to yours, and one that you wish you had but do not?
I always strive to make each of my characters different from one another. But with Kairi, the experience has been unique. I genuinely like her, and this time, I didn’t feel the need to create too much distance between the character and myself. In many ways, Kairi feels like an extension of Ashi. I’ve poured a lot of myself into her she’s responsible, cheerful, someone who brushes off stress and keeps moving forward, always seeking solutions and I connect with that. If there’s one quality I’d love to adopt from Kairi, she cannot overthink. I tend to overanalyse things a lot, and that’s definitely something I could learn from her.
Has there been a scene or moment in Kairi’s story that truly challenged you or stayed with you long after the shoot?
Yes, many times. In fact, the current track we’re shooting where my siblings are leaving me, and the hospital scene with Maeri has been particularly challenging. When you step onto the set, you have to completely immerse yourself in that emotional space because you genuinely empathize with the character and what she’s going through. It’s not just about shedding tears, it’s about truly experiencing that pain from within. Portraying such emotional intensity required me to remain in that mindset, and slipping in and out of it wasn’t easy. 
You share some beautiful scenes with Shabir Ahluwalia and Supriya Shukla. What have you learned from working so closely with them?
I’ve been learning so much from them, truly, every single day. They’re both incredibly talented and experienced, and their support during scenes means a lot. Sometimes they’ll say, “You’re doing great, but try this small adjustment,” and that subtle suggestion can make a world of difference. Their input consistently helps elevate my performance. What I admire most, though, is how grounded they are not just as actors, but as individuals. It’s more than just acting; I’ve picked up valuable life lessons from them as well. They’ve contributed to my personal growth and self-grooming in such a positive way. They’re both genuinely kind and down-to-earth.
This role is so different from your past work. Has stepping into Kairi’s shoes changed how you look at your craft or even yourself as an actor?
Yes, of course. This role is very different from all my past work. And that change has definitely helped me grow as an actor, it’s enhanced both my performance and the way I approach my craft. When you act every day, you learn something new every day. You keep polishing yourself with each scene. And because I’ve been consistently working on this show, I feel like I’m getting more refined with every step.
Without giving too much away, what part of Kairi’s journey ahead do you think will really connect with viewers?
Right now, we’re shooting a track where Kairi is falling for Yug, and she’s very confused. She’s thinking, ‘This can’t be possible, he hasn’t been good to me, he’s always been rude.’ But despite all of that, she still finds herself falling for him. I personally connect with that emotion because I think we’ve all been there, when you know something isn’t right for you, and yet, it still happens. You can’t control your heart or your feelings. I believe that’s what will really resonate with people, the honesty of that emotional conflict.