A decade after playing the ideal daughter-in-law in Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Giaa Manek seems to have stepped into a similar role in Tera Mera Saath Rahe. While the actor claims that her new character shares no resemblance with Gopi bahu, one cannot ignore the similarities between the two daily soaps — be it the same cast or the same attires. “Even though I am reuniting with the actors of Saath Nibhana Saathiya for Tera Mera Saath Rahe and our characters appear to be similar, there is no semblance of commonality between the two shows. The characters are completely different,” assures Manek, who will share screen space with Rupal Patel and Mohammad Nazim again.

“There is a comic angle to this saas-bahu drama,” says the actor, adding that the first promo which parodied a scene from Saath Nibhana Saathiya showcases “our ability to laugh at ourselves”. “Tera Mera Saath Rahe will display subtle humour. It is like a Gujarati thali that has a little bit of everything in it. Ultimately, whether it will work or not depends on the audience.”

Manek says she feels like a newcomer on every set. “I am not nervous [even though] there is a huge responsibility on my shoulders to deliver for this show. I just want to [live up to] the faith of the channel and producers, who offered me this role without an audition. I am still learning. The day I start believing that I have achieved it all, my growth will become stagnant.”

Ask her about reuniting with her mentor and co-star Patel, and Manek is filled with gratitude for the positive influence the senior actor has had on her. “She is someone I look up to. Every ounce of professionalism I exhibit today comes from observing her. The dignity and grace with which she carries herself has [rubbed off on] me. I am thrilled to play her bahu again. I have tried to emulate the sincerity that she shows towards her job in every character I have played thus far,” says the actor.