Dr. Mrinal Deshraj Honoured with Ashoka Award and Honorary Doctorate

Mumbai: Acclaimed television actress Dr. Mrinal Deshraj, known for her powerful performances and memorable characters, has added two prestigious honours to her career. She was recently conferred the Ashoka Award for Performing Arts for her contribution to acting and also received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maryland, USA.

The honours come as a recognition of her years of dedication, hard work and contribution to the performing arts. As the popular television series ‘Ishqbaaaz’ completes 10 years, Dr. Mrinal Deshraj reflected on her memorable association with the show and the strong bonds she developed with the cast and crew.

“The script ended years ago, but the story of our relationships is still continuing. We did not just create a show; we created a family. We attended each other’s weddings, stood by one another during important moments in life and continue to remain connected even today,” she said.

Dr. Mrinal Deshraj played a striking negative character in Ishqbaaaz, earning appreciation from viewers. Recalling her experience, she said that while her character created conflict and drama on screen, the atmosphere behind the camera was completely different.

“On screen, my character was at the centre of conflict, but behind the camera we were each other’s biggest support system. We learned together, shared life experiences and grew together,” she recalled.

Looking back at the show's journey, she added that long shooting schedules and demanding work never affected the bond among the team. “We did not just shoot a television serial together; we lived countless beautiful moments of life together. The show ended, but our friendship and affection remain unchanged. That is the greatest legacy of Ishqbaaaz for me.”

Speaking about the changing television landscape, Dr. Mrinal Deshraj observed that content creation has become increasingly challenging due to changing budgets and production dynamics.

“Today, creating grand and elaborate stories is not always easy because of budget limitations. The industry has changed across platforms. In such times, a strong story, the right actors and honest performances are what make a project special. Good stories will always reach the hearts of audiences,” she said.

At this stage of her career, the actress says she is more selective about her projects and prefers quality over quantity.

“Today, I choose projects that give me creative satisfaction. The Ashoka Award for Performing Arts and the Honorary Doctorate from the University of Maryland are extremely special to me. They represent years of hard work, my acting journey and the love of audiences. These honours inspire me to take on newer challenges and deliver better performances,” she said.

For Dr. Mrinal Deshraj, the 10th anniversary of Ishqbaaaz is therefore much more than a milestone for a television show. It is a celebration of friendships, shared experiences and memories that continue to remain an important part of her journey in the world of entertainment.

Presented by: Kali Das Pandey