“Suspense Within Suspense”: Shivangi Verma Opens Up About Her Thrilling OTT Series Yeh Hai Sanak

Actress Shivangi Verma is ready to step into uncharted territory with her upcoming web series Yeh Hai Sanak, a psychological thriller that promises to challenge the viewer’s mind at every turn. Starring opposite Sharad Malhotra, the show explores the darker corners of the human psyche, where sanity, emotion, and obsession blur into a twisted game of intellect and instinct.

Shivangi describes the show as “a psychological maze” — a phrase that instantly captures the heart of what makes Yeh Hai Sanak so compelling. “The moment I heard the concept, I knew this wasn’t just another project. It had so many layers that even while reading the script, I couldn’t predict what would happen next,” she shared. “That unpredictability — that sense of madness wrapped in brilliance — was what made me say yes.”

The actress, who has built a strong television following through popular shows over the years, finds this project a refreshing change from the conventional roles audiences have seen her in. “Television often gives you black-and-white characters,” she explained. “But here, I live in the greys. My character thrives on uncertainty — you’ll never know if she’s being honest or manipulative, vulnerable or calculating. She’s two steps ahead — or sometimes ten. And that’s the thrill.”

For Shivangi, portraying such an intense and layered character required a different kind of preparation. “It was more mental than physical,” she said. “I had to think like someone who’s always strategizing, always hiding a piece of herself. The real challenge was keeping the audience intrigued without revealing too much. Sometimes the silence had to speak louder than words.” She also revealed that some of her toughest scenes involved masking multiple emotions at once — playing calm while chaos brewed underneath. “That’s when I truly learned that acting isn’t always about showing — sometimes it’s about hiding.”

The actress praised the team behind Yeh Hai Sanak for trusting the unpredictability of the script. “Some of my favourite moments were when even the crew — who knew what was going to happen — were still shocked watching the scenes unfold,” she said with a laugh. “That’s when you know the story has power. Working with Sharad Malhotra was amazing too. We had these high-tension, physically intense scenes where we’d be completely immersed one moment and laughing the next because of how wild it all got!”

While Yeh Hai Sanak is rooted in psychological tension, Shivangi believes its real magic lies in how it constantly keeps the audience guessing. “Every episode feels like solving a puzzle — and just when you think you’ve got the answer, the entire board shifts. That’s what makes it so exciting,” she said.

Reflecting on the shift from TV to OTT, Shivangi shared how digital storytelling allows actors to push creative boundaries. “OTT gives us the freedom to explore complexity. You don’t need to over-explain anymore — audiences are smart, they love decoding. That’s why this space feels liberating.”

As anticipation builds, Yeh Hai Sanak is already being hailed as one of the most intriguing upcoming thrillers of 2025. With its sharp writing, atmospheric tension, and Shivangi’s layered performance, the series promises to challenge perceptions and blur the fine line between sanity and madness.