After years of hesitation about exploring the mythological genre, Rashmi Gupta finally accepted the offer to play Goddess Parvati in Tirupati Balaji. She believes she was destined to be part of the project. She says, “I signed on the dotted line on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. It felt like a sign and blessing from Lord Shiva himself.” The actress has been part of daily soaps such as Balika Vadhu, Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2, and Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega. Tirupati Balaji will mark her debut in the mythological genre. However, agreeing to be part of the show wasn’t an easy decision for her. She says, “I had been offered many mythological shows, but I could never muster the courage to accept any offer. I was too scared of exploring this genre because of the chaste Hindi used in these shows. I was a bit apprehensive about being able to pull it off. This time, I decided to take up the challenge but not without giving it a lot of thought. Trust me, the minute I slipped into the costume of my character, the dialogue started flowing organically and easily. I haven’t been trained in classical dance, but during a dance sequence between Parvati and Lord Shiva, it just started flowing on its own. It’s a big deal for me ki jo cheez mere andar nahi thi woh aa gayi.” After overcoming the initial teething issues, Rashmi has now become a pro at portraying the Goddess. She says, “I am trying my level best to do justice to the character. My director and co-actors are helping me through this. I still can’t believe I am portraying Parvati.” The actress was last seen in Pandya Store in a three-month-long cameo. Her new show, for which she started shooting in March, will hit the tube sometime next month.