EastEnders star Rakhee Thakrar, who gained popularity for playing Shabnam Masood, has shared her emotional experience regarding the intense viewer reaction to her character. Thakrar joined the show in 2014, taking over the role from Zahra Ahmadi. Shabnam became known for her strong principles, determined attitude, and occasionally judgmental nature.
In a recent interview on Lacey Turner’s We Started Here podcast, Rakhee recalled feeling devastated by the negative reception. “When I joined EastEnders and everyone hated Shabnam—like, they really hated her—I thought I had failed. I had one day where I was crying in my bed, thinking, ‘Oh my God, how am I going to get through this?’ because there was so much hate,” she said.
However, despite the harsh feedback, Rakhee came to realize that she hadn’t “lost anything” and that the experience gave her more freedom in her performance. “The next day I went to work feeling quite free, because I realized I thought I had failed, but I hadn’t. I had created a character that made an impact,” she explained.
She also reflected on the pressure of failing in front of millions, adding, “I was thinking, well, I’ve failed in front of like five million people who watched it last night. How bad can it get now?”
Through Shabnam’s various heartbreaking struggles, viewers were able to see her more human side, which ultimately made the character more relatable and accepted. By the time Rakhee left EastEnders in 2016, Shabnam had become a fan-favorite, and some viewers even called for her return, particularly alongside her daughter Jade.
For context, EastEnders is a popular British soap opera that first aired in 1985 on BBC One. The series takes place in the fictional district of Walford in London, focusing on the relationships, struggles, and daily lives of various families. It is one of the longest-running and most beloved television shows in the UK, known for its deep character development and tackling social issues. The show has won numerous awards and continues to be a staple in British television, with characters like Shabnam Masood, Kush Kumar, and others remaining iconic.