‘Four More Shots Please!’ Actress Maanvi Gagroo on Female Friendships and Empowerment

For actress Maanvi Gagroo, being part of Four More Shots Please! has been far more than playing a character it’s been a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and sisterhood. Nine years into the series, the final season releases on Prime Video on December 19, and Maanvi, who portrays Siddhi Patel, reflects on the transformative impact of the show both on and off screen.

“It’s amazing to see women with agency, unapologetic about who they are,” Maanvi tells Gulf News. “Women can be flawed, fun, extravagant, and unapologetic. That’s what we celebrate in this season the season of joy, bold and alive, like season one.”

Siddhi Patel’s journey mirrors Maanvi’s own personal growth. Starting as cautious and reserved, Siddhi embraces stand-up comedy, independence, and the courage to make mistakes. Maanvi shares, “Through Siddhi, I found parts of myself confidence in clothing, asserting my voice, embracing bold choices unapologetically.”

The series’ broader message resonates with fans because it celebrates imperfection, exploration, and self-expression. “It’s about having a tribe,” Maanvi explains. “Your girlfriends see you through breakups, marriages, career highs and lows they’re irreplaceable. They celebrate, console, and call you out when needed.”

Fans have embraced this ethos, forming “girl gangs” and celebrating friendships with newfound freedom. Older women, she notes, have shared how the show emboldened them to travel, socialize, and enjoy life unapologetically.

Behind the camera, Four More Shots Please! has been trailblazing. With women dominating creative roles from directors to writers the set fostered open, empowering discussions on topics like periods, sex, and personal challenges. Male crew members were integrated respectfully, ensuring a safe and collaborative environment.

The storytelling remains progressive, addressing serious issues like societal pressures while celebrating womanhood in all its dimensions. “We normalize women’s experiences without making victimhood the default narrative,” Maanvi says. “Women are funny, ambitious, loving, flawed and that’s what the series portrays.”

The bond among the four central characters Siddhi, Damini, Umang, and others extends off-screen as well. Maanvi emphasizes the authentic, family-like camaraderie formed over years, including during pandemics, breakups, and personal milestones.

Even as the show concludes its fourth season, Maanvi and the cast remain hopeful about its legacy, with talks of movies or spin-offs on the horizon. She reflects, “Being part of this universe will never happen again. We’ve created memories for a lifetime, and I hope audiences feel the same joy we experienced making it.”

From fashion choices to playful on-set banter, Maanvi also highlights the show’s lighter moments: “The men on set are empathetic, sensitive, and sexy it’s proof women can set standards and still find good partners.”

Ultimately, Four More Shots Please! celebrates empowerment, agency, and female friendships. “It’s okay to mess up, explore, and assert yourself. It’s about unapologetic women and the tribes we create for ourselves,” Maanvi concludes. “That’s the legacy we hope continues to inspire audiences for years to come.”