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Rupali Ganguly attends paparazzo’s wedding: ‘Maine ek saal pehle vada kiya tha’

Rupali Ganguly has been in the headlines for quite some time for all the wrong reasons. First, her stepdaughter called her out and made several allegations against her. Later, reports surfaced that several actors have been leaving Anupamaa because of her. However, recently, Rupali did something special and won hearts. Yesterday, a video of Rupali Ganguly attending the wedding celebration of a paparazzo surfaced on social media. Rupali Ganguly attends paparazzo wedding Recently, she attended the wedding of a paparazzo, taking time out to celebrate the special occasion of someone who has been capturing her professional milestones for years. She congratulated the newlyweds, spent time with their family, and ensured they felt special on their big day.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) Unlike a typical celebrity appearance, Rupali Ganguly's visit was personal and filled with emotion. She greeted everyone with a warm smile, took pictures, and engaged in conversations. Her presence turned the wedding into a memorable affair for those in attendance. She made sure to give her time and attention to the couple, adding a personal touch to the celebration. For the function, Rupali wore a beautiful multicoloured saree and paired the six yards with a yellow blouse. The actress tied her hair in a stylish way and further accessorized her look with stunning ornaments. Rupali kept her makeup minimal to let her natural beauty shine. While talking to the couple, she congratulated them on their wedding and said, “Aap mujhe bohot pyare ho. Maine ek saal pehle vada kiya tha ki jab bhi shadi hogi, main aaungi.” Rupali Ganguly on work front On the professional front, Rupali Ganguly is currently seen playing the titular role in Star Plus' popular show Anupamaa, which has consistently topped TRP charts. Produced by Rajan Shahi and Deepa Shahi under the banner of Director's Kut Productions, the daily soap is a remake of Star Jalsha's Bengali series Sreemoyee. The show premiered on 13 July 2020 on StarPlus and streams digitally on Disney+ Hotstar. Ganguly is widely recognized for her portrayal of Monisha Singh Sarabhai in the popular sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. She has appeared in numerous successful television series, portraying Sujata in Ek Packet Umeed (2008) and Pinky Khanna Ahuja in Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi (2011–2013), following which she took a sabbatical from acting for seven years and returned with Anupamaa.

22 March,2025 07:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Priyanka Chahar Chaudhary & Ankit Gupta

Ankit Gupta fuels breakup rumours with Priyanka, backs out from upcoming project

The rumours of television couple Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Ankit Gupta parting ways have been in the headlines for quite some time, but neither of the two actors has broken their silence on the ongoing reports. However, in a recent development, Ankit has backed out from the show Tere Ho Jaayein Hum, which was set to feature him alongside Priyanka. In a recent interview, Ankit revealed that he cannot commit to the project right now. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Ankit shared that he is no longer part of the project backed by Ravi-Sargun’s Dreamiyata. The Udaariyaan actor said, "Yes, I backed out of the project with Ravi-Sargun. I don’t think I would be able to commit to that project right now. Maybe I need some time for myself to rejuvenate and recharge. As I said, that’s probably why I won’t do Khatron Ke Khiladi this year either. I’m just taking time for myself, so I’m not thinking about work at the moment." Priyanka & Ankit part ways? Priyanka and Ankit first met on the sets of Colors' popular show Udaariyaan, and since then, they have been quite close friends. Later, the two went on to participate in the same season of Bigg Boss, where their chemistry became the talk of the town, and fans started shipping them together. Now, with them unfollowing each other and reports of their alleged breakup gaining momentum, fans are quite distressed and wish to know the reality from the couple. While it is true that Priyanka and Ankit no longer follow each other on Instagram, they still haven’t deleted the pictures and videos of each other that they had shared on their social media accounts. The couple, who recently announced their new music video together, Tere Ho Jaayein Hum, have kept all their pictures with each other on their accounts as they are. Priyanka & Ankit had an ugly fight? While there is no confirmation from either of the two stars, a report by Vicky Lalwani's channel claims they had an ugly fight before deciding to end matters. Priyanka and Ankit have a massive fan base who wish to see them together forever.

22 March,2025 04:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Tejasswi Prakash & Karan Kundrra

Karan Kundrra BREAKS SILENCE on wedding with Tejasswi Prakash this year

The news of Karan Kundrra and Tejasswi Prakash getting married this year took the internet by storm. After Tejasswi’s mom announced that the actress would tie the knot in 2025, the internet was buzzing with excitement. To confirm this news, Mid-Day got in touch with Karan Kundrra to know if the wedding is on the cards this year for TejRan. While talking to Karan, we asked him about the marriage plans, and turning the conversation into a rather hilarious chat, Karan said, “I think woh AI tha, AI (Artificial Intelligence). Aajkal AI itna khatarnak ho gaya hai na.” But when we told him that Tejasswi’s mom would hit him for this answer, he laughed and said, “Aunty is too sidha, she won’t hit me.” Further, when we questioned him if the wedding is on cards for him and his lady love Tejasswi Prakash this year, the actor said, “Arre mujhe kya pata, mere papa aa rahe hain, unse puch lena. Ye sari baatein bachchon se thodi puchte hain.” About Tejasswi & Karan’s wedding plans Tejasswi Prakash and Karan Kundrra have been in a relationship for quite some time now. The couple, who met inside the Bigg Boss house, fell in love with each other on the reality show, and since then, they have been in a happy relationship. Now, it looks like the couple is all set to take their relationship to the next level. Recently, they sparked wedding rumors after Farah Khan questioned Tejasswi about her marriage plans, and that is when her mom confirmed that it is set to happen this year. Farah Khan asked Tejasswi’s mother, “Shaadi kab hogi?” Without hesitation, Tejasswi’s mother responded, “Issi saal ho jaaegi,” confirming that the wedding will take place this year. This confirmation made Farah smile as she congratulated Teja, who was left blushing. But this didn't stop Farah from teasing Tejasswi. While talking to the mother-daughter duo, Farah said, "Ladke ka naam 'Karan' hogaya hai na," teasing Tejasswi and hinting at Karan Kundrra. She also joked about how Chef Vikas Khanna would be upset to hear this news and said, "Hamara Vikku, bechara humein chod ke kya chala gaya? Teja ke haanth peele ho gaye." Tejasswi wants a court marriage Earlier, Tejasswi, on Celebrity MasterChef, talked about her wish to have a small and intimate marriage and said, “I am not big on that. I am okay with a normal court marriage. Hum log phir ghumenge, phirenge, aish karenge types."

21 March,2025 09:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Shachi Chaturvedi
In pic: Karan Kundrra

Karan gives THIS advice to Nia & Arjun Bijlani after returning to Laughter Chefs

Karan Kundrra has joined Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment and fans are going crazy with his entry into the show. As Karan is all set to add spice to the ultimate recipe of "Dinner-tainment", the actor, in an exclusive chat with us at mid-day, opened up about how he feels on his return, the big surprise, and how it’s not a competition between him and his lady love Tejasswi Prakash when it comes to Laughter Chefs vs Celebrity Master Chefs. Karan Kundrra on his return to Laughter Chefs Karan Kundrra started the conversation by sharing how he doesn’t feel like he was away from the show for even a bit and said, “It doesn’t feel like I was away for a bit. The day we started, it was like muscle memory. It felt like I hadn’t gone anywhere. I even said this to Krushna Bhai, 'Aisa lag hi nahi raha hai ki 2-3 mahine ki break hui hai.'” When asked about the outpour of love on his return to the show, Karan called it complete madness and said, “It’s like something has been activated, and suddenly there’s an outpour of love. It’s not just from my fans but also from the fans of the show. They are extremely happy, and now with my return, they’re saying, ‘Arjun ko bhi lao!’” Karan Kundrra’s ultimate advice to Nia Sharma & Arjun Bijlani Karan’s pairing with Arjun Bijlani in the first season of Laughter Chefs was most loved. When we asked Karan if he misses Arjun, the actor shared the advice he has given to his ex-co-star. Kundrra revealed, “I recently met Arjun during the Holi celebration at Ankita and Vicky’s party. I even met Nia there, and I told them both, 'Tum dono zyada natak mat karna, aur aa jana.' It’s not like there’s anything different with the new people—be it Elvish, Abhishek, or Chintu—because I’ve known them before. So, it didn’t feel like the dynamics were any different. It was just like an extension—it felt so seamless.” The ultimate surprise While revealing how it was an actual surprise and even Bharti Singh, who was supposed to announce his return, only got to know it the last minute, Karan said, “The Colors team took massive care while pulling off this surprise. The paparazzi were not allowed inside. I wasn’t given any vanity—I had to get ready at my house and wait in the car outside the set in Powai. Only after everyone had entered the set was I allowed to go in. Even my staff wasn’t allowed on set because if the other artists' staff had seen them, they would have figured out it was me.” Laughter Chefs vs Celebrity Master Chefs On a rather lighter note, in conclusion, when we asked Karan if it’s a battle at home because Tejasswi is currently in a rival show, Celebrity Master Chefs, he laughed and said, “I look at it in a different way. I have told her, ‘Tu Monday to Friday sambhal, main Saturday aur Sunday dekh leta hoon.’”

21 March,2025 08:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Shachi Chaturvedi
Edin Rose

Edin Rose reveals THIS is the most difficult thing for her during Ramadan

Edin Rose recently made headlines for her stint in Salman Khan-hosted controversial reality show Bigg Boss 18. Edin gained significant attention for her fights with the show’s winner, Karan Veer Mehra. After the show, the reality TV star has been spotted at several media events, but this month is a little different as she is celebrating Ramadan and fasting. For Edin Rose, Ramadan is a time of reflection, self-discipline, and profound life lessons. Through fasting, managing work commitments, and reflecting on her own privileges, she has gained valuable insights that have reshaped her perspective on food, empathy, and gratitude. Recently, Edin Rose opened up about what she learned from Ramadan and shared, “For a few years, I used to indulge in unhealthy, fried food, but this year has been different. I’ve started focusing on simpler meals because I’ve realized that Ramadan isn’t about indulging in lavish, fried foods but about fasting and breaking the fast with whatever is available.” Edin chooses healthy Iftaar over fried food Instead of heavy dishes, Edin now values the simplicity of her Iftaar. “One thing I absolutely need on my Iftaar table is fresh juice—I simply can’t do without it,” she added. The most profound lesson Rose has learned this Ramadan is the awareness of her own privilege. She recalled an experience during a shoot in Chennai, where she couldn’t break her fast on time and had to open it with pani puri two hours later. "It was a tough experience, but later, I came across a video of a family who could only break their fast with water because they couldn’t afford anything else. That moment truly humbled me. It made me realize how privileged I am to have access to food—any food of my choice—while so many people struggle. This experience deepened my empathy for the less fortunate, and I believe it has been my biggest lesson this Ramadan," she said. The most difficult part of Ramadan for Edin Fasting during Ramadan while working can be difficult, especially when food isn’t available on time. Rose reflected, “The biggest challenge for me is not getting food on time and not always being able to pray on schedule. I have no complaints. Fasting is about being able to continue with daily responsibilities while staying committed to the practice.” She then added, “There are laborers who work under the scorching sun, in construction, and still fast—so what do I have to complain about?”  

21 March,2025 06:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Laughter Chefs' poster

5 reasons why Laughter Chefs is the ultimate recipe for 'Dinn-Er-tainment'

When the commotion of a kitchen meets the sizzle of a punchline, you know something extraordinary is cooking! ‘Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment’ is a riotous blend of culinary challenges and comedy, where celebrity chefs chop, sauté, and stumble their way through bizarre dishes — all while serving side-splitting laughter. Here are five reasons why this fiery fusion is a must-watch on the television landscape: 1. The first-ever culinary-comedy crossover Here’s a departure from traditional cooking shows! ‘Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment’ sets the stage for a laugh riot where kitchen chaos meets comedic gold. By blending the unpredictability of cooking with punchlines, this show delivers a unique flavour of entertainment that keeps audiences hooked — one sizzling joke at a time. 2. Celebrity contestants who bring the kitchen down  From kitchen mishaps to explosive chemistry with their culinary counterparts, the celebrity contestants keep the show ticking with their antics. Whether they're flipping roti or seasoning a dish, their camaraderie with fellow contestants creates spontaneous comedic moments and hilarity that give the show its unforgettable charm. 3. Eccentric dishes that steal the spotlight Ever heard of Veg Egg Curry or Katahal Naan Bombs? Neither had the celebrity contestants! The show takes culinary creativity to the next level with mind-boggling dishes like Patthar Wale Suran Shami Kebab and Singhade Ke Vade. As celebrities sweat it out over these puzzling recipes, viewers can't help but wonder — Will they nail it or fail it? 4. The dynamic duo: Bharti Singh & Harpal Singh Sokhi Bharti Singh’s infectious energy turns the set into a homey kitchen where laughter bubbles. Meanwhile, Chef Coach Harpal Singh Sokhi guides the contestants with his signature charm, offering quirky tips, playful taunts, and light-hearted critique. Together, they sprinkle warmth and wisdom on every episode — and if celebrity contestants impress, they earn those coveted stars that feel more heavenly than dessert. 5. Themed episodes that keep the fun fresh From festive feasts to Bollywood-inspired culinary capers, each episode carries a unique theme that spices up the cooking battles. Whether contestants are whipping up sweets for Holi or creating savoury sensations in a tribute to films, every theme sparks fresh banter and memorable moments.

20 March,2025 04:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Picture Courtesy/Rupali Ganguly's Instagram account

Anupamaa star Rupali Ganguly grooves to viral Dosai Idly song in latest reel

Television actress Rupali Ganguly is setting the internet on fire once again with her latest viral reel. The ‘Anupamaa’ actress is back, grooving to the catchy "Dosai Idly" song, which has taken social media by storm. With her infectious energy and playful moves, Rupali added her unique charm to the trending song. On Wednesday, she shared a video of her where she showcases her cool moves while enacting and lip syncing to the popular viral song “Dosa Idli Sambhar Chutney Chutney” by Appu.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Rupali Ganguly (@rupaliganguly) Sharing her video on Instagram, Rupali wrote in the caption, Reel life, real fun! Back again With my reel addicts Dosa + Idli + Chutney = South Indian Love! Which one is your favorite? #rupaliganguly #foodie #reelsinstagram #reelitfeelit #southindianfood.” The hilarious clip features the actress holding a plate of dosa, joined by her team members, as they groove to the song at a restaurant. Interestingly, the peppy track was originally released in 2022 on Spotify. From dance recreations to cute videos, internet users are unable to stop grooving to the song. A few days ago, actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra shared a funny video of herself grooving to the song "Dosai Idly." Alongside it, she wrote, “When in Chennai #chennaidiaries.” Meanwhile, Rupali also shared a video showcasing the spacecraft's safe landing, with a team of professionals helping astronaut Sunita Williams as she stepped out of the spacecraft. Sharing the same on her Instagram stories, the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actress wrote, “Welcome back dearest @sunitawilliams.” Earlier, on the occasion of Holi, Ganguly shared a heartwarming video highlighting her memorable moments with family. The clip captured the joyous celebration of the festival of colors with her husband and kids. She captioned the post, “Holi Memories 2025! Splashes of fun, flashes of memories!#holi2025.” On the work front, the actress is currently playing the titular role in Star Plus' popular show “Anupamaa,” which has been ruling the TRP charts since its debut. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

20 March,2025 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Elvish Yadav

Elvish Yadav age shames Ankita Lokhande on his podcast- watch

YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav often catches headlines for his controversial statements. Yet again, the content creator, who is currently seen as one of the gang leaders on Roadies, has created headlines for all the wrong reasons. Elvish is getting trolled for an old video that has resurfaced on social media. Recently, Elvish invited Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain on his podcast, where he made a statement against Ankita that has put him under fire. Why do People Even Go to his Show ?byu/Chai_Lijiye inInstaCelebsGossip Elvish Yadav age shamed Ankita Lokhande In the video, which is now going viral, the Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner can be seen age-shaming Ankita Lokhande. He is seen asking the Bigg Boss 17 runner-up if she would play the role of Alia Bhatt’s mother. The video clip has Elvish saying, "Wikipedia aapki umar 40 batata hai toh Alia Bhatt ke saath movie karoge? Maa ka role karoge?" The actress looks visibly offended. She replies, “Kyu? 40 saal ki lady buddhi ho jaati hai? Main kahi se bhi buddhi lagti hoon?" As Elvish kept insisting on his question, Ankita firmly responded, saying, “Nahi. Kyuki main bilkul bhi nahi lagti Alia Bhatt ki maa." He further made another derogatory comment and said, “You guys should start planning a baby now, or you’ll end up welcoming a grandson instead." This led to social media fury against Elvish. One user said, “The confidence this l0ser got after winning Bigg Boss OTT 2 is insane. Jail time made him even more confident because he knew he had strong political backing. I hope he gets pushed back into oblivion. The worst ‘influencer’ ever (sic)." Another commented, "Why has the internet not cancelled Elvish yet? What an irrelevant loser (sic)." "This disgusting dkhead even has a talk show? And people actually go on it?"** a third comment read. About Elvish Yadav’s recent controversy Elvish Yadav recently found himself in the midst of controversy after he made a racist remark against Chum Darang on his podcast show with Rajat Dalal. After the video of him making derogatory comments against Chum surfaced, he was summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW). However, even after the strong claims against him, he continued to participate in reality shows like Laughter Chefs 2 and MTV Roadies. Additionally, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has strongly condemned Elvish’s participation in Laughter Chefs 2.

19 March,2025 06:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Tejasswi Prakash and Karan Kundrra

Tejasswi Prakash thinks Karan Kundrra would be THIS hot dish ‘because he is…’

The internet is buzzing with excitement as Tejasswi Prakash’s mother has confirmed that she will get married this year. While this news has TejRan fans thrilled, here’s another treat for you all. In an exclusive chat with Mid-Day, Tejasswi Prakash spilled the beans about her romantic date dish for Karan Kundrra, what dish he would be if he were food, and more. Karan Kundrra is shocked with Tejasswi’s cooking skills Tejasswi, who has been doing amazing in Celebrity MasterChef, revealed in conversation with us that Karan is shocked by her culinary skills and said, "He has loved everything that I have cooked for him and he is actually surprised, saying, 'Yaar, kitna achhe se banati hai tu.'" She further revealed that she hasn't tried cooking poha since Bigg Boss and said, "I don't think I am gonna go there." During the conversation, we asked Teja if she loves to cook at home and how she manages everything with two fur babies around. Talking about it, she revealed, "If I am cooking, we keep them with Karan, otherwise they fight a lot." Further, while playing a fun game, we asked Tejasswi if Karan were a dish, what would he be and why. Tejasswi had the most hilarious reply to it. The actress said that Karan would be a sizzling brownie because he is hot, cold, and chocolatey—and the actress burst out in laughter. About Tejasswi & Karan’s wedding plans Tejasswi Prakash and Karan Kundrra have been in a relationship for quite some time now. The couple, who met inside the Bigg Boss house, fell in love with each other on the reality show, and since then, they have been in a happy relationship. Now, it looks like the couple is all set to take their relationship to the next level. Recently, they sparked wedding rumors after Farah Khan questioned Tejasswi about her marriage plans, and that is when her mom confirmed that it is set to happen this year. Farah Khan asked Tejasswi’s mother, “Shaadi kab hogi?” Without hesitation, Tejasswi’s mother responded, “Issi saal ho jaaegi,” confirming that the wedding will take place this year. This confirmation made Farah smile as she congratulated Teja, who was left blushing. But this didn't stop Farah from teasing Tejasswi. While talking to the mother-daughter duo, Farah said, "Ladke ka naam 'Karan' hogaya hai na," teasing Tejasswi and hinting at Karan Kundrra. She also joked about how chef Vikas Khanna would be upset to hear this news and said, "Hamara Vikku, bechara humein chod ke kya chala gaya? Teja ke haanth peele ho gaye." Tejasswi wants a court marriage Earlier, Tejasswi, on Celebrity MasterChef, talked about her wish to have a small and intimate marriage and said, “I am not big on that. I am okay with a normal court marriage. Hum log phir ghumenge, phirenge, aish karenge types." Catch Tejasswi Prakash unfiltered in our exclusive video only on our YouTube channel

19 March,2025 05:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Tejasswi Prakash,  Karan Kundrra, Ankita Lokhande, Arjun Bijlani, Abhishek Bajaj and Kushal Tandon

Kushal Tandon, Arjun Bijlani on TV actors being duped in energy drink scam

In a shocking development, 25 celebrities were allegedly duped of Rs 1.48 crore by an Indore-based energy drink company. The brand reportedly defaulted on the remuneration promised to television actors Tejasswi Prakash, Ankita Lokhande, Abhishek Bajaj and many more, who promoted the drink through Instagram Reels last year. Recently, Roshaan Garry Bhinder—the founder of the talent management agency that brokered the deal between the stars and the brand—filed a complaint against its alleged owners Tanish Chhajed, Manu Shrivastava and their associates at the Chembur Police Station.   When mid-day reached out to actor Kushal Tandon, who was the first to flag off the alleged fraud last November, he said that Bhinder approached him for the endorsement. “We had to make a reel on Instagram. Roshaan told me the payment would be made within a month [of doing the job], but I didn’t receive any payment even after three months. Roshaan then gave me a cheque, which bounced. [She then admitted] that the brand’s team had not made any payments to her,” he recounted. Tandon added that he then reached out to Chhajed and warned that he’d post about the lack of payments, on social media. “I was the first to post about the fraud. When [Chhajed] requested me to remove the post, I said, ‘Give me my fees and I’ll remove it’, which he did. I’m probably the only one to be paid,” said Tandon. ShivShakti actor Arjun Bijlani escaped by a hair’s breadth. The norm is that actors are paid an advance, but the company refused to comply with it. “It was [told] that the brand [belongs to] Surya Kumar Yadav. When I told [Chhajed] that I will ask [the cricketer] personally, they told me not to speak to him,” said Bijlani, the event raising his suspicion. Jubilee Talkies actor Abhishek Bajaj wasn’t as lucky. “I was told I’d be paid within a month; it has been six months since,” he rued.Bhinder, Prakash, Lokhande and Karan Kundrra didn’t respond until press time. 25Number of celebrities reportedly duped by the energy drink brand

19 March,2025 07:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
Aishwarya plays an flight attendant on Zyada Mat Udd. Pics/Instagram

Aishwarya Sakhuja on Zyada Mat Udd: ‘Comedy gives my eyes some rest’

Almost 15 years and 23 shows later, Aishwarya Sakhuja is still recognised for her first popular show, Saas Bina Sasural. The actor admits that it is a regular occurrence when people still talk about the 2010 show. Now the actor is back on television after more than a three-year hiatus. Believing comedy is her forte, returning with a comedy show like Zyada Mat Udd was the perfect choice. The weekend show revolves around the working of the aviation industry and has Sakhuja playing an a flight attendant. In conversation with mid-day, the actor sheds light on why she took up the show and what makes it a hit. Edited excerpts from the interview. How do you view your 15 years in the industry?I started sometime in 2010. I feel that I have been able to sustain myself as an actor who takes her job seriously for as long as I have. Out of 15 years, I must have worked for five years. I’m coming back after a three-year-long hiatus because I was being offered the same kind of roles I’ve done in the past. [The wait was not because] I wanted to break the stereotype or break the glass ceiling. I only felt, if I am bored doing the same thing repeatedly, why will the audience enjoy it? I genuinely feel that energies get translated on screen. So I was very clear that I will only pick up acting offers if something really resonates with me. How did you deal with all the idle time waiting for a good opportunity?It was stressful, of course, because this is my bread and butter. To sustain yourself in a city like Mumbai can get a little testing. Having said that, I’ve never, ever lived my life to put up a picture [on social media] of how great or luxurious my life is. I’ve always lived a very simple life and with a lot of dignity. So, when I did not have work for three years, I explored other aspects of my personality. That’s when I took up academics and studied hard. Today, I can proudly say that I am a certified therapist. What was your initial reaction to the show?Comedy has always been my favourite genre, as I have done a lot of comedy plays on stage. Even Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Take 2 [was a comedy role]. I enjoy the genre; it gives my eyes some rest, as I no longer have to use glycerine and cry my eyes out. It’s a refreshing approach to my comeback. Do you think content on television has deteriorated over time?I think TV has become very competitive. The fact that TV still has the kind of reach that it does definitely says a lot about the medium. Having said that, now, we have our phones in the palm of our hands. We are always consuming content. So, to make a mark with a show has become difficult for the producers. Thank God, I’m not in their shoes. The show must do well for them to sustain it for as long as they have planned. With more mediums coming in, we are getting to consume different kinds of content. As everyone knows, Bollywood is suffering big time, so much so that we are now releasing old films in theatres. Producers are facing losses. The same goes for TV as well. According to you, what makes a show a hit?I can say that what really makes a hit show is the camaraderie that is shared between the crew and the cast behind the scenes. I have generally experienced that. It translates so beautifully [on screen]. I saw the way the actors functioned together as one unit [in Saas Bina Sasural]; nobody saw the track of their character or how big or small it was. Everybody worked together to uplift each other. That makes a lot of difference. So how is the camaraderie on Zyada Mat Udd?Before we started shooting, we were made to do a one-month workshop where we met each other every day. We were putting in eight to 10 hours, sitting and reading the same scenes again and again every day. We didn’t know at the time, but when we came on set, we realised the benefit. We were more approachable to each other and could give feedback because it is comedy; we needed to understand that jokes have to land, and it needed a certain tonality. A collaboration Rohit Nag and Aishwarya Sakhuja Aishwarya and actor-husband Rohit are a much-loved couple, especially for their antics on social media. After Nach Baliye 7 (2015), the duo has not worked together. “We both have a different way of operating. So, if you ever put us together as professionals, I think we will murder each other. We also bring out the best in each other. We’ve always planned things but not seen them materialise,” says Sakhuja.

18 March,2025 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam Abraham
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