Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 5, 2020)

Years ago, Amar Upadhyay became hugely popular as Mihir Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, however, he quit the show to try his luck in films. When he returned to TV, no roles that he did thereafter could match up to the popularity of Mihir Virani. The television world is now abuzz about the actor doing a television show with Ekta Kapoor again. He says, “Doing Kyunki... was one of the best experiences of my life and now, it feels like I am back home.”

Ask him about the reasons that spurred him to quit Kyunki... and Amar is quick to dismiss it, saying, “That’s in the past.” He explains, “I was young and did not want to play an older man at that stage. To add to it, people around me also kept saying that you should be playing a hero in films. So, when I took the step to quit the show, it felt like the right decision at the time, today, I feel differently about it — it wasn’t a wise decision! Having said that, I don’t regret the decision, because I have learned from the experience. When you are at the crossroads, you have to pick a direction and walk. Whether it is right or not, you’ll know only after you have walked down the path.”

The upcoming show is based on a story of a young girl marrying an older man, which will be played by Amar. Happy to have bagged the show, he says, “I keep reminding myself that when God gives you something, you should not throw it away unless he takes it away from you.”
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After 15 yrs, Amar Upadhyay teams up with maker to spread awareness about age-old practice
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 5, 2020)

Remember Mihir Virani from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, who had to return from the dead when the country went into mourning? Well, Amar Upadhyay will soon be back in our living rooms with Ekta Kapoor’s Molkki. The Colors show tells the story of an 18-year-old Molkki bride, Purvi, played by Priyal Mahajan, who is sold and married off to a widower, Vijender, who is twice her age, played by Amar.

“It is based on a real-life practice that still exists in northern states like Haryana. When I was approached for the show, I didn’t know much about it, so I went online and most of the stories had a tragic end. I was deeply moved. Our show sends out the right message, telling people that even while following this age-old practice, you can treat women well,” says Amar.

The show reunites Amar with Ekta after 15 years. He had last done a cameo in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. “We are friends and in 2015-’16, she had offered me a show, but at that time I was already committed to another. During the lockdown, I got a lot of offers, but this was the one I felt I should be associated with,” says the actor, who starts shooting by the second week of October.

Promising to bring a new Amar Upadhyay to the world, complete with a new look, he shares that he has been learning Haryanvi. “I have been speaking Hindi all my life, so I wanted to do something new. The language has swag, I love that,” he guffaws, admitting that carrying a show on your shoulders is a different high despite the fact that with all the competition around, you have to prove yourself almost immediately. Isn’t he worried venturing out in the midst of the coronavirus-triggered pandemic? Amar reveals that he is being guided by his wife Hetal, who is a doctor and frontline warrior. “Inhaling steam is the best precaution at this time as the virus gets stuck in nasal cavities. I keep my steamer-inhaler with me, using it every three hours,” he informs. During lockdown, cooking, washing dishes, binge-watching OTT content and morning walks kept Amar busy. In pre-Covid time, he had run into his neighbour, Satish Kaushik, while walking in the park next to their building. “When he told me that he was directing a new film, Kaagaz, I asked him if he had any role for me. To my disappointment, he told me that he had already finished the casting. The next day however, he caught me in the parking lot and offered me the negative role. I simply asked him what dates he wanted,” Amar reminisces.

Satish gave him a month to grow his facial hair and would video call him daily to check on the look. The film is being produced by Salman Khan. While shooting for Bharat, Satish had outlined the story to Salman who loved it and told him. “Ye meri ho gayi picture.”

Apart from Kaagaz, Amar has a cameo in Abhishek Bachchan’s Bob Biswas, for which he shot in Kolkata in January. He also has Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. “I play Kunwarsa, the king’s son who is married to Tabu,” he reveals, adding that the much-anticipated sequel featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani in the lead, is half complete. “We plan to resume shooting by the last week of December or the beginning of January. Taking the whole crew to Lucknow isn’t easy during this time. There’s about 25 days of work left and if things go well, we will follow this schedule, otherwise push it by a month,” he signs off.