Showing posts with label Karanvir Bohra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karanvir Bohra. Show all posts
As micro-dramas surge, 'vertical actors' find fame and fortune
3:00 PM
Strong roles and performances and rapid audience recognition drawing talent to the format
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; June 8, 2026)
India's booming micro-drama industry is giving rise to a new category of performers calling themselves "vertical actors", as short-form storytelling platforms emerge as an alternative to television and streaming services.
Actors, producers, and app founders told ET that emotionally charged performances, stronger roles, rapid audience recognition, and the ability to build dedicated fan bases are drawing talent to the format.
Established vertical actors typically work on at least three series a month, earning Rs 1-3.5 lakh per project, giving financial security in addition to the recognition, according to producers.
Industry executives expect the trend to create bona fide "vertical stars" whose fame is built largely through micro-dramas consumed on mobile phones in portrait mode.
One of the key aspects that differentiates a vertical actor from performers in other storytelling formats is the pace, according to micro-drama directors and actors.
“Vertical actors are defined by their ability to work at a fast pace,” said Samay Bhattacharya, a director who has helmed four micro-drama series. “They have to understand characters quickly and deliver spontaneous performances under tight production schedules.”
Typically, a micro-drama series comprising 50 episodes—each less than two minutes long—is shot at a brisk pace in fewer than 10 days.
“I compare acting across different forms of storytelling to driving,” said actor Karanvir Bohra, a major draw in the Indian micro-drama space. “Films are first gear, while television and web series are second and third gear. Then comes content creation in fourth gear. Finally, vertical acting or storytelling is the highest gear. It demands the best performance and impact in the shortest possible time.”
Vertical actors said the format has provided them with much-needed recognition despite spending decades in the industry.
“The use of close-ups, melodramatic performances, strong cliffhangers, diverse plots and relatively better roles than television in vertical content has brought significant recognition to actors like me,” said actor Piyush Sahdev. “Despite working for more than 25 years across mediums, today I am easily recognized for my micro-drama series The Secret Khiladi.”
“Micro-dramas are reviving the careers of many actors. The careers of actors such as Ashmit Patel, Omkar Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor have been revitalized,” said Vicky Bahri, producer and founder & CEO of KLIP, a micro-drama app. “In the future, I foresee bona fide ‘vertical stars’ known for their micro-drama work, given the high viewership numbers.”
Vertical actors also view micro-dramas as a way to build an audience base for their work in longer storytelling formats.
“Micro-drama content reaches pan-India audiences,” said actor Rajniesh Duggal, known for his debut film 1920. “By working as a vertical actor, I am building my own audience base. This very audience will come to watch my films in theatres. This is one of my chief motivations."
There are many momfluencers today, but getting to hear a dad’s perspective on parenting is still quite rare-Karanvir Bohra
9:28 AM
He is one of the most popular baddies on the small screen, but in real life, Karanvir Bohra is putty in the hands of his three daughters. A hilarious post on Instagram shows the muscular TV actor with a ponytail and blue tutu skirt, spinning on one foot like a wind-up doll after his youngest turns a pretend key on his back. Bohra, who has been part of many hit dramas like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’ and ‘Shararat’, spoke to Neha Bhayana about fatherhood and how he talks so his kids listen
Neha Bhayana (THE TIMES OF INDIA; June 21, 2026)
He is one of the most popular baddies on the small screen, but in real life, Karanvir Bohra is putty in the hands of his three daughters. A hilarious post on Instagram shows the muscular TV actor with a ponytail and blue tutu skirt, spinning on one foot like a wind-up doll after his youngest turns a pretend key on his back. Bohra, who has been part of many hit dramas like ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’ and ‘Shararat’, spoke to Neha Bhayana about fatherhood and how he talks so his kids listen
What is the toughest part of being a father of three girls? And what is the best?
The toughest part of being a father to three girls will come when they become teenagers, when they start having their own likes and dislikes, crushes, late-night plans, and a world of their own. The best part of being a girl dad is knowing that no matter how grown up they become, a part of their heart will always belong to you…and they’ll always love you the most.
Do you worry about how you will react to late-night plans, boyfriends, tattoos and drinking when your daughters grow up? Are you a conservative dad or a cool one?
I think I’m a pretty cool dad, but I don’t know how I’m going to react when boyfriends enter the picture or when my daughters go through their first heartbreaks. I know it is all part of life, and while my instinct will be to protect them, I hope I’ll also be understanding.
As for things like partying, tattoos, drinking, and all other choices they will make as they grow up, I may not always agree with everything. There will definitely be moments that challenge me. But I don’t want to be the kind of father who controls or forces. I want to be someone they can always talk to, someone who guides rather than dictates. A dad who is a mix of fierce and understanding, who sets boundaries but never stops listening.
You enrolled your twins, Bella and Vienna, in a school in Canada during the pandemic (they moved there with their mom, Teejay Sidhu), and your younger one Gia joined them later. Are they still living in Canada?
The past two years have been difficult being away from them while they study in Canada, and I’m here working and attending to my parents. I miss the little moments we once shared every day. Those hugs, conversations, laughter, and simple togetherness…I miss them immensely. My little one, Gia, is such a beautifully free-spirited soul. She stayed with me (in Mumbai) for a year, and those moments were truly special.
Being a television actor comes with its own challenges. There were days when I would shoot for 12 to 14 hours straight, so many times I’d bring Gia along to the set, and she would just chill with me there. And honestly, she loves the set. If you ask her, “What does papa do?” she’ll smile and say, “He’s shooting.”
What is your trick for getting your kids to listen to you?
There’s no trick in the book to make children listen to you. The only real way is to speak to them in their language. Talk to them with respect, as though they are individuals with their own thoughts and emotions. Explain to them what’s right, what’s wrong, and help them understand the consequences of their choices. And then, instead of forcing an answer on them, ask them gently: “What do you think you should do?”
A section of parents and experts believe the new-age gentle parenting approach is spoiling kids. What is your take on it?
People often misunderstand the meaning of gentle parenting. Gentle parenting does not mean spoiling your child. It means not getting angry over every little thing. It means not constantly scolding them for mistakes, but instead guiding them with patience and understanding. It means giving them your time when they say, “Dad, let’s play,” “Listen to my story,” or “Tell me a story.” At the heart of it, gentle parenting is simply about giving your children the quality time, attention, and emotional presence that many of us wish we had received growing up. And at the same time, I completely understand our parents, too. They came from a very different space and generation of parenting, and they did the best they could with what they knew at that time.
In a world of momfluencers, you are among a small number of dads who share their experiences and give parenting tips. How did the idea for your page, ‘Parenting with Karanvir Bohra’ come up?
That’s primarily the reason I chose to share my experiences and the experiences of other fathers as well. There are so many momfluencers today, but very rarely do we get to hear a dad’s perspective on parenting or co-parenting. I genuinely felt people needed to hear that side too. That’s what led me to start a podcast on my YouTube channel called ‘Daddy Adventures’. I’ve had some really interesting and heartfelt conversations with Karan Singh Grover, Raghu Ram, Tusshar Kapoor, Gurmeet Choudhary, Zaid Darbar, Kiku Sharda and many other dads. What touched me the most was getting such a beautiful insight into how they feel as fathers, the emotional journeys they go through, and how each of them is navigating this entire new-age approach to parenting.
You had posted about the time when you let one of your twins take a flight to Canada alone when she was seven. These days, most urban parents never let their kids, especially girls, be alone in order to ensure safety, but they end up making them under-confident and dependent. How can parents encourage their kids to be independent without compromising their safety?
I still remember when my dad and uncle pushed me to take a bus alone for the very first time. I was barely 10, travelling from Colaba to Nana Chowk. When I completed that journey by myself, I felt so empowered. Years later, a similar situation arose with my daughter when she had to travel alone because of an issue with my visa. I realised airlines take great care of children travelling solo. I felt secure knowing she was safe, and I could also see how empowered and confident the experience made her feel. I truly believe parents should encourage children to have small adventures and independent experiences — that’s how they become mentally and emotionally strong.
How has fatherhood changed you?
Becoming a father changed everything for me. Life is no longer just about my dreams, my ambitions, or my journey. It’s about them. Every decision I make now carries a greater sense of responsibility because little eyes are always watching.
What I have learned over the years is that children are not ours to control; they are ours to love, guide and support. My role is not to shape them into who I want them to be, but to help them become who they are meant to be.
Has your parenting journey been a smooth or bumpy one so far? What is the biggest lesson you have learned along the way?
My journey as a father has been like a merry-go-round. I have chased my kids to eat food, get ready, go down and play, go to school, etc. Watching my daughters grow up has given me some of the most beautiful moments of my life; it’s like a bouquet of memories I will cherish forever.
Inside India’s multi-million dollar micro-drama industry
8:49 AM
A new wave of ultra-short, high-drama web shows is reshaping India's entertainment landscape - drawing big stars, spawning fresh storytellers and creating a booming industry
Jane Borges (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 16, 2025)
It’s the kind of screen drama that uses all its might to grab your attention: a blindfolded young man sits across a gambling table from a bearded elderly gent, who is rolling a set of dice inside a cup. The dice fly as he flings them sideways and upward; the camera freezes them mid-air before they drop in slow motion, landing neatly inside the cup held by the man, who, with a swift swoop, places it face down.
“Is baar kya?” he asks. The camera zooms in on the young man, who removes his blindfold and confidently says, “One.” In the next shot, the man lifts the cup to reveal three perfectly stacked towers of dice, all showing the number one. “Good,” he says, with a smug smile.
The 16-second scene from Gambler: One Table, One Mission, No Mercy sets the tone for the suspense thriller about a casino waiter, Peter, with a razor-sharp mind, determined to unmask his father’s killer. Released earlier this year, the show is already 130 episodes in and has amassed over 63 million views on Pocket TV, making it the platform’s most popular series.
What makes it stand out though is its bite-sized format: each episode runs barely two-and-a-half minutes, even less. By the end of episode one, viewers are introduced to the rest of the cast with equal dramatic flair: from Peter’s steely female boss to a menacing Goan ganglord and a cliffhanger that will compel you to swipe to the next episode.
The show is among a growing pool of micro-dramas—web serials designed in a vertical format to enable mobile-friendly viewing and single-handed scrolling—that have forced the Indian entertainment industry into quick submission.
Several platforms — Kuku TV, Pocket TV, Quick TV, Terribly Tiny TV, and Fatafat — have launched in the last one year, most on a subscription-based model, carving out a neat $9 million share of the global $9 billion micro-drama market (China holds the lion’s share at 83 per cent), according to The Gaming and Interactive Media Opportunity in India report by BITKRAFT Ventures and Redseer Strategy Consultants.
While India’s numbers may currently appear small, the market, the report notes, is now at the same inflection point that China — where micro-drama originated as duanju — hit five to six years ago, and is set to spiral quickly, growing to $125 million next year and hitting $1.1 billion by 2030.
Its rising popularity is evident by the number of well-known faces entering the space: Bollywood actress Zareen Khan, and television stars Jay Soni, Mouli Ganguly, Gaurav Chopra, Karanvir Bohra, Aman Verma have already bagged lead roles in micro-dramas.
“They lend emotional familiarity to the stories, especially among users transitioning from TV to digital-first experiences,” says Manohar Singh Charan, co-founder and chief financial officer, ShareChat and Moj, which launched the micro-drama app Quick TV. From a production standpoint, their involvement has also helped attract established directors and studios to the ecosystem.
Filling the gap
The reason India’s micro-drama marketplace has suddenly become crowded is simple: consumers were already deeply engaged with short-form video formats popularized in China, Korea, and the West. Apps such as DramaBox, ReelShort, ShortMax, NetShort, and FlickReels offered a surplus of binge-worthy content. Micro-dramas like A Familiar Stranger about a Prime Minister’s daughter who swaps faces with a painter to escape an unwanted marriage and The Double Life Of My Billionaire Husband about a woman who marries a disgraced man to help her mother, have become global hits. The format has grown so rapidly that Fox Entertainment and Walt Disney are now investing in it.
It was only a matter of time before Indian players latched on to the concept. The economics of micro-drama production—faster cycles, smaller crews, and more targeted scripts—made it a lucrative opportunity. The average cost of producing a micro-drama ranges between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 25,000 per minute, translating to roughly Rs 10-15 lakh for an hour-long series. This represents a 70-90 per cent reduction compared to mainstream television or OTT production costs. Even a high-budget production featuring a bigger-star would average Rs. 75,000 per minute, which still amounts to Rs. 45 lakh for the first season of a series.
Mirroring the China model
The beginnings of the Indian micro-drama have been predictable and largely risk-free—most shows are adapted from the Chinese micro-dramas with a few tweaks made to the script. Indianising formats that had worked elsewhere and in India, says Punit Dahima, creative producer at Pocket TV run by PocketFM, make them instantly relatable to audiences. The only difference is Indian dramas are much shorter. Pocket TV began by producing content that was two hours long like their counterparts abroad, but Dahima says they quickly realized that user attention spans were shrinking further.
“Many were dropping at the 60th or 70th minute, and so we crunched it down to 90 minutes,” he adds. This needed a writing overhaul, making the script tighter, more engaging with nail-biting drama.
Anuj Gosalia, founder-CEO of Terribly Tiny Tales, which debuted in the micro-drama space six months ago with Terribly Tiny TV, says that though at present, Chinese and American adaptations are being preferred across the board, “as the format evolves, and bigger players join the fray, we will see more fun stuff”. Only recently TT TV launched Five Six Seven Ate, an original drama about four young women, whose paths collide when they are selected to compete in a major dance competition. The show is currently available for viewing on TT TV’s Instagram and YouTube.
“We want to say young, contemporary things through this format, while knowing fully well that it has to be sharply cut for the attention spans that we are catering to,” says Gosalia, who prefers not to label TTT’s users as metro or urban. “Today, any young person with a smartphone on Instagram or hooked on Reels shares a similar visual grammar. It’s aspirational too—especially the kind of content they watch on Instagram. That’s really the audience we’re talking about: very young, very connected.”
New storytellers in the making
Interestingly, the audience demographic varies from platform to platform. On Quick TV, the typical micro drama viewer is between 18 and 34 years old. “Nearly 70 per cent of our viewers come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, underscoring the deep penetration of Bharat’s digital entertainment wave,” shares Charan.
The Pocket TV user base has been across age groups from both metros and semi-urban pockets, with some shows, especially thrillers, having more male audiences than female, says Dahima. The BITKRAFT Ventures and Redseer Strategy Consultants study throws more insightful data: Most of the viewership is currently from metro/Tier 1 cities, with the demographic comprising mainly blue-collar workers, students and women. Sixty per cent viewers are male.
Santa Cruz-resident Divish Raina, 28, who started watching Hindi micro-dramas recently, closely following crime comedy Mohalla Mafia and mythological fantasy Dev Ya Manav, says the “crisp pacing and the cliffhangers are the best part”. “I can watch them between tasks, while commuting, or during quick breaks and still feel fully entertained.”
Tess Joss, 38, who lives in Kochi, says the production value of the Indian shows are much better than the Chinese and Western micro-dramas. “These are essentially stress busters. Watching them gives me an excuse to cry or feel emotions that I may not be willing to feel about myself.”
For Sandra Borges, 63, the women-centric themes are what draws her to these shows. “They just pop-up randomly on my feed, and I watch whatever I can. But sometimes, unfortunately, I have to leave these shows mid-day, because I am expected to subscribe to the apps, and I don’t have an online payment option.”
As the consumer base grows and diverges, the demand for original and fresh stories is also expected to increase. Ranjeet Pratap Singh, CEO of Pratilipi, India’s largest digital storytelling platform, hence, believes that “it makes more sense to invest in stories rather than enter distribution and compete with the 50-plus players already in the space”.
Since its launch in 2014, the app has published 14 million pieces of content, which includes novels, series, and short stories. As of today, 9,000-plus chapters and stories get uploaded on the app every single day. Singh admits it’s a goldmine. By December of this year, 60 of Pratilipi’s stories will be produced across platforms. Forty more titles are going to be on this list by March next year, he says.
These platforms have also made writing very democratic. In Alibaug, homemaker Darshana Pradip Waghmare has been quietly scripting her own success story. The 32-year-old began by sharing Marathi stories on the Pratilipi app, which got her a large readership. One thing led to another, and she was invited to develop one of her stories for a Hindi micro-drama, Darr De Dil, for MX Fatafat, part of Amazon MX Player. The plot revolves around a man who has powers of a demon.
“It’s a love cum horror comedy,” she says. The first season comprising 30 episodes got her an advance of Rs 10,000 and a decent royalty share, which is deposited into her account every month. Waghmare says she has been given all the freedom to write her three-minute-long episodic stories. “What makes it equally fun and challenging is ending each story on a hook, so that the viewer craves to know what happens next.” The show is now being developed for multiple seasons.
Start of something new
Meanwhile, actors are also turning to the platform to engage with newer audiences. Zareen Khan, for instance, plays herself in Pocket TV’s Phir Se Restart, making her the first Bollywood actor to experiment with the format. The show follows a man (actor Jay Soni) who is given a second chance at life after wasting his first on drinking, gambling, and physically abusing his family. At the same time, Khan — unhappy with her costume designer — launches a contest, which becomes an opportunity for Soni’s character to both redeem himself and reclaim his life.
“I think this is the most convenient and easy way to stay connected to your fans and audience, because everybody is glued to their phones today,” says Khan. She agreed to the show partly because she couldn’t ride the OTT wave, when it took off in 2020. “My mother was unwell, and I was busy caregiving. So, I missed out on that window,” she says. “I didn’t want to miss out on this one. It is honestly going to be the next big thing.”
Namish Taneja, who plays the lead in Gambler, says he instantly connected with the character. “I realised the popularity of the show after people started asking me if I was the actor from Gambler,” he says, smiling. Because of the nature of the medium, Taneja had to reinvent himself—“be more loud, more dramatic, and at the same time stay authentic”—as he occupies most of the vertical frame, with fewer elements to distract the audience.
Actor-producer Karanvir Bohra, whose Hero No. 1 recorded multi-million views within weeks of its launch and attracted strong repeat engagement, echoes similar sentiments. “It’s fast, punchy, and instantly engaging… You have barely a minute to live a moment… to feel, to emote, to pull the audience into your world,” he says. Bohra and his business partner are also creating micro-dramas for platforms. “The format may be small and vertical, but the possibilities are limitless.”
A different vocabulary
For filmmakers and directors, micro-dramas have also made them rethink how they shoot and why. Director Amit Jha worked on Crime Patrol for close to a decade. When he was given the opportunity to shoot Gambler, it was like starting afresh, unlearning everything he’d studied in film school. The question he had to ask himself is, “How do I excite the audience within a short span of time?”
“The main focus is the emotion of the character, and you have to highlight that,” he says, adding that you can’t ignore the chain effect—you need to keep the momentum going every 30 seconds and leave them wanting more.
What worries Jha is how inundated this market has become, which he thinks could affect the quality of the shows. Everyone is making a micro-drama, bringing budgets down to half and even a third of what platforms were paying at the beginning of the year.
“Now, budgets are going as low as Rs. 5,000 a minute,” he says. Can he make a good bite-sized drama within such a restricted budget? “If I get a good script, a good location, proper resources, and a great cast, yes, perhaps,” he says.
There will be challenges to circumvent in the future. As the BITKRAFT–Redseer study points out, “IP infringement cases for similar storylines, plots, etc; CBFC intervention to regulate the type of content allowed on platforms; and the entry of bigger players offering micro-dramas as a free supplement” will slowly start cropping up.
Nonetheless, this space is fertile, generating interest among traditional filmmakers too. Nikhil Gonsalves, who directed the Konkona Sen Sharma-starrer Mumbai Diaries (2021), sums it up best. “While I would prefer to stay in the horizontal medium because that is what I have grown up on and built my career on, I don’t feel anything is sacrosanct. Each generation will evolve with the way they tell stories,” he says, adding, “I started my career when everything was shot on film, and then came the digital medium, and I became a director because of streaming. So, I feel as long as storytelling doesn’t become about algorithms, any medium is welcome.”
People criticizing Animal are denying reality-Karanvir Bohra
4:18 PM
Syeda Eba Fatima (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 20, 2023)
Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal has been in the news lately, as many believe the film glorifies toxic masculinity. Now, actor Karanvir Bohra’s character Viraj Dobriyal from the 2011 drama Saubhagyavati Bhava is being compared to Kapoor’s Ranvijay via several memes on social media. However, box-office numbers for the movie show that it’s being watched and appreciated widely. Bohra feels it is because the film, like his show, mirrors the real world.
“On research, our channel found that viewers like characters such as Viraj [or Ranvijay from Animal] as they are taken from real life,” he shares, adding, “We need to accept that life is not all roses and fairytales. Through movies and shows, we are just sharing stories of the real world and not propagating domestic violence. There is a difference between sharing stories and promoting agendas.”
To those who feel that it is all about normalizing toxic behaviour, Bohra says, “People who are criticizing Animal are denying the reality. Moreover, when it comes to such stories, I don’t think there is anything wrong or right. When it comes to cinema and making art, one may hold a certain perception and choose to show a story according to that. Others might not agree with it, but that doesn’t make it wrong. It’s fictional but inspired by real life.” He asserts that the idea is not to influence people to behave like those characters.
Quoting examples from his own show, the 41-year-old feels that such projects help spread awareness about issues such as domestic violence. “I used to have talks about these issues. We took on the responsibility of making people aware that they should not endure something like this. During those times, we got to know that many people experienced such things (abuse and violence), as they would tell us that they were going through something similar,” Bohra ends.
Karanvir Bohra rubbishes claim of being a troublemaker on the sets of Saubhagyavati Bhava 2
8:25 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 14, 2023)
There’s a new drama brewing on the sets of Saubhagyavati Bhava 2, as insiders claim that actor Karanvir Bohra’s attitude is leading to trouble.
“Things got escalated because of the attitude of one of the leads — Karanvir,” informs a source. Opening up about the incident, the insider reveals, “Recently, there was a slight delay in the shoot, and Karanvir had to wait for 10-15 minutes for the shot to get ready, and for his co-actors to join him. This didn’t go down well with him apparently, as he walked out of the set showing middle finger to the director and the team.”
While the makers of the show are yet to revert to our message confirming the incident, Bohra has denied these claims. “Someone from the set, who has some issue with me, is trying to spread these lies,” he says, adding, “They are claiming that I lost my cool because I had to wait for 15 minutes, and I would like to tell them that I have waited on set for a shoot for almost 20 hours. I have never done such a thing and will never do.”
He asserts that he has a close bond with his co-stars: “I don’t mind waiting for my colleagues or helping them in case of delays, because I can also be in the same spot in future. So, there is no point getting angry about it.”
Soundous Moufakir, Karanvir Bohra indulge in a war of words
8:48 AM
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; August 7, 2023)
Moroccan model Soundous Moufakir, who has been a part of Roadies and won Splitsvilla 14, recently hit out at Karanvir Bohra for passing an inappropriate comment at an event. The latter, however, says that his comment has been misinterpreted.
Allegations made by Soundous
Talking about the incident, Soundous said, “I was attending an event on July 28 where I received an award. I gave my acceptance speech in Hindi, which I’m not very fluent in, so the host (Abhinandan Singh) said that I should be given another award for how nicely I spoke in Hindi. He then turned towards Karanvir, who was sitting in the audience and asked him if he agreed. To that, Karanvir said, ‘Tu yeh award le ja ghar.’ He probably thought that I wouldn’t understand what he said, but I asked him how he could say something like this.”
Soundous, who is currently seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 added, “I posted about this on social media, so that Karanvir doesn’t pass such comments on anyone else in the future. He didn’t clarify his behaviour in his video later, he just tried to change the narrative.”
Karanvir’s clarification
Karanvir refused to comment on this, but posted a video on Instagram giving his side of the story. He said, “This lady made a statement about me apparently making a remark on her. However, she has misunderstood me. My reply was a sarcastic one and aimed at the host. It was meant to tell him not to flirt with her on stage. Soundous should have felt bad about his comment. The host objectified you and you misunderstood that. Your Hindi is not that clear and you don’t understand it clearly, so you need to learn Hindi. If you want to make another post or story, please make it for the host. Thank you very much.”
What happened on the stage...
After her acceptance speech, the host is seen telling Soundous that she should get another award for her Hindi and turned towards actor Karanvir Bohra, who was sitting in the audience, and asked him if he agreed with him. Karanvir is heard saying, “Tu yeh award le ja ghar.”
The host then pointed at Soundous, and asked, “Main yeh award le jau?” Soundous was seen reacting to Karan and said, “Aise kaise baat karte hai?”
Favouritism in TV industry? 100%, say actors
8:55 AM
Television actors say that just like Bollywood, their industry too, is rampant with unfair practices
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 17, 2020)
After several voices spoke up against nepotism and favouritism being rampant in the Hindi film and music industry, it seems that even television has not been left untouched. We talk to a few popular names in the TV world, and what they reveal is rather surprising.Actor Kamya Panjabi, 40, tells us that it’s practised quite openly, and many people have to suffer because of the preferential system. “It hasn’t happened with me, but I agree 100%, and I know about it. In a lot of places, it’s called being a channel’s favourite. A certain actor will continue to work even if he or she causes problems, shoots only for eight hours, or isn’t able to perform,” she says.
More actors join the debate and agree. Debina Bonnerjee, known for shows such as Ramayan and Chidiya Ghar, says that people need to take chances with actors, and not be limited in their choices.
“Sometimes, you give a very good audition, but certain channels don’t feel the same way, and you don’t know why. People have to take that chance. I never worked with proper GEC channels until last year, and they loved it, so did the audience. You have to give somebody a chance, and then decide whether that person is capable or not,” she urges.In fact, things get to such a point, that people around the ‘channel’s favourite’ begin to question their own talent and worth.
Panjabi says, “If you want to become big, you’ve to be the channel’s favourite, and in films, the producers’ favourite. These things have caused other artistes to go into depression. They suddenly feel worthless that ‘We’ve to wait for 10 hours, and we don’t even get much money because we aren’t the favourites’. They’re the ones who agree to compromise and take pay cuts also.”
Being a ‘favourite’ can only take you so far, believes actor Karanvir Bohra. He admits favouritism exists, and he’s never been that person. “Thankfully, production houses believed in me as an actor, and my characters did well. You’ve to set your own standards also. I’ve been around for a long time, and channels’ favourites have come and gone. I saw it happen in 2006. Yes, we all feel it’s not fair, and bullsh*t. But you don’t sit and cry about it, nothing comes easy, you’ve to work hard and smart,” says the 37-year-old.
Saumya Tandon, who has been a part of showbiz since 2006, says that favouritism exists everywhere, including TV. But she adds that it’s not so pronounced as it’s in Bollywood. “That’s because the stakes aren’t that high. I still feel I’m not a TV insider because I hardly get into the politics of it, and I hardly party, or attend award functions unless I’m hosting. I feel the best feedback comes from people and it should translate into better work opportunities, everything else is useless.”
Echoing Bohra’s sentiment that talent takes you far in the entertainment industry, Mahhi Vij concurs that some actors get better treatment than others. But she argues that it happens in other industries as well.“If I’m not considered for a role, somebody else gets it, even if I auditioned for it to the T. That’s okay. They might get opportunities because of favouritism, but if it doesn’t connect with the audience, the show will get wrapped up. Favouritism ka achaar daaloge?,” she questions.
Sharad Malhotra calls for a level playing field for everyone, irrespective of them being an insider or outsider or their favourite status. “Maidaan dono ko same do, phir dekho kaun zyaada unchi chhalaang laga sakta hai. You can’t hinder someone’s chances, you can’t do something venomous or harmful to somebody to stop their growth. That’s not how we function. When someone calls me saying ‘aapke liye role nahi hai, aapka koi bhai ya dost hai’, I personally call up my friends or other people. Any kind of insecurity shouldn’t exist,” he opines.
My meme had nothing to do with respecting the Ramayan-Karanvir Bohra
8:16 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 18, 2020)
Social media is no kind place and the latest to witness its wrath is Karanvir Bohra. The actor recently put up a blooper video of television series Ramayan, on Instagram. While many had a good laugh over the meme, there were a handful of users who found it disrespectful. Talking about it, he assertively says, “I didn’t disrespect the gods because I’m a devout Hindu and a very spiritual being, thanks to my upbringing. The meme was about an extra who was dancing instead of engaging in the war. It had nothing to do with respecting the Ramayan.”
A few trolls also slammed him for comparing the show to the American fantasy drama Game of Thrones (GOT). “I compared it to GOT because it is a true blue war series of our times. Back in the day, we thought Ramayan and its portrayal of war was brilliant because we didn’t know anything better,” he explains.
Bohra reiterates that he shared the video in “plain jest” and urges everyone to “take it easy”. He shares, “Trolls need to get a life. Once I answered back, the troller apologized. I won’t apologise for the post since it wasn’t a dig at the show, the makers or anyone else.”
He recently donated 1,000 face masks to policemen. He believes that it’s particularly important for public figures to engage in social work as it would inspire the wider public to follow suit. “I wanted to make the masks on my own but I would’ve been able to make only 100. I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to do something for the front line workers,” he says.
37-year-old actor Kushal Punjabi found hanging in Pali Hill flat
7:59 AM
V Narayan (THE TIMES OF INDIA; December 28, 2019)
Mumbai: Actor Kushal Punjabi, 37, who appeared in films such as ‘Kaal’ and ‘Lakshya’ as well as the television reality show ‘Fear Factor’, was found dead in his flat at Pali Hill in Bandra (west) late on Thursday.
His parents and friends came to his flat in Alsid Apartment as he was not answering his phone at around 11.30-pm and found him hanging from a ceiling fan. Police have recovered a one-and-a-half page suicide note in which Punjabi said no one should be held responsible for his action and requested that his property be divided among his parents, sister and his three-year-old son.
Punjabi had been contemplating divorce and was depressed, the police have learnt from his family and friends. “Punjabi’s wife Audrey Dolhen, a foreign national, is employed in Shanghai and wanted him to relocate. But he was of the view that they should move to a place where he could pursue his acting career,” a police officer told TOI. Punjabi’s parents repeatedly tried to contact him since 2 pm on Thursday.
“When Punjabi did not respond despite their repeated calls on Thursday, his parents contacted his friends and entered his flat using a duplicate key. They found him hanging and took him to hospital and informed the police. A suicide note was found in which the actor held no one responsible,” said DCP (zone IX) Paramjit Singh Dahiya.
Punjabi started his career as a dancer and model, and appeared in several music videos like ‘Pehla Nasha (remix)’ and DJ Aqeel’s ‘Kehdoon Tumhain’ recreation. He debuted as a TV actor with ‘A Mouthful Of Sky’ and over the years, Punjabi featured in popular shows like ‘Kkusum’, ‘Dekho Magar Pyaar Se’, and ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat’. He moved on to films in 1996 and performed alongside stars like Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra in ‘Andaaz’, and with Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta in ‘Lakshya’.
Senior inspector Vijaylaxmi Hiremath said Punjabi stayed alone in the rented flat as his wife lives and works in Shanghai. Their three-year-old son Kian lives with her. She has been informed about the incident, and a case of suicide has been registered. Punjabi’s body has been kept at Cooper Hospital and his wife and son are expected to reach by Thursday night.
In his suicide note, Punjabi wrote that “no one should be held responsible for this extreme step” and that 50% of his property and investments should be given to his son and the other 50% to his parents and sister. He asked that they should share equally his flat in Kandivli, an imported bike, and the Rs 12 lakh he has invested through his CA. The car he used was left to his mother in whose name it was registered.
Residents of Alsid declined to comment, but his close friend Chetan Hansraj, himself an actor, told TOI: “Kushal was a fighter but what he has done has left us all in shock. There are multiple reasons—family issues and work related—for him to undergo depression. I had known him for the last 20 years and he was a very cheerful person. He had been staying alone at the rented flat in Bandra for almost a year and was without work, which could be one of the reasons that took a toll on him. His wife moved to Shanghai six months ago because of the nature of her work.” The last rites will be performed on Saturday, he added.
Another actor-friend Karanvir Bohra said Punjabi’s parents are devastated. “They were saying that he was the backbone of the family. He was the one who inspired everyone and was the positive guy in the family,” he said online.
Indian Embassy issued me a new temporary passport-Karanvir Bohra
8:06 AM
Karanvir Bohra recounts his eight-hour ordeal after he was detained at the Moscow airport for 'damaged passport'
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 31, 2019)
Television actor Karanvir Bohra had a bumpy start to his trip to Russia, where he was invited as the chief guest of the MacCoffee Bollywood Film Festival Russia 2019, which began on January 29 and will go on till February 3.
The actor, who landed at the Moscow international airport on Wednesday morning, was detained after a tear on his passport allegedly led officials to raise an alarm. Talking to mid-day from Moscow, the actor recounted the incident.
"The officials at the immigration desk checked my passport for almost 15 to 20 minutes. They concluded that my passport was damaged and that they would have to deport me. I was surprised as I had not faced any difficulties while leaving India or at the visa office," he said, adding that he then appraised the Indian Embassy and Russian Embassy of the situation by tweeting about it. "I also called the officials of the MacCoffee Bollywood Film Festival and informed them too."
Fortunately, the Ministry of External Affairs sprung into action and brought to a close Bohra's eight-hour ordeal. "I am thankful to honourable minister Sushma Swaraj and the officials as they intervened from India. After waiting here for almost eight hours, the Indian Embassy in Moscow issued a brand new temporary passport and visa to me."
The actor is expected to stay in Russia till the first week of February.
Bigg Boss 12 housemate Karanvir Bohra apologises for wife Teejay Sidhu's open letter
8:22 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 17, 2018)
Karanvir Bohra, one of the inmates on Salman Khan’s ongoing reality show Bigg Boss 12, has dismissed his wife Teejay Sidhu’s concerns about alleged bullying by saying that he has no complaints.
Days after several of the TV actor’s friends and viewers of the reality show noted that Karanvir is being unnecessarily bullied, especially by show host Salman, things have taken an unexpected turn.
Karanvir’s wife Teejay, who had earlier dismissed the criticism saying that Salman was like an elder brother to her actor-husband and what he was doing wasn’t bullying, wrote an open letter to the show’s team earlier this week, asking for their forgiveness if she or her husband had done something to rile them, and for an explanation for the treatment meted out to him.
Things seem to have got worse for Karanvir, if the show’s upcoming episode is any indication. Salman opens the show by informing Karanvir about the open letter and asks him if he feels bad when he jokes with him. When the 52-year-old actor told Karanvir that he will not interact with him anymore, the latter apologised, saying, “I look up to you as a mentor and I have no complaints.” Karanvir also requested the makers to let him speak with his wife and that he doesn’t want to spoil his relationship with Salman. Will the scales now tip in the TV actor’s favour?
Bigg Boss 12 keeps Dipika Kakar Ibrahim away from her sasural?
8:46 AM
Karanvir Bohra also enters the house without his better half but Bharti Singh and hubby Harsh will appear together
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 5, 2018)
Actor Karanvir Bohra who was last seen on the small screen as the
lead opposite Mouni Roy in Naagin 2 and later hosted the reality show
India’s Best Judwaah, is on-board Bigg Boss 12 as one of the first inmates. Joining him is the original ‘Simar’ from the popular daily soap Sasural Simar Ka, Dipika Kakar Ibrahim (right).
Interestingly, both actors are participating in the show without their better halves. Dipika tied the knot with her Sasural… co-star Shoaib Ibrahim on February 26 this year.
A
source close to the development reveals, “The makers were looking for a
casting coup, getting Dipika and Shoaib on board, but the latter turned
down the offer. Now, Dipika will partner someone else.”
Karanvir and his wife, Teejay Sidhu, have been married for 10 years, but couldn’t be a part of the show together as they are parents to twin girls Raya Bella and Vienna, who turn two next month. However, newlyweds, comedienne Bharti Singh and her TV show writer-husband Harsh Limbachiyaa (left), will be in the house together.
The show, which has secured the weekend slot, has the theme of ‘vichitra jodi’ this year. Show host Salman Khan begins shooting immediately after wrapping up the Abu Dhabi schedule of Ali Abbas Zafar’s period drama Bharat.
Karanvir Bohra has a near-fatal accident
7:50 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 8, 2017)
Actor Karanvir Bohra, currently seen in Naagin 2, met with an accident on Tuesday when he was on his way to Bhuj to shoot a song for his upcoming film Hume Tum Se Pyar Kitna. It happened around 7 am near Bharuch in Gujarat when a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction caused their car to lose control.
Actress Priya Banerjee and Karanvir’s sister, Meenakshi, were travelling with him. The trio escaped with minor injuries but a shaken Karanvir has cancelled this shoot and is returning to Mumbai.
Speaking to Mirror the actor said, “It all happened in a fraction of a second. We managed to swerve to the right on to the pavement in an attempt to avoid the truck and hit a lamppost. The car is completely smashed and it’s a miracle we survived. We were going to be in Bhuj for four days. We are planning to go back next week.”
Two heroines in Karanvir Bohra’s Darr remake
7:41 AM
Had finalised Pakistani actresses, but faced visa issues. Now, Priya Banerjee has been signed on for Juhi Chawla’s role, and the hunt for the other girl is on
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; November 28, 2015)
While Shah Rukh Khan was obssessed with one girl Kiran (Juhi Chawla) in Darr, Karanvir Bohra’s remake will have two girls! Does that mean he will be obssessed with both the girls? Karanvir, who plays SRK’s role in the film, refuses to give details. He, however, admits that there are changes in the story. While Priya Banerjee, who made her debut with Jazbaa, has been signed on for the role that Juhi played in the original, the hunt for the other girl is on.
Interestingly, before Priya was chosen, Karanvir had finalised two Pakistani TV actresses, Ainy Jaffri and Mawra Hocane. However, visa problems at the last minute led to their cancellation. “There were a couple of reasons why I wanted to cast Pakistani actresses. One is, the story is based in Manali, so I needed girls with the pahadi look. Pakistani girls come close to it as they have sharper features. Secondly, the girl in the film is a poet and I needed that leheza and language. However, close to the time of shooting, the officials started asking for the specific city and location of the shoot. Also, here there were issues raised over Pakistani artistes shooting in India. So, I had to drop the idea.” He is however, happy that he got Priya on board as she fits the bill. “Priya is pretty, petite and has a vulnerability just like Juhi. I am more than happy at the way things have turned out,” smiles Karanvir.
Ask him who is he considering for the other role and he says it will definitely be a TV actress as he has a connect.
The actor who was last seen in Qubool Hai is also still trying to get the title Jaanam which is registered with Mahesh Bhatt. “The title is apt for my film and I am in talks with Bhattsahab to acquire it,” he says.
Karanvir Bohra's debut Bollywood film is a remake of Darr?
7:44 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (October 28, 2015)
In his brand new innings,
Karanvir Bohra is gearing up to dazzle the big screen. The versatile
actor, who carved a niche in television by playing challenging roles in
multiple serials, is all set to make his big Bollywood debut in a film
that is directed by Lalit Mohan. Ajay Kapoor, CEO, T-Series, who is
backing the project, says, “We are supporting this film with our music
as its content and narrative are fresh.“
Taking impetus from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's initiative to do negative roles in films like Baazigar and Darr at the start of his career, Karanvir too is attempting something different.
A source says, “Considering the fact that Karanvir has excelled mostly in dynamic characters with edgy and off-beat roles, he decided to make his debut with a role that the audience, especially his fans, could easily identify with. As they say, 'bad is the new good', the actor wants to make the right impact on the audience's mind with his debut Hindi film.
Karanvir says, “My next movie is an unseen emotion of love. I was craving to do a challenging role for my first film. It was after a lot of research and brainstorming that my team zeroed in on the edgy character that I'm playing in the movie.“ This is the second film that his company, FireBird Productions, is making. Their first film was the Punjabi romcom Love Yoou Soniye that featured his wife Teejay Sidhu and him. He is also thrilled that his father, filmmaker Mahendra Bohra, is mentoring him for his Bollywood debut.
----------------------------
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2015)
Shah Rukh Khan proved his acting prowess early on in his career as the obsessive stalker in Yash Chopra's 1993 romantic thriller Darr. Now, Mirror has learnt that TV actor Karanvir Bohra is all set to co-produce a remake of the film in which he will also play SRK's character, this December.
"I can't reveal anything about the story at the moment, but I can tell you that TV director Lalit Mohan took a break from shows for a year to concentrate on the preproduction of this film and a team of writers worked with him on the script," Karanvir says.
The film will feature an ensemble cast, with Karanvir in the lead, and will be shot extensively in Mumbai and Manali. "We roll in the first week of December. I am really nervous about the film. We are currently in the process of casting the other leads," the actor reveals.
Buzz was, the makers wanted to buy the title Janam from Mahesh Bhatt, who wrote and directed a movie, starring Kumar Gaurav, by the same title in 1985. However, unsure of the kind of film the Darr remake would turn out in the end, Bhatt refused to oblige.
Taking impetus from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's initiative to do negative roles in films like Baazigar and Darr at the start of his career, Karanvir too is attempting something different.
A source says, “Considering the fact that Karanvir has excelled mostly in dynamic characters with edgy and off-beat roles, he decided to make his debut with a role that the audience, especially his fans, could easily identify with. As they say, 'bad is the new good', the actor wants to make the right impact on the audience's mind with his debut Hindi film.
Karanvir says, “My next movie is an unseen emotion of love. I was craving to do a challenging role for my first film. It was after a lot of research and brainstorming that my team zeroed in on the edgy character that I'm playing in the movie.“ This is the second film that his company, FireBird Productions, is making. Their first film was the Punjabi romcom Love Yoou Soniye that featured his wife Teejay Sidhu and him. He is also thrilled that his father, filmmaker Mahendra Bohra, is mentoring him for his Bollywood debut.
----------------------------
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 28, 2015)
Shah Rukh Khan proved his acting prowess early on in his career as the obsessive stalker in Yash Chopra's 1993 romantic thriller Darr. Now, Mirror has learnt that TV actor Karanvir Bohra is all set to co-produce a remake of the film in which he will also play SRK's character, this December.
"I can't reveal anything about the story at the moment, but I can tell you that TV director Lalit Mohan took a break from shows for a year to concentrate on the preproduction of this film and a team of writers worked with him on the script," Karanvir says.
The film will feature an ensemble cast, with Karanvir in the lead, and will be shot extensively in Mumbai and Manali. "We roll in the first week of December. I am really nervous about the film. We are currently in the process of casting the other leads," the actor reveals.
Buzz was, the makers wanted to buy the title Janam from Mahesh Bhatt, who wrote and directed a movie, starring Kumar Gaurav, by the same title in 1985. However, unsure of the kind of film the Darr remake would turn out in the end, Bhatt refused to oblige.
Sanjit Bedi passes away; shingles, stress could be the cause, say doctors
7:48 AM
Diagnosed with shingles, doctors say that stress could be the cause of his premature demise
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 25, 2015)
Sanjit Bedi, who was in his late 30s, and popularly known as Dr Omi in the hit TV show Sanjivani, died in Bombay Hospital on June 23. The actor was suffering from shingles. He had been hospitalised for the last two months. He is survived by his wife.
Those with low immunity are most susceptible to shingles. Their erratic sleeping and eating patterns and the pressure of deadlines, makes TV stars vulnerable.
Dr Nirmal Surya, senior neurologist at the Bombay Hospital, explained, "Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus remains in the nerve tissues. As you get older or after an illness or if you are under severe stress, the virus may reappear as shingles. Delay in treatment can affect the brain. The patient can develop encephalitis, a serious condition causing inflammation of the brain and may go into coma. I have seen many patients who have no serious illness but have a history of stress develop this infection."
Karanvir Bohra who has known Sanjit since their Kasautii Zindagii Kay days remembers him as always full of life. "Though he was diagonised with shingles a few months ago, he was on the road to recovery. May be because of low immunity he suddenly suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. He was in induced coma for four weeks," he informs.
Sanjit's last rites took place at Chandanwadi crematorium in Mumbai. "Sanjit was always happy and smiling. After a few weeks his friends and family have been planning a small get together to celebrate his being," adds Karanvir.
Shah Rukh Khan gives Karanvir Bohra a car for temporary use
8:09 AM
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; April 26, 2014)
Days
after we reported about Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van ramming into TV
actor Karanvir Bohra’s car parked outside a city studio, we have been
informed that Team SRK gave the actor a car for temporary use.Confirms Karanvir, “Yes, Shah Rukh’s team sent a car the very next day and told me I could use it till mine gets fixed. It’s at the workshop now. They have also promised to bear expenses that aren’t covered by insurance and they have taken care of everything.”
So, all okay now? “There was no need to drag SRK’s name into this in the first place, as he wasn’t even in the van. And the driver, who was at fault, apologised. Everything’s been resolved now,” he says.
Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van rams into Karanvir Bohra’s car
9:38 AM
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; April 21, 2014)
TV
actor Karanvir Bohra’s car recently had an unpleasant encounter with
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van. Karanvir, who is
currently shooting for the TV show Qubool Hai, had parked his car
outside a city studio. Says an eyewitness, “SRK’s driver reportedly
rammed into Karanvir’s
car when he was driving in the studio premises. From what we have
heard, the Bollywood actor’s manager has met Karanvir and asked him not
to lodge any complaint. The driver has apologised too. Looks like
Karanvir will now have to approach the insurance guys.” When contacted,
Karanvir said, “I’m in a shot. I can’t talk right now.” SRK remained
unavailable for comment. 
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