For years, Indian television bowed to the novelty gods, fresh faces, Instagram reels, and Gen-Z casting ruled. Veterans, quietly benched. But of late, seasoned stars are flipping the script, reclaiming prime time, sparking a ratings renaissance and riding the viewer nostalgia wave. Cue Mahadev & Sons, where Sneha Wagh, Shakti Anand, and Manasi Salvi reunite which garnered a whooping 1.4 TVR in the opening week, a solid debut for a fictional show on prime time. Powerhouses like Smriti Irani, forever etched as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and Rupali Ganguly of Anupamaa fame, hold court as leads in top TRP shows. And yes...whispers grow louder: Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Madhubala eye reboots, with original casts in talks instead of newbies.

Creative Director Siddharttha Vankar, who is presently helming two top television shows, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Naagin 7, believes veteran actors offer something far deeper than just familiarity as compared to fresh faces.

“Veteran actors don’t merely add gravitas to a show; they carry decades of shared memory, emotional investment and unspoken trust between performer and viewers. In an era where television audiences are fragmented, impatient, and increasingly distant from appointment viewing, familiar faces act as a powerful emotional anchor. Nostalgia here is not a retreat into the past, but a bridge, one that reconnects audiences to a medium they once loved and slowly drifted away from.”

Siddharttha further adds, “For many older viewers, who have disengaged from active television consumption, the return of beloved actors feels like a personal call-back. These actors arrive with a built-in relationship with the audience; their presence reassures, comforts, and invites loyalty in a way no marketing campaign can manufacture overnight. At a time when newer faces and experimental formats often struggle to hold attention, veteran performers offer stability, credibility and emotional familiarity. They don’t just bring audiences back, they bring back the habit of watching, the comfort of routine, and the sense that television still understands its viewers. And in doing so, they quietly help revive the very ecosystem that once made them icons.”

Veteran actress Manasi Salvi, who gained popularity with the show Kohi Apna Sa in 2001, shares, “Right now we are in a very good time in television because there is an amalgamation happening between veteran actors and new faces. There was a phase when people felt you just needed a beautiful boy or a beautiful girl, and everything else will work, and that you don’t need people like Ram Kapoor or others to make the show work. But now makers are realizing that if you want a show to be stable, even in the first one or two months, you need stable faces. We veterans have a recall value. When viewers feel, ‘I’ve seen her somewhere,’ they want to stay and see what she’s doing now. That familiarity really works. Veteran actors also bring their own loyal audience. With new actors, it takes time to build that connection, but here you already get a ready-made audience, and that’s a plus.”

Rajan Shahi, producer, director and writer of shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Anupamaa says he has always preferred to have experienced actors in his shows. “Experienced actors bring a lot to the table,” he says, adding, “New shows with new faces mostly are not working on TV so popular names and faces are back in demand.” 

Ask him why the veterans were missing from the small screen for so long, and he says without hesitation, “Over time, it became difficult for makers to work with seasoned actors as most of them came with a lot of baggage of stardom. A large number of them were also were eyeing OTT and films. But now things have changed and they are slowly coming back to TV, without any baggages, of course! TV as a medium has become big, more so, as the shows are also streamed on OTT.”

Actor Shakti Anand, remembered for his role as Hemant Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and is now seen in the sequel of the show, believes the television industry is finally recognising the value of seasoned performers after years of chasing trends.

“I’ll say the industry moves and grows with the trend. There was a time when a young boy with 2 million followers was cast. But following someone on Instagram and converting that into a viewership it’s all not the same. Long-time television actors still evoke that nostalgia which people connect with. And because of this new trend of casting more experienced actors, we veterans are finally getting their due, and many actors shall also get the chance to make a comeback,” he says.

Producer, writer, and director Saurabh Tewari, known for Madhubala and Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, has released Mahadev & Sons, featuring three veteran actors. On the real advantage of casting veterans, he says, “What veterans really bring is experience. You don’t have to train them the way you train new actors. They understand performance, camera, and character depth. For a producer, that gives confidence in the content, ki chalo show chale na chale, mera show bann toh acha raha hai. Beyond that, everything else is mostly hype. The trend of casting veteran actors is a phase. Everybody in the industry is just trying to find a formula for the show to run, but there is no such strategic formula.”

Tiwari also cautions on casting older actors: “It’s not like veterans are suddenly reviving television, or earlier chocolate-boy heroes and girls were the only reason shows were running. That’s not how it works. The market today is extremely overcrowded. So, unless you’re actually trying to say something, unless there’s something unique and organic in the storytelling, nothing really shakes the audience. We need to get out of this thought that an actor of any generation can run a TV show. A show works because a few things have gone right in the making and the telling. Nostalgia is a part of it, yes, but it’s just ‘a’ part. If you ask me honestly, a veteran actor may add 10 per cent. The remaining 90 per cent is still content. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is working because the storytelling and the making are right; nostalgia is only one layer. Similarly, nobody was waiting for Rupali to come back with Anupamaa. It’s the story that brought in the TRPs.”

Actor Sneha Wagh, best known for her performance in Ek Veer Ki Ardaas...Veera (2012), currently seen in Mahadev & Sons, says, “The makers were thinking that a good number of social media followers would bring the audience and viewership. They weren’t realizing that those followers are not the television audience, they are basically those who are doomscrolling. The industry is now getting a realization that even when an actor is having a less number of followers, his talent to portray a character will always be more vital for the show. In terms of pay, it’s fine, but I won’t say it’s very good. Of course, veterans are paid well compared to newcomers. However, yes, there will always be a certain recall and face value that old-time actors bring,” she says.

On the way to the Super Star Hall in Andheri on the metro, I noticed the person in front of me absently scrolling through reels — until one made her stop. It featured two girls dancing to the viral hook step of Shararat from the film Dhurandhar. She watched it on a loop, as though mesmerized. That is the thing about a truly great piece of choreography: it cuts through. The man behind those moves, Vijay A Ganguly, just won The Iconic Gold Awards 2026 for the same dance on February 18.

Ganguly, 45, walks into the second-floor of the dance studio dressed in a black sweatshirt, denim jeans, and black-and-white sneakers. He greets his team with enthusiasm, and immediately joins a brainstorming session for a patriotic track in an upcoming film. “When creating the choreography for this song, I want to do something that even soldiers stationed at the border in freezing temperatures could dance to,” says the Worli resident.

A meticulous process guides how each song eventually unfolds on screen. “There is always a plan before hitting the set,” Ganguly says, noting the importance of research and alignment with the director and actors. Yet, he remains open to the occasional lightning strike of spontaneity.

He points to a viral moment in Dhurandhar, where Akshaye Khanna’s Rehman Dakait character dances to Sher-e-Baloch. “That wasn’t planned. He just started dancing, and we kept the camera rolling.”

For Shararat, the creative groundwork began eight months before the first day of shooting, he says. Director Aditya Dhar provided a steady stream of reference videos to help Ganguly deconstruct the specific nuances of Balochistani wedding celebrations. Typically, at festive gatherings, these celebrations include folk dances like Chaap and Do-Chapi, which are performed in circles with rhythmic clapping and coordinated steps, often to the beat of dohol and sorna. What the film captured, Ganguly says, represents only a fraction of the energy festive Balochi dances can generate.

“What we have filmed represents only about 30 per cent of the energy that goes into it,” Ganguly says. He recalls footage of women jumping off stages, falling, then springing back up, an atmosphere he describes as “pumping with energy.” The task was to translate that raw, communal intensity into something cinematic without losing its force.

The resulting video has since amassed over 200 million views on YouTube, with the hook step being recreated globally—a clear metric of success. The impact, however, didn’t end at the steps; it was in the utility of the design. “The costumes couldn’t be revealing, but a sharara would have restricted the choreography, so we added a slit for mobility,” Ganguly reveals.

This was a relatively easy assignment, he says of Shararat, noting the final step was a mix of two options chosen by Aditya Dhar. In contrast, he designed 32 versions for Stree 2’s Aaj Ki Raat. Despite his fame in dance, editing remains his true passion: “I edit all my songs myself; Shararat was 90 per cent cut by me on my little laptop.”

Being on set comes naturally to him, as he grew up watching his father, filmmaker Anil Ganguly, at work. “My sister Rupali and I would accompany my father and seeing how everyone listened to him on set made me want to do the same or at least something similar,” he admits. He appeared in several of his father’s films, including Saaheb, Dushman Devta, and Sadak Chap, absorbing the rhythms of production long before he understood them.

Performance, however, did not begin with easy validation. “When I was ten and wanted to take part in my school play, I auditioned to Everybody Dance with Pa Pa Pa by Mithun uncle, but my teacher rejected me and told me I didn’t have it in me to be a dancer.” The verdict lingered. For years, performance slipped into the background, returning later by chance.

In 1999, he walked into Shiamak Davar’s academy to submit the fee cheque for his sister’s class. The receptionist assumed it was for him and enrolled him instead. Persuaded to try one session, he started at the back of a beginner’s batch, caught Davar’s attention and stayed on, eventually teaching there for 13 years.

In 2013, he left to pursue films. “That’s when my struggle started again — my father had told me at 18, ‘Find yourself; I won’t make calls for you.’”

He waited outside offices for any job he may land. Jagga Jasoos, a four-year musical, shifted his trajectory. Close to quitting in 2016, he held on after his father reminded him, “Time se pehle kisi ko kuch nahi milta.” Galti Se Mistake became his breakthrough and won him the 2018 Filmfare Award.

Ganguly is clear that he does not believe in a formula. “One of my favourite works remains Main Parwaana from Pippa because it blended jazz with Bollywood.” It did not go viral. Not everything does.

In an industry where dance is often linked to names like Farah Khan or the late Saroj Khan, Ganguly maintains, “When it comes to dance, there is no gender.” He points to Chaka Chak from Atrangi Re as proof. As COVID restrictions thinned his team, assistant Abhishek Pai became the reference for the entire routine. “We had to set the song immediately and Abhishek became the blueprint for it,” he says. The result became one of the film’s most recognizable numbers.

Now, Ganguly champions what he calls expression-led dancing, inspired by Govinda, where a fleeting facial reaction can outshine an elaborate step. His guiding principle comes from his father: treat the crew with respect. “People leave their families and work long hours for you. If they are there for you, that day should feel worth it.” should feel worth it and you must treat them with respect.”

Once closed off to anything beyond choreography, he is now open to whatever cinema offers, be it acting, producing, directing, or simply learning the art of lighting a scene. “After all,” he says, “choreography was never the plan, yet it became my calling.”

Actor Mona Singh is still basking in the success of the web series The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. She chose the role with great care, but reveals that being selective has its own share of pros and cons. Prod further and she reveals, “I was approached for (TV show) Anupamaa years ago. But by then, I had decided that I didn’t want to continue doing TV. Hence, I denied the show.”

At that point in her career, the 44-year-old had made the conscious decision to focus on OTT projects by choosing character-driven roles, adding that she never takes up roles “just to be seen”. “For me, what matters is whether the role makes me happy and connects with me. I don’t want to regret my decisions later or carry any negative energy on set,” she explains.

The titular role eventually went to actor Rupali Ganguly, who has been portraying the character for over five years now. “I’m really happy for Rupali and (producer) Rajan Shahi. She is doing such a fabulous job, I think that role was meant for her, and she has owned it beautifully,” the actor opines.

But this approach to roles is not always easy. “It means waiting for the right project to come your way, but I’m okay with that. I don’t regret being selective,” the actor shares.

In the evolving dynamics of the industry, Mona acknowledges that social media often influences casting decisions. “We’ve all heard of instances where influencers with huge followings get cast to pull in more views,” says the actor, whose recent outing, Thode Door Thode Paas, revolves around the overuse of digital media and the much-needed digital detox. “I feel fortunate that people still value what we bring to the table as actors, not just the number of followers we have,” she ends.

Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has been facing criticism over the casting of Pakistani artist Hania Aamir in his recent release Sardaar Ji 3, against the backdrop of continuing tensions between India and Pakistan. Now, actor Rupali Ganguly has also slammed Diljit for his “confused loyalties”.

Taking to X, Rupali didn’t name Diljit but hinted at it as she expressed disappointment over the casting of “an actor” in Border2. She wrote, “Border was a film that evoked deep patriotism among the people of our nation. It’s truly disheartening and frustrating to see an actor in Border 2 who fails to recognize his responsibilities towards the country.”

While there have been rumours of Diljit being dropped from the film, no confirmation has come yet. But Rupali hailed the rumoured decision: “A film that celebrates our soldiers and national pride must reflect that spirit in every aspect. No room for confused loyalties in a film about national pride.”

On the other hand, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, who worked with Diljit in Amar Singh Chamkila (2024) and is making another film with him, defended him saying, “I can’t say much on the row, but since I know Diljit, I can say that us mein deshbhakti ka jazbaa poora bhara hua hai. He is a son of the soil.”

While talking to NDTV, Imtiaz also commented on the Sardaar Ji 3 row saying, “Casting someone isn’t the decision of the actor... I know that uske andar desh prem bahut zyada hai… Jo log dekh paayenge unke andar ke sach ko, unko ye samajh mein aa jaayega.”

Lyricist Javed Akhtar asked the authorities to show “sympathy”. He told NDTV, “Ab kya kare bechara. The movie was shot earlier. Usko pata toh nahi tha ki aisa hoga. Iss mein Pakistani aadmi ka paisa toh nahi doobega, Hindustani ka paisa doobega... Usko pehle pata hota yeh hone wala hain, toh woh thodi na leta Pakistani actress. I think the government and the censor board should look at the situation with a little sympathy. And say that don’t do this again, but since you made this film before, then release it. But it should not happen again.”

Actor Rupali Ganguly has broken her silence on the recent controversy involving her and stepdaughter Esha Verma after the latter called her “toxic” and “abusive”. An old post by Esha, Rupali’s husband Ashwin K Verma’s daughter with his second wife Sapna, claiming that Rupali and Ashwin got into a relationship while he was still married to Sapna went viral.

At a recent event, the actor was asked about how the entire ordeal affected her. “Agar main kahun ki (main) nahin affect hoti toh main jhooth kahungi. Of course, affect hota hai. Hum insaan hain, agar humare baare mein koi peeth peeche thodi si burai bhi kar de toh bura lagta hai,” she told Instant  Bollywood, adding, “Bura samay kabhi kabhi aata hai, buri cheezein hoti hain, lekin acchai hamesha jeetti hai.”

Following one of Esha’s interviews claiming Rupali and Ashwin’s 11-year-old son was illegitimate, the actor filed a Rs. 50 crore defamation suit against her. Esha later issued an apology for dragging her stepbrother into the matter, adding “misinformation was thrown into some articles”. She also deleted the post and made her Instagram account private.

Actor Rupali Ganguly has followed up on a legal notice sent to her stepdaughter, Esha Verma, by filing a defamation suit for Rs. 50 crore in damages. Confirming the same, her lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, tells us, “We have filed a defamation suit in the Bombay High Court today to protect Rupali’s integrity and reputation against baseless and malicious attacks.” Khan further emphasised that the lawsuit is a reminder that no one, regardless of citizenship or location, has the right to defame others without facing consequences.

This legal step follows a prior notice sent by Ganguly, requesting an apology and monetary compensation from Verma, along with the removal of negative social media posts about her. The suit was initiated after Verma failed to meet these demands. The matter is now subjudice and expected to be listed in court soon.

The legal conflict between Ganguly and Verma arose after the latter publicly shared her personal experiences related to her father and her upbringing, which included claims that drew negative attention and criticism on social media.

What Esha said after the legal notice was issued to her

Esha addressed her decision to share her personal story involving her father, stating, “Speaking up was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it also became a turning point in my life.”

The 15-year time leap in Anupamaa in October witnessed the exit of many pivotal characters. However, the one storyline that remained shrouded in mystery was that of Anuj Kapadia, played by Gaurav Khanna. After two months off the set, the actor has finally addressed his future on the show.

“People have been constantly asking me about my return to Anupamaa,” Gaurav says, adding, “Rajan sir (producer Rajan Shahi) had discussed the possibility of a grand re-entry for the character, and we waited two months for it to materialize. However, the storyline had to progress, and waiting no longer made sense. He, too, felt it was time for me to explore something bigger. So, for now, Anuj’s chapter is closed, but I see it as a comma, not a full stop. If the story demands and my schedule allows, I’d be happy to return.”

He further shares, “Anuj was originally planned as a three-month cameo, but it became a defining part of my career, lasting over three years. That kind of love is rare, and I can’t thank my fans enough for it.”

Reflecting on his exit from the daily soap, Gaurav adds, “Moving on isn’t easy. But life is about turning the page and embracing new chapters. Holding on too long can hinder growth. It’s important to adapt & keep moving forward.”

Looking ahead, Gaurav is excited about exploring new avenues, particularly in the OTT space. He shares, “Television has given me immense reach, but OTT offers well-crafted characters and meaningful storytelling. Whether it’s television, films or OTT, I’m here to work hard and let my craft speak for itself. Fame is fleeting; what lasts is your dedication and skill.”

Addressing rumours of a rift with lead actress Rupali Ganguly, Gaurav says, “I don’t engage in retaliatory interviews or respond to rumours. What matters is the work we’ve created together. I’ve always focused on my craft, and what happens beyond the ‘action’ and ‘cut’ is secondary.”

Sharing his perspective on camaraderie among co-stars, he says, “Being friends with your co-actors can help, but it’s not essential for delivering impactful performances. Acting, like cricket, may involve teamwork, but at the end of the day, your individual effort and preparation matter most.”

Esha Verma, stepdaughter of actor Rupali Ganguly, has recently shared a statement addressing the public reaction to her previous social media posts and videos. In her recent Instagram Stories, Esha responded to the Rs. 50 crore defamation notice she received from Ganguly, calling it “disturbing, cruel, and displayed their true character.” She also spoke critically about her father, businessman Ashwin K Verma, asserting that despite being an adult, she is still his child, and that sharing her experiences should not have led to punishment.

Esha, 26, explained that her decision to open up about her past and difficult experiences was driven not by malice but by a desire for “freedom and justice.” “For 24 years, I felt trapped in a reality I couldn’t escape. Sharing my experiences was my way of finding freedom and justice. My intention was never to cause harm but to shed light on experiences that shaped me,” she shared.

Addressing accusations regarding her half-brother, Rudransh, Esha added, “I never involved a minor in my statements. What I shared was factual: I learned of a marriage that took place on February 6, 2013, and later discovered on August 25th of the same year that they had a child.”

She concluded her statement by adding, “This will be my final statement on this matter,” confirming that she would not be taking part in any further interviews.

The feud between Ganguly and Esha began earlier this year when the latter’s 2020 post, accusing Ganguly of inflicting physical, mental, verbal and emotional abuse on both her and her mum, went viral.

Rupali Ganguly has sent a Rs. 50-crore defamation notice to her stepdaughter, Esha Verma, following a series of allegations the latter made against her and her husband, Ashwin Verma, over the past week. 

Esha accused Rupali of interfering in her parents’ marriage and claimed the actress had physically assaulted her mother. She also alleged her father had been physically and emotionally abusive. In her latest Instagram video, Esha accused Rupali and Ashwin of bullying her and revealed that her father had asked her to take down her previous posts.

Elaborating on the defamation notice sent to Esha on Monday night, Rupali’s lawyer, Sana Raees Khan said, “We have issued a defamation notice to Esha in response to her false and damaging statements. Rupali is taking a firm stance against defamatory tactics and has decided to protect her reputation against unfounded claims. These baseless allegations were clearly aimed at harming Rupali’s reputation and exploiting her public standing. The accusations have caused significant emotional distress and unfairly tarnished her personal and professional image. If Esha does not issue a public apology and retract her posts immediately, we will proceed with legal action.”

Rupali married Ashwin in 2013, and they have a son, Rudransh. Ashwin has two daughters from his previous marriage, including 26-year-old Esha, who resides in New Jersey, USA, and claims her mother and Ashwin married in 1997 and separated in 2008.

On Tuesday afternoon, Rupali’s lawyer confirmed that Esha has taken down the defamatory posts following legal notice and deleted her X account. Sana said, “We see this as a meaningful step toward justice. This outcome reflects our victory for truth and accountability, reaffirming that reckless and harmful statements have no place in the public sphere. This sets a strong precedent on importance of responsible communication, especially when it concerns the reputation and dignity of others. However, we are awaiting her apology.”

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In the latest twist in the controversy between actor Rupali Ganguly and her stepdaughter Esha Verma, we have learnt that Rupali has sent a defamation notice to Esha. She is seeking a compensation of Rs. 50 crore. US-based Esha, via social media posts and interviews, had accused Rupali of having an affair with her father, businessperson Ashwin K Verma, while he was still married to her mother Sapna, and even administering substances to him. She has now made her Instagram account private.

Sana Raees Khan, Rupali’s lawyer, tells us, “We have issued a defamation notice to her stepdaughter in response to her false and damaging statements. Rupali firmly stands against the use of defamatory tactics for publicity and she has taken this legal step to protect her reputation from unfounded claims.”

The legal notice, a copy of which is in possession of HT City, states, among other things, that Rupali “always treated you well during your visits to India” and also “extended opportunities for you to break into the Indian entertainment industry.”

After breaking the news, we reached out to Esha. She chose not to reply, but put up an Instagram story soon afterwards — only to delete it later.

A 2020 Facebook post by Rupali Ganguly’s step-daughter, Esha Verma, resurfaced online two days ago, sparking a controversy. In the post, Esha had alleged that Rupali had an affair with her father, Ashwin K Verma (who the actress is currently married to) for 12 years, leading to his separation from her mother. The Anupamaa actress & Ashwin tied the knot in 2013 and have a son together.

Esha’s 2020 post read: “Does anyone know the real story of Rupali Ganguly? She has had an affair with Ashwin K Verma for 12 years while he was in his second marriage. Ashwin has two daughters from his previous marriages. She is nothing but a cruel-hearted woman who has done nothing but tried to separate me and my sister, his own daughters from their father.”

Reacting to the post which resurfaced, Ashwin put out a statement on X, which read, “I understand that my younger daughter still holds a lot of hurt about the dissolution of her parent’s relationship, as divorce is a difficult experience that can greatly affect and harm the children of that marriage.”

In his post, Ashwin added, “Marriages end for many reasons, and my relationship with my second wife had multiple challenges that led to our separation — challenges that were between she and I and that had nothing to do with any other person.”

Soon after this, on Monday, Esha, who is based in New Jersey, put out a statement saying that she stands by the claims she made in 2020. Excerpts from the post read, “This isn’t just a headline; it’s my life, my childhood, and the pain I endured then and still feel today. I’m choosing to stand by my experiences, because some truths need to be heard. Although I first spoke out about this four years ago, I’ve grown, matured and healed a lot since then.”

She added, “My father and his wife may deny these claims, but I believe their response is rooted in fear of the truth finally surfacing. I love my father deeply and idolized him, but he chose to exclude me from his life. Watching her rise in the entertainment world with a public image so far from reality has added to the hurt, especially as she plays a character who champions the values she disregarded in real life.”

When we reached out to Ashwin, he said that he has nothing more to say on the subject. Rupali did not comment till the time of going to press.

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On Sunday, a Reddit post went viral after a user shared snippets of an old Facebook comment made by Esha Verma, the daughter of businessman Ashwin K Verma. In the comment, Esha accused actor Rupali Ganguly of having an affair with her father while he was still married to her mother, describing Rupali as “cruel-hearted”. The post quickly made waves online, leading Ashwin to issue a statement on X denying the claims. In response, Esha posted on Instagram (see top right), saying, “There’s a darker side to this story... All I ask for is compassion as it unfolds.”

As we reach out to her, Esha reiterates, “My parents got married in 1997 and didn’t divorce till 2008. We have documentation to show that... Rupali has posed as if they (she and Ashwin) were friends and in love earlier than that. There are pictures of (Rupali) as an actor in the commercials my father directed. That’s where the affair began; he would film for three months at a time and come home (to New Jersey) for a short time. We didn’t know about it then, but Rupali pretty much knew about all of us.”

Ashwin and Rupali got married in 2013.

Esha’s post from 2021 with Rupali and Ashwin has also raised questions. The 26-year-old explains, “I posted that picture because I wanted to show he is my dad. He doesn’t acknowledge it; there are only pics of him with Rupali and their son on his account, but nowhere is a picture of me and my sister. They say they are a happy family, it’s like we are non existent.”

Esha wanted to keep contact with her father, but says, “Rupali threatened my mother. If I spoke to him on call, she’d scream in the background. She even cornered me when I went to visit him in Mumbai. She told me, ‘You will regret if you ever do this again or say you want your parents to meet’. I was always afraid to go to India and couldn’t stay longer than two days with him.”

The last message she got from her dad was a WhatsApp text telling her to take down the 2020 post, after which she deleted the app. She adds, “Rupali has no contact with me. The biggest risk is my father wouldn’t want me in his life at all, so it’s not much of a difference. I’m going to lose more than I gain from this. But this is my truth.”

We reached out to Rupali and her team for a reaction, but didn’t get a response till the time of going to press.

Anupamaa fans were in for a shock when rumours that actors Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna might quit the TV show surfaced online. While Khanna plays Anuj, Ganguly plays the titular character. Speculation around their exit started when an upcoming leap in the storyline involving actor Aurra Bhatnagar Badoni, who plays Anupama and Anuj’s daughter Aadhya, was confirmed.

However, a source close to the production tells us that “Rupali and Gaurav have no reason to leave the show”.

When we reached out to the show’s producer, Rajan Shahi, he denied the buzz, saying, “The reports are false. Both Rupali and Gaurav are very much a part of the show and their characters are integral to the story.”

Ask about the possible reason behind such reports, and Shahi responds, “I don’t know where these rumours come from.”

Actor Rupali Ganguly saw the superwoman in her mother, Rajani Ganguly, for the first time after passing the 10th standard.

“Mumma said she wanted to complete her studies. Since she didn’t come from a well-off background, she had to give up her studies. So, she completed her graduation when I was studying too. That made me see my mum in a completely different light and I felt so proud of her,” says Rupali.

Mention it to her mum and Rajani quips, “People would tease me that I didn’t have any college degree. So I got a BA degree to shut everyone’s mouth.” Interestingly, Rajani also had a connect with showbiz, as she worked with the late choreographer Saroj Khan.

“Saroj used to work with Sohanlal (choreographer) master, and I, too, was there. I would just watch her dance and she’d often ask me to join. I was working in the group with them, and Saroj would take me along with her for choreographies. I worked on the (actor) Aruna Irani song Ae Phansa from Bobby (1973). I also did a lot of stage shows as a Lavani dancer with composer Vasan Desai. In director Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Aashirwad (1968), I did a solo Lavani act with (actor) Leela Gandhi as well,” she shares.

However, after marriage, Rajani decided to become a homemaker. “I had a dream to reach a point in my life, but I couldn’t fulfil that. But both my kids (daughter Rupali and son, choreographer Vijay Ganguly) fulfilled that for me,” she gushes.

The proud mother credits her daughter for not letting the difficulties in the journey faze her. “Rupali never let us feel her struggles. I used to feel bad that she did such amazing work in shows like Sanjivani, Parvarish and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, still she never got an award. But today, every award is hers to take. People call me Rupali’s mum and that is enough for me. I have got everything I could have asked for,” Rajani says.

Rupali says, “My mom is a brilliant orator. She can give speeches effortlessly. She’d give speeches on women’s empowerment and a lot of it I imbibed for my character in Anupamaa.”

“Main bak-bak bahut karti hoon, aur Rupali bhi. I even asked my son-in-law once if there is someone writing all these great things she says, but he told me it’s all her.”

Rupali Ganguly has a soft corner for animals. She says taking care of fur babies keeps her sane. So even while shooting, amid her busy schedule, the Anupamaa actress ensures that strays on the set are fed and looked after.

“My work gives me the privilege to have people around me; they help me take care of the fur babies on set. We prepare food in my office and get it to the set. Ek balti bhar ke khana aata hai. It’s all about managing responsibilities effectively; if you want to do something, you find ways to do it. Caring for these animals is not just a part of my life; it is my life. It shapes my identity and makes me who I am,” she tells us.

Rupali is a firm advocate for adopting pets. She says, “Adopt, don’t shop. We have always picked up abandoned fur babies. I used to have seven at one point in time. Even now, when my Radha (her pet) passed away, I adopted Kachori, and then Samosa. These two have joined my Kishmish and Masti at my Ramnagar cottage. On my set, I have 14 babies. I can’t function without them around me; they keep me sane.”

The actress says instilling compassion for animals in children is crucial. “Some parents hesitate in letting their kids near dogs. They say, ‘Kaat lega, paas matt jana’. Par aise nahi hota hai. Bachchon ko animals se bhaagna matt sikhaiye. I let my son play with all the animals. He plays with stray dogs and cats. Mera bachcha squirrel utha kar le ataa hai, gaay ko gale lagata hai, he is an animal person. Every parent should teach their children to love and show kindness towards animals,” she adds.

Emphasizing the urgent need for stricter laws against animal cruelty, Rupali says, “A person who is cruel to animals is bound to have a twisted mentality. Unfortunately, our country lacks strict laws against animal cruelty. It is a pressing issue that needs immediate attention. We are still operating under outdated laws from the time of Independence, with mere Rs. 50 fines.”

Actor Rupali Ganguly has always been an animal lover and recently adopted an Indie dog at an adoptothon. “Other people had ambitions like buying clothes, jewellery or a house, for me, my goal was to earn enough to take care of and feed strays. Dogs are a blessing. I enrich my life by helping homeless animals,” shares Ganguly, who takes care of 15 dogs on the set of her TV show.

Instead of buying pedigree dogs, Ganguly urges people adopt Indie dogs and “give a home to an animal who needs it and discourage breeders”. She adds, “Pedigree dogs need special care. People abandon them when they can’t afford or don’t want to take care of them. They are also a status symbol for some people. Indies are intelligent and sturdy. I wish I could do something to bring about stricter animal cruelty laws in India.”

The new entrant in her family has been named her Kachori. “All my fur babies are named after food dishes in Hindi”, she says, adding, “I had a [dog named] Noodle, who I picked up from a garbage bin in 2013. We got Barfi home in 2010 after he was almost crushed by a bus. I went to the adoptothon to show my support but when I called my husband and son, Rudransh, to talk about Kachori, my son said, ‘Get the puppy no one wants’.”

Kandeel shopping is a tradition that Rupali Ganguly follows despite her busy schedule, she says, adding, “Time hota nahi hai, nikalna padta hai. I love following these traditions that have been ingrained in me since childhood. It is a tradition to go to Kandeel Galli to shop for Diwali. This market has been around for ages and is open till late night, which makes it convenient for people like us.”

Rupali adds, “The lanterns I buy for Diwali are bought from the same place each year and I prefer choosing the same design as well. Diwali is not about online shopping, it’s about the experience of going out and enjoying shopping for diyas, lanterns and rangoli in local markets. I also urge people to support locals and buy from them. I have bought lanterns for my house as well as for my brother, mother and friends.”

Talking about her fondest memories of Diwali, the actress says, “My earliest memories of Diwali are drawing rangolis outside the house and making farali (snacks) at home. My mother used to draw some of the most beautiful rangolis, which people would admire. She would also make karanji, shankarpada and besan ke laddoo at home. As a child, I would sneak in and eat the snacks while she was cooking. Spending time with loved ones is the highlight of Diwali for me.”

Rupali feels we should be mindful of the environment, elderly people and animals. She says, “Since I was a child, I have noticed how the loud sounds of firecrackers affect the elderly or people who are unwell. Even animals and birds get scared. I feel there is no need to burst crackers that make a lot of noise. If crackers are a must, we should buy ones that are noiseless. Diwali is a festival of lights, not noise. I give my son crackers after the puja that don’t make any sound.”

Rupali Ganguly, who is currently riding high on the success of her ongoing TV show Anupamaa, was in Gujarat recently for a quick trip.

She tells us, “I visited Mehsana for an event and it felt special because during the first episode of our show, we had Anupamaa (her character) going to the Modhera Sun Temple. I also wanted to visit Ambaji Temple for a long time and I am glad that I could do that on this visit.”

She adds, “I love coming to Gujarat and I have grown up with Gujarati neighbours. I have an insane obsession with Gujarati food, and I love dal dhokli, Gujarati dal, undhiyu, lapsi and churma ladoo. In fact, there are days when I crave Gujarati food in Mumbai and travel to Borivali to have Gujarati thali. I have also picked up the language quite well and playing a Gujarati character in Anupamaa has been a wonderful experience.”

Rupali, who took a seven-year break from showbiz before making a comeback with her current show, says that it was “much needed”. She shares, “I wanted to be a hands-on mother to Rudransh (her son) and it was a very conscious decision to give priority to enjoying my son’s childhood. When Anupamaa was offered, I accepted it because the role was fantastic. It was the first show to have a female protagonist in her 40s and I am delighted that it resonated with the audience. A mother’s emotion is universal, and the makers deserve credit for creating an iconic show. The fact that there have been people who have copied it is a compliment.”

Rupali, who says that her husband Ashwin K Verma “took a back seat” so that she could pursue her dreams, says that she often has “guilt trips for not spending enough time with my son.” She shares, “Including travel, I have 14-hour days every day and like any mother who steps out of the house for work, I sometimes feel guilty. But my only solace is that Rudransh has one parent to look after him and I feel proud when I say that my son is more attached to his father. We speak over video calls throughout the day and my production house has been very supportive.”

She adds, “We have set roles for everybody-the man has to be the breadwinner, while the woman is supposed to be the homemaker and take care of the kids. In our case, there has been a role reversal. My husband wanted me to achieve my dream and get my due as an actor. I am proud and blessed to have a supportive husband like him. He is my agony aunt, cushion, and my biggest critic. He pans me completely if I perform badly. When I had apprehensions about doing Sarabhai vs Sarabhai because I felt that I would make a fool of myself, he said I must try to do something different.”

I met my husband in 2000, the year when I made my TV debut. We were just friends then and while everybody looked down upon TV, he said that the medium has a great future. After I played a negative role in Sanjivani, he said I should wait for something different. When I was offered Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, I was scared about sharing screen space with Ratna Pathak Shah and Satish Shah. But he convinced me to take it up.

The Sarabhai vs Sarabhai cast is like family. We have a Sarabhai group, and everybody knows what’s going on in each other’s life. Like all viewers, I would also love to have another season. When we did season 2 in 2017 (Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2), Monisha (her character) Sahil (played by Sumeet Raghavan) ko chhod ke chali gayi thi. So, I feel there has to be a closure. Just like FRIENDS, we can have a special one-off episode; itna toh banta hai!

They met around two decades ago when they began shooting for the iconic sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. The show ended, but the friendship between the actors has only grown over the years. Recently, we caught up with Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rupali Ganguly and Rajesh Kumar during one of their impromptu meets and saw how much fun they have even today. “Our friendship was cooked on a slow burner, unlike today, when everything happens quickly and fast through social media and instant messaging,” they said.

As the four chatted over dinner at a suburban eatery, it was fun to hear them recount the good ol’ times. Ratna said, “I remember I had to share my make-up room with Rupali (who played Monisha) and the first thing I entered the room and saw was her bed with a pile of things. Being the tidy one, I wondered how I would share the room with her!”

Rupali responded, “She entered the room like a diva with two kapde ki thelis and my bed had a heap of things. I was petrified!” “Later, we got along really well and started trusting each other,” added Ratna.

Rupali spoke about how she was new to acting and both Rajesh and her used to get scared around the senior actors. She said, "I used to keep applying make-up and I remember Ratna ji saying that a lipstick will not help you act well and everyone used to bet on how many takes I would need to finish a scene (laughs)."

Rajesh added, "I remember a scene in which I had a one-page dialogue, I was fumbling and Satish ji finally walked out of the frame. Now, when I see that scene, I realize what a torture it was for him."

Rajesh, who still addresses Ratna as Momma, shared how they shot for the show in such a way that Satish Shah could leave at 6 pm. He said, “Satish ji was a senior actor and we would give him priority and shoot in such a way that he could go home at 6 pm. But soon, he started waiting for us.”

Rupali particularly recalls the flood situation in July 2005. “During those floods, I had to stay overnight at Satish ji’s home. I remember how he pulled out a T-shirt and short pants for me to wear at night and thankfully, his fridge was well-stocked with food,” said Rupali, who is currently seen playing the lead in Anupamaa.

Apart from these four, the Sarabhai gang also includes Sumeet Raghvan, producers Aatish Kapadia and J D Majethia and actor-director Deven Bhojani. Actress Vaibhavi Upadhyay, who passed away recently, was also a part of the show and the actors remembered her.

Talking about how their friendship has remained intact, Rajesh said, “We have remained together like a happy family even after the show ended. Even if we don’t talk with each other for 2-3 months, the bond is still the same. It is that kind of friendship where if one of us gets emotional, someone like Satish Shah cracks a joke and makes the situation light.”

Satish shared how their tiffin boxes would be a point of conversation on the set. He said, “Ratna would get these tiny boxes of food and as a vegetarian, she always insisted on everyone eating vegetarian food.” Ratna responded, “Rubbish! I never did that.” Satish continued, “My tiffin was shared by all because my wife used to cook plenty of food.”

While Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai wrapped up on TV in 2006, the second season aired on OTT in 2017. So, is there a third season in the offing? “We would love to have a third season, but that is best left to destiny. We are all in different spaces in life, but our bond continues to be as strong as it was then. The bond we share is real,” they say.

Television shows with the usual tropes of kitchen politics and supernatural elements have been tried, tested, and surprisingly worked. Breaking out of the mould three years ago was a show that was initially discouraged, but it stood the test of time. The Rupali Ganguly-starrer Anupamaa recently completed 1,000 episodes. Producer Rajan Shahi credits mother, Deepa Shahi, for the novel idea and for putting her mind and energy behind the daily soap at the age of 78.

Despite a background in psychology, Deepa chose to focus on her family. “We didn’t give much importance to our professions initially; family was our priority. The experiences from different stages of my life led me to believe that I should be a part of Anupamaa to contribute my insight to the story. That is how Rajan got me involved,” shares Deepa, adding that everyone believed “no one would be interested in the story of a 50-year-old woman and her life’s challenges.”

Oddly enough, they were all proven wrong, as the show became an instant hit with not only women but also men. “The idea resonated with me. I insisted that people become aware that women can achieve whatever they desire in life.”

Deepa says that the show also holds a mirror up to the men watching it and educates them about gender equality. “[Men] have come to realize that women hold immense importance and should not be confined to domestic roles alone. Men should support them in fulfilling their ambitions [domestic or otherwise] and give them the space to thrive.”

While no producer hopes to change the world with a show, Deepa was pleasantly surprised to find people relating to and aspiring for Anupamaa’s life. “I have observed that women [everywhere] are finding happiness with this show. Many of my friends have realised that regardless of their age or circumstances, they can achieve their dreams. A few have rekindled their passions,” shares the producer, who insisted that the show also talk about domestic violence and mental health.

“With Paakhi’s [played by Muskan Bamne] character [facing an obsessive lover], we aimed to talk about paying attention to every aspect of a child’s emotional growth. In India, people tend to prioritise physical well-being over mental health. It is essential to understand that mental health [ultimately] impacts the physical state.”

Glad to cross the 1,000-episode mark, Deepa says, “I’m glad to have been a part of this journey. Anupamaa still has challenges to overcome, but she will gradually draw strength from them and build resilience.”

My association with Nitesh [Pandey] began 26 years ago. Though we were not continuously in touch, we had a great bond. [He was] somebody I could always pick up from where we left. I had met Nitesh through some common friends at a time when I was struggling as a director, and he was trying to get into acting. We were very young — almost 25 or 26 at that time. He had come home for dinner, and we instantly hit it off. I found him to be nice, down-to-earth, full of positivity, and easy to connect with.

In 2011, when I was producing the show, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, which had Mohnish Behl and Kritika Kamra, I remember calling and telling him about a role that was tailor-made for him. The character was full of life, humble, and always smiling. We had a great time working together on the show.

Over the years, we got busy with our commitments. Recently, I called him again for the role of Dheeraj Kapoor in Anupamaa. I told him that he had to do it. Although he was busy, he agreed to do the cameo. On the first day of his shoot, I went specially to meet him; Rupali [Ganguly] and Gaurav [Khanna] were also there. We met, joked around, and spoke about our lives. He was in a good space [with respect to his career]. Our personalities are quite similar. Later, he messaged me, saying, “Whenever I have dates, I want you to include me in Anupamaa.” And that is exactly what we did.

He is one of the most professional senior actors who didn’t come with the baggage of being a star. I would often tell the youngsters on the set to [emulate] him. Despite spending years in the industry, he was so positive and was always nice to the unit. I told my directors, “When he comes on set, see how he’ll improvise and take the scene to a different level.”

His [performance] stood out because he was not in the rat race. He had his own USP as an actor. He [belonged to] the old school of professionalism. He [believed] in working hard on a character. Nitesh would never pick a role for the sake of doing it. Despite all these years, his hunger for roles, humility, and positive attitude remained consistent. The unit looked forward to working with him.

On May 7, Nitesh sent me a painting of a beautiful landscape, which is something he had never done before. That was my last interaction with him. His passing is a loss to the industry, and I will always remember his laughs.

Mourning the untimely death of her close friend and colleague Nitesh Pandey, Rupali Ganguly said, “He was the only industry friend who stayed constantly in touch with me during my sabbatical, apart from Delnaaz [Irani] and the cast of Sarabhai. He had come to meet me after Rudransh was born. His son, Aarav, is just a few months older than Rudransh. In fact, we had made plans to make our sons meet. We would bond over dogs [as] his wife Arpita is an animal care giver like me. He was so fiercely protective about me. When he came [on the set of] Anupamaa, it felt as if [I had my] bestie next to me at my work place.”