Exclusive - Paras Kalnawat on his tough phase post his sudden exit from Anupamaa; says 'A lot of people warned me that I was taking a big risk...'
In an exclusive conversation with Times of India TV, the actor opened up about joining the show after the generational shift, the responsibility of keeping up with the show's TRPs, and the complexities of his new character. Paras also spoke about his sudden exit from Anupamaa and the challenging phase that followed.
How does it feel to be back with a new show and a new character?
Honestly, it feels like I've come back home as I've worked previously with both the channel and the production house.
They are very close to my heart because I've had some great memories with them in the past. This comeback feels emotional and exciting at the same time. After finishing my last show, I took my longest break ever — almost eight months. It gave me time to rest and think. And now, stepping into the role of Aditya feels just right.
This show has been running for a long time and is loved by so many people. I feel lucky to be a part of it.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn
IC Markets
Đăng ký
Undo
The show is taking a 20-year leap. That's a big change. Do you feel any pressure joining now?
Every actor feels some pressure to do well, but for me, this feels like a great opportunity. It's rare to get a chance to enter a popular show that's already doing so well. Yes, people will have expectations, but I always give my full effort. I'm not scared — I'm excited. This is a fresh start for me, and I'm giving it everything I've got.
Tell us about Aditya. How is he different from the roles you've played before?
Aditya is very different from my past roles. He's confident, stylish, and doesn't believe in love — which is new for me.
Usually, I've played sweet and romantic characters, but Aditya has a more serious side. He's gone through heartbreak, and you'll see that pain in his eyes. What I love about him is that he's not one-dimensional, he's layered, emotional, and has a strong story. This role is very special to me and I think it will help me grow as an actor.
Did any actor or character inspire you while preparing for this role?
Romantic and emotional roles have always been my favorite. And when it comes to showing heartbreak and love, Shah Rukh Khan is my biggest inspiration.
The way he expresses emotions is just magical. I know it's not easy to match that, but I try to bring my own version of that depth into my performance.
Couple years ago, you faced a difficult time when you were asked to leave the show mid-way, but you did not give-up. You believed in yourself even when others doubted you. Can you talk more about that phase?
Yes, I've always believed that if you follow the truth and stay honest, the universe supports you. That's what happened to me too. A lot of people warned me that I was taking a big risk and that things might not work out. But I told them, their story isn't mine. My path could be different.
Luckily, I got a chance to prove myself. Not everyone gets that opportunity. And if I hadn't, maybe I would've felt sad. But with God's blessings and all the love I've received, I've been able to show what I can do and for that, I'm truly thankful.
Did you ever feel self-doubt during this time?
Not at all. I was clear about what I was doing. Even when my family had concerns about why I suddenly had to leave the show, I told them — I want to do what's right, not just what's big. And they trust me.
That trust gives me strength.
What about OTT shows? Are you interested in working on that platform?
Definitely. OTT has opened so many doors for actors. Earlier, TV actors weren't always considered for such roles, but now that has changed. People are now looking for good actors, no matter where they come from. I did get OTT offers during my break, but back then I wasn't mentally ready. Now, I feel prepared. Right now, my full focus is on. But yes, I'm open to exploring OTT in the future.
Paras Kalnawat on Kundali Bhagya, tough phase after Anupamaa & getting praises from KJo & Nora
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
7 minutes ago
- Hans India
Yash Soni starrer road trip drama 'Mithada Maheman' to premiere on August 14
Mumbai: Emotionally layered Gujarati drama "Mithada Maheman" is set for a digital world premiere on ShemarooMe on August 14, coinciding with Independence Day weekend. Helmed by Chinmay Parmar, "Mithada Maheman" shares the tale of four individuals who end up crossing paths by the hand of fate. Their lives are transformed through kindness, empathy, and acceptance of one another. The show focuses on Aditya (Played by Yash Soni), a young man fighting his own emotional battles. As he is on the verge of giving up on everything, he meets Hari (Played by Mihir Nishith Rajda), a warm-hearted taxi driver who takes him on an unplanned road trip, which eventually becomes his ultimate path to healing. Aditya and Hari are soon joined by two others —Komal (Played by Aarohi Patel), whose grounded presence provides emotional clarity, and Jay (Played by Mitra Gadhavi), whose humour masks a quieter pain. Travelling through hill stations, highways, and tea stalls, these four undergo a steady emotional transformation. Shedding light on his role, Yash shared: 'Aditya isn't a loud or dramatic character; his pain is internal and hard to explain. That's what made him feel so real to me. Playing this role reminded me that sometimes we don't need to fix people, we just need to sit with them, without judgment." He shared that "Mithada Maheman" is about those silent moments of understanding and small acts of care. "I'm grateful to be part of a film that approaches such a delicate subject with honesty and warmth. I believe a lot of people will see themselves in Aditya, or in the people who walk beside him on this journey," Yash added. The drama talks about the uncomfortable truth that sometimes, it's not family, but strangers who see you most clearly. "Mithada Maheman" is expected to premiere on ShemarooMe from 14th August this year.
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hysilens best teams and builds in Honkai Star Rail
Image via: HoYoverse Hysilens is the latest Nihility-style DoT powerhouse in Honkai: Star Rail. She thrives on combos where endless attacks coupled with debuffs keep the enemy under constant pressure. This means that depending on her kit build and the allies paired with her, Hysilens can be turned into one of the deadliest DPS enablers ever. Core Build: Light Cones, Relics & Stats For Light Cones, Why Does the Ocean Sing is hands down the best choice, granting Effect Hit Rate, DoT damage, and team speed for fast rotations. Reforged Remembrance will render Hysilens much more effective in terms of breaking down enemy defences whilst stacking ATK and Effect Hit Rate. If for something, we are short of the expensive end of options, then we can take advantage of Patience Is All You Need or Those Many Springs. Free-to-play players should be fine sticking to Solitary Healing or Eyes of the Prey for DoT scaling. The 4-piece Prisoner in Deep Confinement relic set stays non-negotiable, bestowing ATK% and DEF ignore on DoT damage. For Planar Ornaments, choose Revelry by the Sea to focus on maximizing DoT damage, or Pan-Cosmic Commercial Enterprise for a broader hybrid boost of ATK and Effect Hit Rate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tinnitus Keeps You Up at Night? Try Sleeping Like This Derila Ergo Undo If speed concerns arise, then Space Sealing Station is the most reliable fallback. Stat priority leans toward Effect Hit Rate and Speed. Recommended main stats: Body: Effect Hit Rate or ATK% Feet: SPD Sphere: ATK% Rope: Energy Regeneration Rate or ATK% Substats should complement SPD, Effect Hit Rate, and ATK% to allow smooth rotations even with several of them and simultaneous application of debuffs. The BEST Hysilens Teams in Honkai Star Rail! Best Team Compositions 1. Hysilens + Kafka + Black Swan + Huohuo This basically returns to DoT's golden age. Kafka detonates DoT nearly every turn, Black Swan boosts DoT effects and lowers DEF of enemies, and Hysilens applies loads of debuffs generating massive cumulative damage. Huohuo sustains the team and buffs ATK and Energy regeneration. 2. Hysilens + Kafka + Cipher + Hyacine More modernized though: Cipher does not apply DoT but excels at making enemies take more damage and frequently attacking to trigger more passive effects. Hyacine is a hybrid healer-attacker who chases steady DoT procs with her attacks. 3. F2P Core-Hysilens + Kafka + Asta + Gepard Cheap and of synergy. Asta increases SPD and ATK and inflicts Burning; Gepard works while providing shields and burning enemies with the right Light Cone. Easy is less optimal, but just fine to complete most content. A COMPLETE Guide to Hysilens! | Best Builds, Relics, Teams Eidolon Power Spikes Hysilens works fine at E0, but some Eidolons really amp her value: E1 adds extra stacks of Wind Shear, Bleed, Burn, and Shock for more consistent layers of DoT. E4 decreases all-type RES for enemies in her Zone, empowering the whole team's DPS gain substantially. E6 drastically improves her Physical DoT cap and damage multiplier, literally making her the monstrous endgame carry. Hysilens is not merely a new DoT unit but is the DoT catalyst for revival in Honkai: Star Rail. Whether bringing back old DoT favorites such as Kafka and Black Swan or leading new hybrid comps, in essence, her ability to use debuffs and benefit from constant attacks makes her a definite build for Nihility fans. With the right Light Cone, relic set, and a fast-hitting team to keep going, she will keep them bleeding, burning, and breaking until there's nothing left. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Junior's OTT release: Find out where and when the Kireeti Reddy-Sreeleela starrer is likely to stream online—Report
Picture Credit: X The Telugu action-drama 'Junior,' which marked the big-screen debut of Kireeti Reddy , son of mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy, seems to be getting a digital release. Directed by Radha Krishna Reddy, the film pairs the newcomer with young star Sreeleela in the female lead role. It also marks the return of Genelia Deshmukh to Telugu cinema after several years. OTT details According to a report by 123Telugu, 'Junior' is likely to make its OTT debut on Amazon Prime Video on August 15, 2025. While there's no official confirmation yet, it is suggested that the streaming deal is in place, and the film might drop in multiple languages, including Kannada and Telugu, with possible dubs in other Indian languages. Box office collection Released on Jul 18, 'Junior' managed to net Rs 7.65 crore in India and gross Rs 9.5 crore worldwide, as per data from trade analyst Sacnilk. The film drew decent footfalls from mass audiences, thanks to its action sequences and high-energy dance numbers, but struggled to hold universal appeal due to its predictable storyline. Early Twitter reviews Twitter reviews at the time of the release suggested mixed opinions. Several viewers praised Kireeti's confidence and dancing skills in the film, calling his debut a fair representation of the debutant in the first half. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Will Happen to Your Body If You Start Eating 3 Eggs Every Day? Undo Nonetheless, some felt that the story wasn't anything new and that its treatment and narrative construction felt outdated. Despite the predictable plot, certain performances stood out. Sreeleela was widely appreciated for bringing her trademark energy and charm to the screen, especially in the first half. Her dance numbers were singled out as major crowd-pullers. Genelia Deshmukh, stepping back into Telugu films after a long hiatus, was also appreciated by fans. The supporting cast included veteran actors like V. Ravi Chandran, Rao Ramesh, Sudharani, Achyut Rao, Satya, and Viva Harsha. The music of the film was composed by Devi Sri Prasad.
