Anjum Fakih Explores Rural India In Chooriyan Chali Gaon, Calls It A ‘Return To Roots'
Anjum Fakih opened up about her journey in Chooriyan Chali Gaon and how the show brings her closer to her rural roots in Maharashtra.
Actress Anjum Fakih is ready to join the new reality show Chooriyan Chali Gaon, which puts city dwellers in the middle of rural India. The show's twist struck a chord with Anjum the moment she heard about it, and it made her feel extremely rooted.
The actress, who has appeared in hit Hindi serials, views this as something bigger than a television show. She feels it connects the dots between her present life in Mumbai and her humble beginnings in a small village in Maharashtra.
Anjum Fakih's Story Begins In Chiplun
According to The Times of India, Anjum said, 'I was born in Chiplun, Ratnagiri. We belong to the coastal belt of Maharashtra—simple, unassuming folks who eat fish, dal and rice."
Though born in rural India, her life diverged from that track when her family moved to Mumbai at the age of two. She said, 'My childhood and schooling took place completely in the city. We would go to our village only for summer holidays, and even then, we weren't permitted to do any work—it was purely a holiday."
This dichotomy between her origins and background then became an impetus for participating in the show. The experience provided her with something she hadn't previously done—live in a rural village to which she didn't belong.
A Cultural Immersion That Is New
'What interested Anjum most about the show was being able to immerse herself in a rural environment she wasn't used to," said the producers.
She continued, 'We just visited our village. I have not visited anyone else's village. India has numerous villages, and through this programme, I get to live, eat and develop relationships with people in one of those villages."
Her statement shows how eagerly she wants to go beyond her comfort zone and experience a way of life that's quite different from what she has been used to in the city.
In a world that is always proceeding towards modernity and Westernisation, Chooriyan Chali Gaon was a breath of fresh air for Anjum.
She stated, 'Internationally, we've had lots of reality shows, but none that transport people from urban areas to rural areas. It was new, it was fresh, it was earthy. At a point when everybody's racing to westernise, here we're returning to our roots. That was the attraction."
Anjum's experience on the show is not just fodder for the screen — it's an emotional journey back to simplicity. It's about testing a slower pace of life that's rooted deeply within Indian culture.
view comments
First Published:
August 06, 2025, 18:15 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
a minute ago
- India Today
Top films and shows to watch on JioHotstar this weekend
If you're planning to kick back and relax this weekend, JioHotstar has a power-packed lineup of crime documentaries, horror thrillers, action comedies, and fresh Indian releases to keep you entertained. From true crime cases that shook the world to food battles and outlandish sci-fi stories, here are the top films and shows to stream on JioHotstar this weekend (August 4–10 2025).advertisement1. Vina: Before 7 Days Genre - Horror/Thriller Streaming from: August 4 Based on a shocking true story, this 2024 Indonesian horror thriller (Vina: Sebelum 7 Hari) follows the haunting events surrounding the murder of Vina and Eky. Directed by Anggy Umbara and starring Nayla D. Purnama, Lydia Kandou, and Gisellma Firmansyah, the film blends emotional depth with chilling suspense.2. The Yogurt Shop MurdersGenre - True Crime/DocumentaryStreaming from: August 4 The American documentary revisits the infamous 1991 Austin yogurt shop killings. Directed by Margaret Brown, this mini-series explores the trauma, investigation, and unanswered questions behind one of the most haunting unsolved crimes in U.S. history. A must-watch for true-crime fans.3. India's Biggest Foodie Genre - Reality TV/Food CompetitionStreaming from: August 4 Hosted by Harsh Gujral, this newly launched Indian food challenge show brings together 100 food lovers from across the country to battle it out for the title of India's Biggest Foodie. Expect delicious dishes, fun moments, and fierce competition.4. Parandhu Po Genre - Musical Comedy (Tamil)Streaming from: August 5 A feel-good Tamil road musical comedy, Parandhu Po is written and directed by Ram. With Shiva and Mithul Ryan in the lead, and a strong supporting cast including Grace Antony, Anjali, and Vijay Yesudas, the film blends music, humour, and heartfelt storytelling. It was earlier screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam to positive reviews.5. Capturing Their Killer: The Girls on the High BridgeGenre - Crime/DocumentaryStreaming from: August 5 This powerful true-crime documentary follows the heartbreaking case of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, whose disappearance in Delphi, Indiana led to a five-year-long manhunt. The film dives deep into the investigation and its emotional toll on the community.6. Mickey 17 Genre - Sci-Fi/Black ComedyStreaming from: August 7 From acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho comes this futuristic sci-fi film based on Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. Starring Robert Pattinson, Mickey 17 explores the life of an 'Expendable' in a space colony - a worker who is cloned every time he dies. With a darkly humorous tone and top-tier cast, this one's a wild ride into the year 2054.7. Love Hurts Genre - Action/ComedyStreaming from: August 7 This action-packed comedy features Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, and Daniel Wu in a story about a hitman-turned-realtor whose past catches up with him when his own brother becomes his biggest threat. With wild action, humour, and chaos, Love Hurts delivers pure entertainment.- Ends
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a minute ago
- First Post
Anurag Basu's 'Metro In Dino' to stream on Netflix after its box-office success? Here's what we know
The mood of this film is sometimes sombre, but mostly bright. The simple stories of each relationship that we are aware of and weaving it all together are what make this film such a work of genius read more It was such a pleasure watching 'Metro…In Dino' at the peak of Mumbai's monsoons. The movie will truly bring back fond memories of each stage of your life. While watching this film, you will realise how cinema can help you in healing your relationships. And 'Metro…In Dino' does it in the best possible way with a warm hug. The mood of this film is sometimes sombre, but mostly bright. The simple stories of each relationship that we are aware of and weaving it all together are what make this film such a work of genius. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Now, after its commercial success, the film will stream on Netflix from August 29. Basu's 2020 anthology Ludo is already on the OTT giant. Indian film critic and Senior trade analyst Taran Adarsh adds on the steady growth of the movie, 'Metro…In Dino has managed to hold its ground remarkably well, especially given the tough box office environment and stiff competition from bigger titles. Despite the odds, the film has shown consistency through the weekdays and is headed for a promising second weekend. The footfalls are steady, and that says a lot. What's working is the relatability, Anurag Basu's storytelling has struck a chord. It's one of those rare films where audiences see their own stories unfold on screen.' Kamal Gianchandani, Chief Business Planning & Strategy at PVR INOX Limited, praised, 'Metro…In Dino has shown remarkable consistency at the box office. In a competitive landscape, it's encouraging to see audiences returning to cinemas for a film that's driven purely by strong storytelling and emotional depth. The growing happy footfalls at the theatres has increased the business at the box office, and underlines the demand for such well-crafted content. 'Metro…In Dino' is touted to be one of the successful movies of the year 2025. Bhushan Kumar and Anurag Basu have brought together a film that speaks to the urban audience in a relatable, heartfelt way.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a minute ago
- First Post
Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani's 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2' smashes records, enjoys 1.6 billion views across television and digital platform
With Kyunki back at 10:30 PM and setting new benchmarks, she has brought families back to their living rooms, reaffirming her legacy as the true architect of Indian fiction television read more Ekta Kapoor, the undisputed queen of content, has done what only she could, revive an entire era of Indian television with the powerful return of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The reboot of the iconic show has struck gold, pulling in a staggering 2.8 TVR on its premiere episode, making it the highest-rated Hindi GEC fiction launch in the last five years. But this isn't just the comeback of a show. It's the comeback of everything Indian audiences once loved about prime-time television, emotion, drama, tradition, and unforgettable storytelling. And at the heart of this revival stands Ekta Kapoor, whose instinct for what resonates with viewers remains as sharp and successful as ever. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In its launch week alone, Kyunki clocked an incredible 1.659 billion minutes of watch time, reaffirming its status as one of the most iconic properties in Indian entertainment. The launch episode alone was watched by 15.4 million viewers on Star Plus, with the show reaching 31.1 million on television in just the first four days, making it the biggest GEC fiction launch across both TV and streaming platforms in recent memory. The show has tapped into deep nostalgia while simultaneously capturing the attention of a whole new generation. Online, it generated over 17,300 mentions with an overwhelming 86% positive sentiment, fueled by emotional fan reactions, anticipation, and admiration for its ensemble cast. Ekta Kapoor has not only revived a legendary show, she's reignited prime-time television. With Kyunki back at 10:30 PM and setting new benchmarks, she has brought families back to their living rooms, reaffirming her legacy as the true architect of Indian fiction television.
