Akshun Mahajan on doing 'Manpasand Ki Shaadi': Rajshri heroes have always been the OG green flags, so, saying yes to the show was a no-brainer for me
Sooraj Barjatya
's new TV show, Manpasand Ki Shaadi is thrilled to be a part of the show. The actor plays the role of Abhishek in the show and has been paired opposite Esha Suryawanshi.
Recently, the actor spoke about his new show, the reason behind saying yes to Manpasand Ki Shaadi, preparation for the role and his bond with his co-stars.
Tell us about the show
While the world is obsessed with the binary of love marriage vs. arranged marriage, this show introduces a refreshing, third kind: the manpasand marriage — a match made by choice, compatibility, and consent, with the family still in the frame. Wrapped in the iconic Rajshri universe of pyaar, pariwaar, parampara, this show brings Sooraj Barjatya's cinematic legacy to television.
Set in Indore, Manpasand Ki Shaadi follows Aarohi, a well-educated marathi mulgi from a humble cowshed — running family where women are encouraged to dream and Abhishek, the entitled heir to a masala empire, raised in a patriarchal home .
Their match is not made by elders, nor is it an act of rebellion. It's a conscious choice by two people who decide to love and navigate the chaos that follows together. This isn't just about choosing the one. It's about knowing them, convincing families, and building a marriage that respects both personal freedom and family bonds. The idea is not to rebel against tradition but to redefine it. Manpasand Ki Shaadi combines mutual respect between generations, personal preference without conflict, and love that includes but isn't dictated by family. The story sways between the hopes and storms of making, a manpasand marriage work, while asking — does choosing your 'manpasand' come at a price too heavy for the heart to bear?
Tell us about your character.
Abhishek Dewaan is the kind of guy who walks into a room like it's a movie set and for most of his life, the world has played along.
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He's 24, heir to Indore's biggest masala empire, raised in a patriarchal home where tradition reigns. He's charming, spoiled, full of swag and his heart is in the right place. He's the Rajshri hero for a new generation. My character is like Prem but with a modern spin; he even gets the Sooraj Barjatya-style treatment in the show: signature background score, slo-mo entries, and that unmistakable hero glow.
And just like the classic Rajshri men before him, he's a green flag in the making, but you just must stick around to watch him earn it.
Because beneath that confidence is a boy who's never faced failure, heartbreak, or even real-world consequences. But then comes Aarohi. She sees the bubble he lives in and slowly, she starts to burst it. For the first time, Abhishek is forced to ask what if being cool is about being worthy? His journey is full of friction, awkward realisations, and emotional rewiring. Watching him evolve from entitled to emotionally available, from self-absorbed to self-aware, is what makes him such a compelling character.
He starts off as the guy you roll your eyes at but by the end, you just might fall for him.
What motivated you to take up the show?
Sooraj Barjatya is the legend, who gave us pyaar, parivaar aur parampara in the most iconic way. Who wouldn't want to be part of that legacy?! Debuting under the banner is such an honour. But beyond the grandeur and the visual beauty that Rajshri is known for, what really drew me in is how socially relevant the story is. It talks about real issues, things that people like you and me face every day.
Manpasand Ki Shaadi is not your typical 'love marriage' or 'arrange marriage' it's a new kind of marriage based on choice, not compulsion, and that really spoke to me.
When I read the script, I felt I had the chance to be part of something that's not just entertaining, but culturally relevant. Also, let's not forget Rajshri heroes have always been the OG green flags. They respect women and family, and carry kindness. That's the kind of man I'd want to watch on screen.
So, saying yes to the show was a no-brainer for me.
How did you prepare for your role in the show?
Honestly, it didn't feel like 'preparation' in the textbook sense. It felt like discovery. To get into Abhishek's head, I had to constantly ask why he behaved the way he does. What makes him entitled to think that the world owes him everything? And when you dig deeper, you realise that it's not because he is evil or selfish. It's just how he has been raised. He comes from a family where emotions aren't discussed, and image is everything.
So, yeah, he's flawed, but not beyond redemption. He's not a bad guy because he just did not struggle. . He's never been pushed out of his comfort zone until Aarohi walks in. For me, the challenge and the thrill were in slowly peeling back those layers from the overconfident, fun-loving guy to the one who starts questioning everything he's ever believed in. What causes him to change is not grand or theatrical. His ego doesn't break all at once, it slowly cracks through quiet, uneasy moments.
That's when he starts to feel, not just react. Noticing those small shifts made playing Abhishek such a beautiful journey.
What kind of bond do you share with your co-actors?
Amazing doesn't even begin to cover it. Esha is so talented, I was genuinely blown away the first time I saw her in character. She just has this natural ease in front of the camera, and there's such honesty in the way she performs. What made it even more special is that we're both making our TV debuts with this show, so there was this instant connection of 'we're in this together,' and that really helped us bond from day one.
Whether it's rehearsing lines, discussing scenes, or just talking through nerves before an emotional shot, we've got each other's back.
And I think that comfort off-screen has really translated into our chemistry on screen. And it's not just Esha; the entire team has been super supportive. From our directors to the DOP, the spot dadas to the makeup team, everyone makes sure we feel at home. It never felt like we were the 'newbies' on set.
There's so much warmth and positivity around us that even on long or difficult days, you're just happy to show up and give your best.
How was your experience of shooting the show in Indore so far?
Indore has honestly taken me by surprise, in the best way. There's something so comforting about the city. I remember on our day off we got to explore the local culture, try delicious street food like bhutte ka kees, malpua and visit beautiful places like Khajrana Ganesh Mandir, Rajwada, Chappan Dukan, and Sarafa Bazaar.
It felt like stepping straight into Aarohi and Abhishek's world. We even shot in some local lanes and spots, and just being surrounded by real people and real places gave everything this extra layer of authenticity.
What I really loved about Indore was how it's a beautiful mix of tradition and modernity that fits the show so well.
In your opinion, how is a 'manpasand marriage' different from love or arranged marriages?
From what I've experienced so far while shooting manpasand, marriage is where you choose your partner freely, and your parents are fully aligned with your decision.
It's about mutual choice and consent, while keeping family blessings intact. It's neither purely love marriage or arranged marriage — it's somewhere beautifully in between. But to truly understand it, you'll have to watch the show along with me on Colors from Monday to Friday at 10pm.
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What is your message to the viewers?
If you've ever believed in choosing love on your own terms—without turning your back on your family—this show is for you. We have put our heart and soul into this show bringing characters to life and we hope to become your manpasand with the success of this show.
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