Latest news with #IttiSiKhushi
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Varun Badola on playing an alcoholic, unreliable father in Itti Si Khushi; says ‘I had to first forgive the character to play him on screen'
Actor Varun Badola is all set to make a powerful impact with his upcoming show Itti Si Khushi, even before its official launch. The recently released promo of the show has already struck a chord with viewers and industry peers for its sensitive portrayal of resilience and emotional complexities within a broken family. In Itti Si Khushi, Varun plays Suhas Divekar—a character that challenges the usual image of a father. Suhas is charming yet unreliable, loving yet emotionally absent. He drowns his guilt and pain in alcohol, complicating his relationships with his family. It's this deeply flawed but relatable character that intrigued Varun and tested his skills as an actor. Opening up about his process of portraying Suhas, Varun shared, 'If Suhas had been a straightforward character, just an alcoholic and good-for-nothing, it would've been easier to understand and portray. It's very easy to make such a character look like a villain. But the brief I received was very clear: no matter what he does or how he behaves, Suhas must remain lovable. That's where the complexity lies, and that's what made it so exciting. ' He further added, 'One wrong step and Suhas could easily come across as negative. To keep him endearing, you have to accept him as he is. And as an actor, somewhere deep inside, I had to forgive him first to play his character onscreen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo That's not easy.' Revealing the emotional struggle behind playing Suhas, Varun admitted, 'With every scene I read, there were moments I found myself disliking him, questioning his choices. And honestly, out of all the shows I've done, this is probably one of the most challenging roles I've taken up.' Concluding his thoughts, Varun said, 'Suhas is a beautifully written character, and I truly hope I do justice to the role.'
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Varun Badola: I thought if not flooded, I'd at least be offered something meaningful after Mere Dad Ki Dulhan
Varun Badola It is not uncommon for seasoned actors to find themselves in a lull between meaningful roles. This is something Varun Badola did not quite anticipate after his stint with Mere Dad Ki Dulhan (MDKD). Returning to television after almost five years with Itti Si Khushi, the actor reflects on the surprising silence that followed. He admits, 'Honestly, there hasn't been a big role offer in the last five years. Every new show is a gamble. Everyone tries to make a good show, but sometimes you have to be lucky to get an MDKD. I really thought I would be flooded with offers afterward or at least get something meaningful. But no, it didn't happen that way. And so, here we are, five years later.' Varun's reluctance to settle for anything less than substantial was key to his decision to take up Itti Si Khushi. He shares, 'From an actor's point of view, the biggest draw is the level of difficulty in the character. It is not straightforward. That's what I always look for.' Is it age, experience, or increased selectivity that makes roles harder to come by? He replies, 'It is a combination of all the above, or maybe even more. MDKD was a risk. People usually avoid going salt and pepper on television. And to top that, they asked me to look as shabby as possible. I said, 'Perfect, that's how I want to do it'. This new character also requires me to go salt and pepper and look unkempt. I guess the start is fine (smiles). ' On the industry's obsession with gloss, Varun has a clear perspective. He says, 'There is a belief that everything we make should look glossy. But if you are portraying someone from the lower middle class, it cannot be glamorous. If you are playing one of those characters, you had better look the part.' Though often seen in grounded, realistic roles, he does not feel boxed in. He says, 'I don't think I am getting stereotyped. The characters are different from each other. What binds them is honesty. Being real has always helped the character connect with the audience. Because these shows are not like stories where a family business is worth `500 crores and yet everyone is sitting at home. Not that I have anything against such shows. Some of them do work.' And will he be comfortable being part of one of those glossy, grand shows? He replies, 'No one has ever asked me about it. Let us leave it at that. Whether I would say yes or not is a different story, but no one has asked.'
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sumbul Touqeer Khan overwhelmed as industry friends shower praise on her new show Itti Si Khushi; says ‘Feels like family'
Sumbul Touqeer Khan's television comeback with Itti Si Khushi has not only captivated fans but also touched the hearts of her industry colleagues. Known for her soulful performances, Sumbul steps into the role of Anvita Divekar, the responsible eldest sibling in a family of six, whose love and strength bind her family together. Soon after the promo dropped, Sumbul's social media was flooded with praises from fellow actors. Vishal Jethwa kept it simple yet strong, posting, 'Sumbul.' Ulka Gupta, visibly impressed, commented, 'Wowww just Wowwwe @sumbul_touqeer.' Actor Prit Kamani shared his excitement, writing, 'This is so so good @sumbul_touqeer.' Kanika Mann expressed her admiration by saying, 'You perform so well.' Ashnoor Kaur added to the warm wishes with her message, 'Congratulations @sumbul_touqeer onwards & upwards!!' Nimrit Ahluwalia blessed the actress with her note: 'God bless you.' Adrija Roy joined in, commenting affectionately, 'Sumbullllllllllllll.' Other known faces like Manasvi Vashisht, Mudit Nayyar, Riya Sharma, Kanwar Dhillon, Mishkat Verma, and Aneri Vajani also poured in their heartfelt wishes and encouragement. Reacting to all the love coming her way, Sumbul shared, 'I feel truly overwhelmed and grateful seeing the love and support my friends from the industry have shown for my new work, Itti Si Khushi. Their kind words and support mean the world to me. It's heartwarming to know that people I've worked with or grown alongside in this journey are cheering me on so genuinely. This show is very close to my heart, and their encouragement has only made this new beginning even more special. Thank you for standing by me; it truly feels like family.' With Sumbul, Varun Badola, Rajat Verma, and Rishi Saxena leading the cast, Itti Si Khushi promises to be an emotional journey that's already winning hearts even before its launch.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Itti Si Khushi: Rishi Saxena joins the cast; to play the role of a cop and Anvita's silent lover
Television drama Itti Si Khushi continues to capture viewers' attention with its simple yet heartfelt storytelling. Headlined by Sumbul Touqueer Khan as Anvita Divekar, Varun Badola as Suhas Divekar, and Rajat Verma as Virat, the show now welcomes actor Rishi Saxena to its ensemble. Saxena plays Sanjay , a sharp-witted yet emotionally restrained cop whose entry adds layers of complexity to the narrative. Sanjay is introduced as Anvita's childhood friend and former neighbour—someone who has silently been her emotional anchor for years. His unspoken love for Anvita becomes a significant subplot, as he continues to stand by her side, even knowing that his feelings might remain unreciprocated. Speaking about his role, Rishi Saxena shares, 'I'm really excited to be a part of Itti Si Khushi because it's the kind of story that feels honest, full of small moments that say a lot. Sanjay is the kind of guy who doesn't say much but is always there when it actually counts.' Explaining his character further, he adds, 'What I am really excited about is that he isn't trying to be a hero, he's just a man who cares and understands the most appropriate dynamic of Anvita. His feelings for Anvita are clear, but he knows she may not feel the same. That space, between hope and acceptance, much like our real life, is what makes him real for me.' With Saxena's entry, Itti Si Khushi promises a more nuanced exploration of silent love and emotional resilience, keeping viewers hooked to see how Sanjay's understated presence will shape Anvita's journey ahead.
News18
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sumbul Touqeer On Returning To TV With Itti Si Khushi: 'I'm Back To My Home'
Last Updated: Sumbul Touqeer returns to TV with "Itti Si Khushi," playing Anvita Diwekar, a young caregiver. Television favourite Sumbul Touqeer is all set to return to the small screen with a brand-new drama, Itti Si Khushi. The young actress is stepping back into the spotlight with a story that she says is deeply personal and emotionally powerful. In Itti Si Khushi, Sumbul will portray Anvita Diwekar, a young woman who finds herself thrust into the role of a caregiver following the untimely death of her mother. With her father struggling with alcoholism, Anvita becomes the emotional and practical anchor for her younger siblings. She quietly takes charge of the family while facing her own internal battles. Speaking to IANS about her new role and return to fiction television, Sumbul shared her enthusiasm, 'I'm so happy to finally share the first look of Itti Si Khushi with everyone. I've been waiting for so long to come back with something that truly feels right, and I know my fans have been waiting too. So here I am—back to my home, doing what I love the most." Reflecting on the character of Anvita, Sumbul added, 'Playing Anvita has been a beautiful experience. She's the kind of girl who holds her entire family together, quietly taking on every responsibility with so much love and strength. She's someone who finds power in her pain and grace even in her toughest moments." The show's promo, which was recently filmed in Mumbai, has captured the city's essence and the emotional tone of the series. Sumbul said, 'Shooting the promo was really special—we recreated a true Mumbai vibe, and working with my co-stars Rajat Verma and Varun Sir made it even more memorable. Anvita's story is very close to my heart, and I hope people connect with her the way I have." Sumbul Touqeer rose to fame with her lead role as Imlie Chaturvedi Rathore in Imlie and later gained further recognition for playing IAS officer Kavya Bansal Pradhan in Kavya – Ek Jazbaa, Ek Junoon. Her performances have earned her nominations at prestigious award platforms, including the Indian Television Academy Awards and the Indian Telly Awards. In 2022, Sumbul appeared as a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss 16 on Colors TV, where she finished in 7th place. 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.
