Shakti Anand calls Mahadev & Sons his ‘Animal’, reacts to revolution of TV from kitchen poltics to…, comments on success of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2

Actor Shakti Anand, known for playing Hemant Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, hosting the iconic Crime Patrol and now reprising his role in Kyunki 2, is now also leading another family drama, Mahadev & Sons. The new series is a rarity as it conveys the plot from the male perspective. As the show premieres on Colors, Shakti joins DNA India for an exclusive conversation.

Q: Mahadev & Sons is a rare television show, especially since it is a male-led show. How did you see this opportunity as a key lead?

A: Honestly, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Jab mujhe June-July show me pata chala, I was really happy. I was told from the very beginning that I was their first choice. At the same time there was controversy around Kyunki and since it was the same publisher the understanding was clear; We will adjust things when necessary. It would be foolish to give up on such a show. I was told very clearly that this show was to me what Animal was to Ranbir Kapoor; It’s a completely male-focused, faith-filled narrative. Aur sach bolun, kaun Animal jaisi opportunity chhodta hai? As an actor, I was very excited and said yes immediately.

Question: For decades, television was largely female-focused; saas-bahu serials and house politics. Shows like this are still rare. How do you see this change?

A: You are absolutely right. Since the mid-90s, television has been dominated by culinary politics: saas, bahu, nanad, devrani-jethani, daal mein paani ka glass, petrol nikaalna, khali cooker chadana wohi sab. Humne yeh hello dekha hai saalon tak. In such an environment, when a series that looks at life from a male perspective and has a down-to-earth storytelling emerges, it naturally stands out. I feel really lucky to be a part of a show like this because these types of narratives are still not attempted very often on television.

Question: How do you view this phase now as an actor? Do you think this is an exciting time, especially with changing content sensibilities?

A: I think it’s a great time for actors, especially young and up-and-coming actors. This is the first time I’ve done something like this, even for myself. A rural setting, a real struggle, understated emotions – yahaan hero aankhon se kam aur apni zindagi se zyada baat karta hai. You play someone from a very humble background, an orphan, parentless, underprivileged, who eventually becomes a successful businessman. OTT ke aane ke baad, such stories have become mainstream. Otherwise, in the 80s and 90s these were subjects reserved for parallel cinema; Actors like Naseer sahab, Om Puri ji, people from NSD. Aaj Panchayat jaise shows the heroes their slippers, simple kapdons in the hands of the heroes and this is a big change.

Question: In the past, the idea of ​​a “hero” was very fixed.

A: Bilkul. My hero of the early 2000s is ka matlab tha — stylish, clean-shaven, abs-shaped chahiye, additional set image honi chahiye. Aaj stubble hai, messy hair hai, phir bhi hero hai. Yeh shift sirf audience ka nahi hai, actors ke liye bhi ek bilkul naya kind open karta hai.

Question: There is a broader societal sentiment that we do not adequately celebrate the contributions of men, particularly fathers. Do you think Mahadev & Sons addresses this gap?

A: Yeh narrative kaafi purana hai. I watch movies on TV, my father ko ya toh thief dikhaya gaya, ya drunk – jo kuch nahi karta. Maa hamesha sacrifice ki moorat hoti hai. Yeh ek long-standing storytelling pattern raha hai. But now things are changing. No writers aa rahe hain, no perspectives aa rahe hain. Ab hum sirf bungalows aur glamor limited nahi hain gets – rural stories discover essential facts bhi ho rahi hain.

“Mere pass maa hai”, ke izleh-saath “Mere pass baap hai” bhi equally important hai. Baba strict ho sakta hai, lekin woh pyaar bhi karta hai – bas alag tareeke se. Obedience and honesty in the beech tree and father-son conflict in the beech tree, Mahadev & Sons portray karta hai honestly.

Q: You often talk about a paradigm shift in content. Do you think audiences are ready for this change?

A: Bilkul. Main ek chhota sa incident karta hoon sharing. Hamare dhobi ne ek din mujhse poocha, “Yeh kaunsa character hai jo aap kar rahe ho?” He told me that he watched the show because of “yeh hamari kahaani lagti hai”. That’s when it really hit me that a change was happening. Aaj ek aadmi remote utha ke apna show dekh sakta hai, kyunki usko apni zindagi screen pe dikh rahi hai — apna father, apna uncle, apni world.

Question: Finally, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has crossed over 160 episodes and received a strong response from the viewers. How do you view this reception? Were there any doubts about the audience’s acceptance of the show?

A: Mujhe shuru se hi yakeen tha ki Kyunki 2 jabhi aayega, chalega, because it’s deeply relatable. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, TV ke history mein iska naam me likha jaayega in golden letters. Nostalgia is a very powerful emotion. But at the same time, today’s audiences want honesty and relevance. Agar emotion ke Saath improved storytelling ho, toh magic and aaj bhi ho sakta hai. Hats off to Ekta Kapoor who is convinced that ki chahe jisko bhi saamne le aao, bhale 20 saal kyu na ho jaye ek kahani ko, but main yeh show la rahi hoon and yeh chalega salam. It’s a very exciting phase to be a part of television – jahaan legacy bhi hai aur evolution bhi. And frankly, this balance excites me the most.