Latest news with #Shabir
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shabir Ahluwalia: Flaunting your seniority on a set never helps
Shabir Ahluwalia Shabir Ahluwalia trades his trademark intensity for laughter in the family rom‑com Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil, taking on his first show built entirely around comedy. He says 'I'd call comedy one of the toughest genres, yet it feels natural to me. Yug lives in a delightfully mad world—two feuding families, a love story, and situations that create humour rather than forced gags.' In the show, he is paired opposite the much younger Ashi Singh . Given the age gap and his stature in the industry, Shabir believes building comfort and chemistry on set is essential, but not difficult. He says, 'Ashi is a very chilled girl. The moment you crack a joke, share a few laughs and a few hi-fis, you're on the same level. Eventually, it's Yug and Shivani, not Shabir and Ashi. On set, what matters is the characters, not the real people. Transitioning into character is key.' He also feels that hierarchy and seniority have no place in a healthy set environment. He says, 'I like to keep everyone happy on the set and don't believe in flaunting my seniority. I don't mind them cracking jokes with or on me — I do the same with them. It works both ways. It's great to have a level playing field where everyone is at ease because one character alone can't carry a show. It's the collective effort that makes it work. And that happens only when everyone is happy. If there are differences or conflicts, they will reflect in the scene, especially when a scene demands chemistry. Interpersonal relationships matter.' He adds, 'Nowhere in those scenes will the age difference, seniority, experience, or popularity show. What ultimately matters is how well you perform in a scene. So, flaunting seniority on a set never helps.' As someone who's seen both success and the pressure that comes with expectations, Shabir is clear on what he chooses to focus on. 'Of course, I want my show to work. But I don't take pressure, because it's not in my hands. I worry about the variables I can control — like whether I'm supposed to gel my hair or how to deliver a dialogue. I focus on what's in my control and stay hopeful about what isn't,' he concludes.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive! Substandard concepts will not be consumed by viewers, says Shabir Ahluwalia
Shabir Ahluwalia Actor Shabir Ahluwalia, currently seen in the show Uff Ye Love Hai Mushkil, opened up about his 25-year journey in the entertainment industry. He revealed that time raced by so quickly he 'didn't really realize how it flew,' insisting it felt more like living a dream than slogging through a career. In an exclusive conversation, he reflected on career highs, family life, and why he stays picky about scripts. Excerpts… Shabir says that it feels like anything but 25 years in the industry. 'Because you know when you are working and you don't really realize how time flies by and it just feels like a dream. It feels like I am living my dream, I am doing what I love the most. The only time I get to know it's 25 is when I am doing this interview,' says the Kumkum Bhagya actor,' adding that he has been fortunate to not have had many lows in his career so far. 'By God's grace there have always been high phases where there is a lot to do in my career so far. I always got good work, and that's a blessing. Sometimes a lot of actors do have to compromise on the quality of work because of the right kind of work not coming their way. But in that aspect, God has been very kind. So, when I work, I work a lot and when I am not working in between projects, I am just kind of taking it so easy. Everything that I used to do since I was a child, I am still doing it. With my family, I am playing sports, I am travelling with them, I am just living my dream.' Despite being in the industry since so long. Shabir is one of those few actors still playing lead in shows. 'There are lots of good actors around and there is lots of good work that is happening with different kind of actors across the medium and just to be one of them is really amazing. And I think the biggest advantage is for you to have the power to say no in projects that you don't believe in. So, I do play the waiting game just to exercise that power. In a way, that I do projects that I believe in rather than just being a part of a project because it's coming your way,' says Shabir. On the current state of affairs on the small screen where TV shows are being pulled off air midway frequently, Shabir is of the belief that the problem is not specific to TV but across all entertainment mediums. 'What is happening is that the amount of choice that a person has for content is incredible. The consumption of entertainment in terms of consumption of content has changed. People, I don't think are now patient enough, and they don't want to really sample as much unless they know that this is right,' he says adding that it is not something that will last. 'I think it's a passing phase. Not just television, but everyone needs to really pull their socks off in terms of the content they are creating. You must be very, very sure about what you are making. Substandard concepts will not be consumed by viewers anymore, the way it probably would be sometime back. Makers are coming up with good content but not on TV anymore. Yes, a lot of shows are being pulled off air and in the last 2-3 years I don't think a show has really lasted that long but if a show is good, It will have takers and it will run. The viewer has so many options today that the show must be a cut above the rest for it to really work,' he says. Shabir Ahluwalia with wife Kanchi Kaul Being a father and a husband Shabir says he does the draw the line in the kind of content he is portraying on screen. 'You know when you read a script as to what is nonsense and what is the requirement of a story. So, I'm okay for a character to be extreme but I'm not okay for a character to do just anything on screen just because it is OTT. If you talk about like a kissing scene, going intimate, everybody says that it's a requirement of the script, but as an actor when you read a script you know whether this is important or not. So, when it's not important, you know that this project is only being made for sleaze. That's not something that I'm cool with,' he says. Shabir Ahluwalia with wife Kanchi Kaul and sons A handsome father to two sons, Shabir says he actually wanted a daughter when his wife Kanchi was expecting. 'I have two wonderful boys though when they were conceived, I desperately wanted a girl. Obviously, you miss having a daughter but having said that, my boys are making up for the daughter's part as well. The only way fatherhood has changed me is that now I have started playing even more sports and my wife, Kanchi has a handful with us three around. But even she is into a lot of sports now,' he says. Shabir is also not too much of a fan of social media and says he is more on a 'man of the moment'. He says, 'I don't come from that school of thought that it's important for an actor to be active on social media. Posting regularly on social media about my personal life doesn't come naturally to me. I prefer living the moment and so I don't know how to capture the moment. For the makers, choosing actors based on the number of followers, maybe you'll find a gem of an actor, maybe not! So, each to its own. '
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sriti Jha shows love for her Kumkum Bhagya co-star Shabir Ahluwalia's new role as Yug in Ufff… Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
Actor Sriti Jha recently delighted fans with a warm show of support for her Kumkum Bhagya co-star Shabir Ahluwalia, as he takes on a bold new role in the romantic drama Ufff… Yeh Love Hai Mushkil. Sharing a moment from the show on her Instagram Stories, Sriti revealed that she's been watching the series and expressed admiration for Shabir's portrayal of Yug Sinha. The shout-out brought a wave of excitement among their fans, who fondly remember the duo's on-screen chemistry in Kumkum Bhagya. While the characters may have changed, the off-screen camaraderie remains strong, and Sriti's gesture served as a beautiful reminder of their shared journey and mutual respect. In Ufff… Yeh Love Hai Mushkil, Shabir stars opposite Ashi Singh , who plays Kairi Sharma, and the pair's fresh chemistry has already captivated viewers. While Yug is a brooding and emotionally distant man on screen, Shabir himself is known for being warm, expressive, and full of life. 'In real life, I'm constantly surrounded by love,' Shabir said. 'I'm someone who laughs easily and talks openly about what I feel. But Yug is the complete opposite. He's built walls around himself and won't let anyone in.' Reflecting on his initial days on the new set, he shared, 'I had to switch off the warmth that's such a large part of who I am. Becoming someone so guarded was uncomfortable at first—but that discomfort was where the challenge and fun began.' He added thoughtfully, 'My reality is love; Yug's is heartbreak. That contrast is what makes playing him so powerful.' With Sriti cheering from the sidelines, fans are loving this new chapter in Shabir's career — one where both nostalgia and fresh emotions collide on screen.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Uff... Yeh Love Hai Mushkil: Ashi Singh, admires her co-actor Shabir Ahluwalia, says 'Even in his serious, brooding moments as Yug, he somehow makes it look picture-perfect'
It's not every day that you get to work with someone you've admired for years, unless you're ! The talented actress, who plays Kairi Sharma in rom-com Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil, has been a fan of her co-star, Shabir Ahluwalia, and believes acting alongside him is a dream come true. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The show, which explores the complicated facets of love and relationships, features Shabir as the rugged and elusive Yug Sinha, while Ashi, as Kairi, is a happy-go-lucky young woman who aspires to be a successful lawyer. While their on-screen banter is unmissable as their characters are as different as chalk and cheese, off-screen, Ashi Singh has taken up a quirky little hobby of trying to sneak in photos of Shabir Ahluwalia when he's deep in his 'Yug Zone', being elusive, broody and just a little grumpy! But as she hilariously admits on Instagram: 'Tried catching a candid of Shabbir in full-on Yug mode… but of course, the man still looks like he's walked straight out of a shoot. Effortlessly good-looking. How do you do that?' Whether he's preparing for an emotional scene, reading the script, or chatting with the crew between takes, Ashi's mission to capture him as this guarded character falls flat, given Shabir's effortless charm, which refuses to take a break. Talking about this newfound hobby on set, Ashi Singh shares, 'One of the things I really enjoy on set is watching Shabir Ahluwalia step into his role as Yug. He brings such a natural intensity to the character—it's so effortless, yet impactful. Even in his serious, brooding moments as Yug, he somehow makes it look picture-perfect. It's been genuinely inspiring to see him work up close, it's like a mini masterclass every day. ' Keep reading this space for more updates.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shabir Ahluwalia on embracing contrasts in Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil; says ‘My reality is love; Yug's is heartbreak'
In Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil, Shabir Ahluwalia takes on the emotionally layered role of advocate Yug Sinha—a man whose polished exterior conceals a world of inner turmoil. Charming yet distant, Yug is someone who keeps his emotions locked away, having long given up on love. For Shabir, stepping into Yug's shoes meant stepping far outside his own emotional world. Off screen, Shabir is known for his warmth, affection, and deep personal bonds. A devoted husband and loving father, he embraces life with openness and emotional honesty. This stark contrast between his personal life and Yug's brooding persona offered both a challenge and an opportunity. 'In real life, I'm constantly surrounded by love,' Shabir shared. 'I'm someone who laughs easily and talks openly about what I feel. But Yug is the complete opposite. He's built walls around himself and won't let anyone in.' Describing the initial days on set, he added, 'When I first went on set, I had to switch off the warmth, the openness which is such a large part of my personality and become someone who is much colder and guarded. It was uncomfortable in the beginning, almost like I was fighting against who I naturally am. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's A List Of Cheapest Steel Suppliers (See List) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo But that's what made it exciting. It pushed me to really dig deeper as an actor.' He summed it up poignantly: 'My reality is love; Yug's is heartbreak, and that contrast is what makes playing him so powerful.' For Shabir, embodying Yug's emotional distance became a journey of artistic exploration. It was a chance to stretch beyond the familiar and dive into a world defined by pain, vulnerability, and the refusal to feel. The result is a performance layered with authenticity and depth—rooted in contrast and driven by empathy.
