Television veteran Akashdeep Saigal has broken his silence regarding the viral debate over his casting in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. The actor, who famously played the villainous Ansh Gujral in the original series, has returned in the reboot as Rio—the on-screen grandson of Smriti Irani’s iconic character, Tulsi Virani.
The Controversy: A 51-Year-Old “Grandson”
The casting has sparked a “troll storm” across social media platforms like JioHotstar and X. The core of the criticism lies in the real-life age dynamics of the lead actors:
- Akashdeep Saigal: 51 years old.
- Smriti Irani: 50 years old.
- The Conflict: Viewers have pointed out the “illogical” nature of a 51-year-old actor playing the grandson of a 50-year-old actress, especially since Akashdeep previously played her son (Ansh) in the same franchise.
Akashdeep’s Response: “Noise from Insecure Screens”
In a candid interview with Mid-Day, Akashdeep dismissed the backlash as “shallow negativity,” urging critics to focus on the storytelling rather than biological timelines.
“The trolling you see online is just noise. It comes from the fear and insecurities of a few people who are hiding behind screens. We can’t even control the hair growing on our own heads… so why try to fight destiny or a universal calling? That kind of negativity never lasts.”
Standing by Ektaa Kapoor’s Vision
The actor credited producer Ektaa Kapoor’s “visionary” approach for his return. He stated that if they focused on a few loud critics instead of the millions of viewers who have propelled the show to the top of the TRP charts, “the greatest stories would never get told.” He added that Ektaa “doesn’t seek permission” and knows exactly what she is doing.
The Plot Twist: Rio Meets Nandini
The controversy is fueled by the show’s current high-drama track. In the latest episode, Rio (played by Akashdeep) came face-to-face with Nandini (Ansh’s widow). The moment left Nandini visibly shaken due to Rio’s uncanny resemblance to his “late father” Ansh—a clever narrative meta-reference to Akashdeep playing both roles across the two generations of the show.
Despite the age-gap debate, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 continues to dominate the ratings, proving that for the Indian audience, “logic” often takes a backseat to high-octane family drama.