Acclaimed actor Manit Joura has had such a close connection with super hit drama serial Kundali Bhagya since it premiered in 2017 that he recently made a winning return, after shocking fans by leaving last year.
The popular star has perfectly picked up where he left off with his portrayal of Rishabh Luthra on the ZEE TV show and is delighting fans with his presence. He is clearly enjoying being part of the Kundali Bhagya family again and was happy to speak with Eastern Eye about the magnetic charm of the show. He also discussed his dream role, inspirations, future plans, and what he enjoys as an audience member.
How do you look back on your wonderful acting journey?
If I look back at my acting journey it is no less than a movie script. My journey has been full of ups and downs, with a lot of twists, turns, failures and some successes, and also a lot of learning and unlearning. I’ve got to know myself better and what exactly is being a human being. In a nutshell, I would say my journey as an actor has been fruitful.
How do you reflect on your amazing Kundali Bhagya journey in particular?
Honestly, my journey with Kundali Bhagya has literally changed my bhagya (destiny). Whatever I am today is because of Kundali Bhagya and the character Rishabh Luthra. I got a lot of love and recognition because of the show. I got Kundali Bhagya when I was looking for that one big break that might change my career graph, and it actually did. It has personally also given me a lot. I’ve grown from a boy to a man and am very grateful for it.
Why did you decide to leave the show and what made you return?
Leaving the show wasn’t a pre-planned thing. It was a very impromptu decision because my mother wasn’t keeping well and as the eldest son in the family, it was my responsibility to take care of her. And the reason I made a comeback is that there was something left that I had to say through my character.
Tell us about that?
The makers added a lot of twists and turns in the plot, which made my character demand a lot from me as an actor. I was thrilled about it and also the fact that Kundali has been close to my heart. So, whatever and whenever I can do something for this show, I will do it.
Why do you think Kundali Bhagya is so loved by the audience?
Different people like the show for different reasons. Anything that is honest and truthful is relatable to people. And the bond we share, we don’t act like brothers. That bond shows on screen. My bond with family and vice versa is shown. We don’t try to be a family, we are a family! We don’t give a second thought before expressing ourselves. That off-screen chemistry reaches audiences of the show, and they relate to it. The show’s writers write the words and we actors come at them with our own senses and emotions.
You have played diverse roles. Which other characters have you enjoyed playing?
Honestly, I’ve loved all the characters that I have done. But the character closest to my heart has to be Harsh Shastri (from Prem Bandhan) because as an actor I always used to think that I won’t be able to do a schizophrenic character, or it doesn’t come naturally to me. I had to work really hard for that character. I used to think that I might end up hurting people’s sentiments. I did a lot of research before performing it. My research and spontaneity helped me ace the role.
What is the plan going forward?
To be honest, there is no plan. I only plan things that are in my control, such as my schedule, and craft (being well prepared for the shoot). Also being ready for the opportunity that knocks on my door. I stopped planning because the majority of stuff that you plan never
happens. Life has different ways of surprising you.
What is your dream role?
There are so many, ones I think about most is doing biographical or real-life characters, so that I’ll get to spend time with the person and get to portray them. I would love to do a biography of Virat Kohli and think I would look good.
What kind of content do you enjoy watching as an audience?
I love watching everything. Even if it is a normal film that is not watched by many people, then also I like it because that gives me an understanding that I don’t have to do this and should do that. I watch everything without getting bored. I enjoy love stories, action films, and documentaries. I love watching Imtiaz Ali’s cinema because he shows the character with so much innocence, beauty, and simplicity that it reflects real life such as his characters in Tamasha, and Rockstar. He shows a real graph and journey travelled by each character, and you go along with it.
What inspires you?
What inspires me is the honest work of any actor. Even a small, but impactful role inspires me. Like Pankaj Tripathi did in Gangs Of Wasseypur. Also, music, stories, and innocence of actors inspire me. Being a good human inspires me. The one who is honest with himself is a good human.
Why do you love being an actor?
I don’t think I would do anything else other than acting. Acting has taught me a lot. The deeper I go into it, the more I enjoy it. I can act until my last breath without getting bored. I don’t want to find this answer – that is why I love acting. I just enjoy the moment. It makes me forget everything, including my personal life, and issues. When I’m acting, I’m just acting. I didn’t become an actor because of fame or money. It is everything to me and a very spiritual process.
Adrian Lester, best known for his work on television and film, returns to the stage in the eponymous role of Edmond Rostand's 1898 comedy, Cyrano de Bergerac.
Rostland’s play centres around Cyrano - a little-known romantic 17th century French libertine poet, soldier, and philosopher. The play is based partly on his letters written on behalf of his love rival Christian de Neuvillette as he tries to charm Cyrano’s cousin, Roxanne with whom Cyrano is also in love.
Cyrano is cursed with an overt self-consciousness in the form of a large nose. His insecurity is such that he prohibits anyone to refer to it directly or indirectly. Together with his wit, his skills as a swordsman, and the directorial splattering of our own vernacular, they provide the play with a certain infectious - albeit teenage - humour.
Despite Cyrano unexpressed love for Roxanne, the latter has fallen for Christian who is handsome, but useless when it comes to expressing his feelings in words. But then, he is also useless as a swordsman and clearly no match for Cyrano’s mastery and maturity. Realising this and being utterly selfless, Cyrano offers his help to the youthful Christian to woo Roxanne by writing for him poetic and hyperbolic proclamations of love and longing. All he wants is Roxanne to be happy even if he himself has to do with nursing a broken heart.
Christian Patterson and Levi BrownMarc Brenner
The result is a farce of the highest order and mistaken identity, coupled with threat and violence
This RSC production is directed by Simon Evans who has provided a very lively and engaging interpretation by all accounts. Apart from a skilled, highly polished ensemble of cast, there’s interesting theatricality at work. Every now and then, for instance, one gets a sense that the stage is a reflection of our own world and vice versa. Characters mingle with the audience, they break the fourth wall, and the theatre band wander around with the characters and referred to with some bemusement and fun.
In a 17th century French world – not unlike our own, 21st century – external beauty, speech, language are prized. Expression has become almost secondary. It’s a world in which fakery, deception and lies are paced above sincerity, honesty, and truth. Looks and external beauty outweigh the inner beauty of man.
Evans removes the original piece from its French setting to England, littering it with a Brummie accent, and accentuating our preconceptions about hopeless romantics and those with meaningless verbiage. The effect is one of joyous atmosphere and true entertainment.
Adrian Lester provides a magnificent performance as the wordsmith, Cyrano. His character is verbose, comedic, and sympathetic in equal measures. Lester is enticing, hilarious and – judging by the reaction of the audience –appreciated as a versatile actor who can do comedy just as well as drama. Levi Brown’s Christian is a fiery - overtly hopeless - romantic who cannot paint his feelings into words. Brown gives a very energetic and magnetic performance. Similarly, Susannah Fielding provides a sprightly Roxanne who is heart-warming and an utter pleasure to watch.
Adrian Lester (front right) and companyMarc Brenner
It’s hard not to notice but as an audience, we are invited to consider the value of language that may sound romantic, but may – in actual fact – be little more than a shallow expression of fancy. Whereas, the seemingly absence of language – though painfully inadequate - may actually embody real sincerity and the true meaning of love.
Whatever you may think, one thing is certain: you will enjoy this production. It’s a real treat.
The play started at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in early September, with its run lasting until 15th November.
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
(Cyrano de Bergerac is playing at the RSC Stratford until 15th November 2025.)
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