Shaheer Sheikh is one of the highest-paid actors on Indian television, who has been ruling audiences’ hearts for more than a decade now. Over the years, he has starred in several successful television shows, including Navya, Mahabharat, and Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi.
Sheikh is currently seen essaying the much-loved character of Abir Rajvansh on producer Rajan Shahi’s superhit show, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, which is a spin-off Star Plus’ long-running show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.
The handsome hunk has time and again admitted that he does not like watching his own shows, but Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke is an exception. “I generally do not watch the shows I am acting in, but since I got time now as I was at home for a few days, so I watched the first four-five shows of YRHPK, and it was quite gripping. Like even when I am watching international shows, there are moments which are not interesting and you check your phone or do some things like that, but the episodes of this show that I saw, I did not get distracted even for a second,” he says.
The actor goes on to add, “It is very crisp. There is like a thriller touch to it, not exactly a thriller but it is very gripping. You want to know what is going to happen next. Even though I know the script and have acted in the scenes, I was still curious and that I think is very rare that an actor who knows the story and who knows what’s going to happen but still, he wants to know what’s going to happen next.”
Shaheer Sheikh reveals that the character of Abir Rajvansh is very similar to him in real life. “With Abir, I have learned to be there for my people. Generally, we tend to focus more on our life and how we want to live it, but Abir has a special quality to be always there for his loved ones, and how and when they might need you,” he signs off.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.