The beloved Indian sitcom 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain' has been a staple of television entertainment for years, but its journey almost began without one of its most iconic stars. Saumya Tandon, who portrayed the memorable Anita Bhabhi from 2015 to 2020, recently opened up about how close she came to walking away from the show before it even started, and the intense doubts that plagued her even after signing on.
The Title That Almost Sunk The Deal
In a candid revelation, Saumya Tandon admitted that her initial rejection of the show was rooted in something as simple as its name. When the role was first offered to her, she could not connect with the title 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain'. She stated that she refused the project multiple times, explicitly saying, "When I was offered this show, I didn't even like the name. I just rejected it for the longest time." Her resistance was so strong that she attempted to steer the conversation towards other opportunities, firmly stating her disinterest in daily soap formats.
The producers, however, were persistent. They were convinced she was perfect for the part of Anita Bhabhi and continued to pursue her despite her repeated refusals. This back-and-forth, where she kept saying no and they kept saying yes, marked a critical juncture in her career, as she was determined not to be typecast in the daily soap genre.
A Crisis of Confidence After Signing
Even after reluctantly agreeing and commencing shoot, Saumya was consumed by fear and regret. She confessed to believing that accepting the role was a monumental mistake, one that would permanently define and limit her career. The anxiety was so profound that she told her then-boyfriend she would "die as bhabhi ji." She vividly recalled thinking, "I said I have made a mistake. This is the end of my career. I will just die as Bhabi ji."
This fear escalated to the point where she tried to back out of her contract after signing it. She contacted the makers, asking to be released from her commitment. Their response was a stark ultimatum: the show was scheduled to air the following week, and if she pulled out, they would sue her. What had seemed like an opportunity suddenly felt like an inescapable trap, leaving her with no choice but to see the project through.
Walking Away From Success
Despite the show achieving massive popularity and providing significant financial stability, Saumya Tandon made the bold decision to quit after five successful years. Her reason transcended monetary success. She explained that while her producer urged her to stay, citing the unique earning potential and the show's popularity, money alone was not a sufficient motivator.
"My producer kept telling me, 'Don't go. It's not easy to get this kind of money. Your show is very popular.' But money was not exciting me enough and I thought this is only one life so I got to try different things," she revealed. This philosophy propelled her to seek new challenges, leading to her role as Ulfat in 'Dhurandhar' opposite Akshaye Khanna.
Saumya Tandon's journey from nearly rejecting 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain' to becoming synonymous with Anita Bhabhi, and then consciously moving on, underscores her desire for artistic evolution. The role she once feared would end her career instead became a defining and celebrated chapter, proving that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards, even if the path is paved with doubt.
