Actor Sagar Parekh, who won millions of hearts as Samar in Star Plus and Rajan Shahi’s Anupamaa, is once again making headlines — not just for his much-talked-about return to the show, but also for his striking transformation in Zee TV’s Jagriti Ek Nayi Subah (Guruodev Bhalla Productions), where he plays a negative role. The actor, who is known for his sincerity and versatility, opens up about embracing change, fan love, and the evolving dynamics of television storytelling.
Sagar shares that being called back to Anupamaa was both an emotional and thrilling experience. “I was really excited and, more than that, surprised that my character was being recalled for a few scenes. It came very suddenly, and I was shocked. But I knew it would be crazy and that fans would love it. Samar has always been close to my heart, so it felt like coming home,” he says with a smile.
Currently, Sagar is seen in Jagriti portraying Akash, a darker and more complex character — a stark contrast to the lovable Samar. He explains, “I really wanted to play a shade like this because people have seen me in so many positive roles, and my image was that of a chocolate boy. I wanted to show there’s a lot more inside me as an actor. I had manifested this kind of role for a long time, and it worked! People are loving it, and that’s very fulfilling.”
When it comes to preparing for such contrasting roles, Sagar focuses on the finer details. “I go through small nuances of the character and keep them in my mind. Then, I create my own version with creativity — that’s what I love most about my job,” he shares.
The actor candidly admits that the time slot of Jagriti being changed to 11 PM significantly affected viewership. “Definitely, time slots matter. A set of audiences gets used to watching a show at a particular time. With today’s fast-paced lifestyle—whether rural or urban—it’s tough. If someone sleeps at 11, they are not going to stay up for the show. They will catch it in a repeat telecast, which affects TRPs. It’s a little unfair, but that’s how the TV industry works. Every show has its own life cycle,” he reflects.
However, there is a breather as of now, with Jagriti Ek Nayi Subah getting shifted to the 10 PM slot from tonight (6 October).
Sagar’s journey has been marked by consistent audience affection. “Touchwood, I have done every project with full honesty, and I have always received love in return. Whether it’s replacement roles, positive characters, or now a negative one, the audience has been extremely supportive. I am grateful for that. But I never stop learning — I am constantly trying to grow and experiment on screen,” he says.
For Sagar, playing Samar and now Akash are two different worlds. “Playing Samar was not easy—he was a mature kid who adored his mother but behaved childishly at times. On the other hand, Akash is a deadly, rowdy man. It takes a lot of emotional and mental adjustment to switch between such extremes,” he explains.
On the kind of roles he wants to do next, Sagar says,“I am all in for everything that’s offered to me,” says Sagar with conviction. “This is the time to explore. I don’t want to settle for one kind of role. I want to keep experimenting, growing, and proving myself as an actor.”
