Mumbai: From his iconic portrayal of Mihir Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to his recent foray into Gujarati cinema, Amar Upadhyay continues to captivate audiences across mediums. In an exclusive interview, the versatile actor opens up about his new film, Mom Tane Na Samjay, a heartfelt story about family, respect, and the often-overlooked role of mothers. Directed by his longtime friend Dharmesh Mehta, the film stands out with its unique narrative and picturesque UK backdrop, breaking new ground for Gujarati cinema.
Amar dives into his character, Kunal, a London-based businessman navigating familial bonds and personal growth. He shares how the film resonates universally, portraying a story every household can relate to. From the challenges of shooting in the chilly UK weather to the emotional depth of the storyline, Amar reflects on the rewarding experience of bringing Mom Tane Na Samjay to life.
Beyond this project, Amar hints at an exciting slate of upcoming ventures, including Dori Season 2, a heartfelt father-daughter drama, and a much-anticipated OTT series on Mahatma Gandhi. As he continues to explore diverse roles and genres, Amar Upadhyay remains a beloved figure in Indian entertainment, proving that his journey is far from over.
Read on as Amar shares insights into his latest film, the evolution of Gujarati cinema, and his enduring passion for storytelling. Excerpts
1. Congratulations on your new film ” Mom Tane Na Samjay”! What drew you to this project and what can audiences expect from the movie?
Director Dharmesh Mehta and I have been friends for about 20 years, but despite our long friendship, he had never offered me a film until now. When he approached me with this project, which had such a beautiful subject, I immediately said yes. He insisted I at least listen to the story and the character, so, just for formality’s sake, I met him and heard the story. As soon as I did, I fell in love with the concept. The story revolves around a mother, and while many Gujarati films have explored themes related to mothers, this one had a completely different take. The second half, in particular, was so unique and moving that I said yes on the spot. On top of that, the film was going to be entirely shot in the UK, which is rare for a Gujarati film, and it even included some English dialogues alongside Gujarati. There were so many firsts for me with this film, and with Dharmesh Mehta being a dear friend and a talented director, it felt like the perfect fit. I truly believe the audience will love this film, and we’ve already been receiving incredible feedback from both critics and viewers. It’s a beautiful story about a small family of four, a mother, father, and two kids, and it highlights how we often neglect our mothers throughout our lives. It’s a story that everyone can relate to, not just in Gujarati cinema but across all languages and regions, whether it’s Marathi, pan-Indian, or even international. At some point in life, every family experiences that moment when the kids tell their mom, “You won’t understand,” thinking they know better. This film explores how a mother’s role is often overlooked and how she strives to regain her respect within the family. It’s an emotional, heartwarming tearjerker, and I’m confident people will connect with it and love it.
2. You’re known for your iconic roles in TV shows like “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”. How does working in a Gujarati film differ from your previous experiences?
Whether it’s working in Gujarati films or any other language, I believe the most important factor that drives me to take on a project is the story. The story is the first thing I look at, whether it’s a film, a television show, or an OTT project. After that, I consider my role, how significant it is in relation to the overall storyline and how much impact it has. The third factor is the team behind the project: who is directing it, who is producing it, and how well they plan to promote it once it’s completed and released. Promotions are crucial these days because there’s such a vast amount of content available, films, OTT shows, and TV series. To stand out, one has to make a strong effort to capture the audience’s attention and ensure the project reaches as many people as possible. In every industry, including Gujarati cinema, what truly matters is the story, the emotions, the quality of filmmaking, and the performances. These are the key factors I look for when deciding to take on a film.
Of course, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was iconic, and even today, people remember me as Mihir Virani. It’s truly a blessing that I got to play that role. Even after 24 years, people still recognize me as Mihir wherever I go. In fact, when my son Aryaman was assisting Hansal Mehta for Gandhi, people asked him, “Are you Mihir?” He had to clarify that he wasn’t Mihir but my son. He was quite surprised by how much Mihir is still remembered, and people were thrilled to meet him as well. That’s a very proud moment for me, knowing how deeply the character has resonated with people. Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was an incredible experience, and playing Mihir was a lot of fun. Now, working on this Gujarati film feels equally significant because it’s based on the bond between mothers and their children. I’m confident that both moms and their kids will love the film. It’s a very special project for me.
3. Can you share some insights into your character in the film? What was the most challenging part of playing this role?
This film is not very challenging in terms of the character, but it does have a lot of shades. My character, Kunal, is a successful businessman in London. He has been settled there for years and has built a successful business. Kunal is deeply involved in his work and doesn’t pay much attention to family matters, leaving those responsibilities to his wife. He loves his kids and wants them to be independent, and now that they’ve grown up, he believes they are capable of making their own decisions. Whenever his wife criticizes the kids and they come to me with complaints, I tend to take their side and tell her that they are grown up and capable of handling things on their own. This leads to small differences between us, and one day, I lose my temper over her constant over-caring approach. In the second half of the film, my character undergoes a transformation. I begin to fully support my wife and reflect on the past, realizing that she was right all along and I was wrong. This shift in perspective brings out a wide range of emotions I got to perform in this film, and that was the most enjoyable part for me. It was also quite challenging. Overall, the experience as an actor was fantastic. Shooting in 4–5°C temperatures, which I’m not used to, was a unique challenge, but everything was well taken care of. It was a beautiful experience filming in Birmingham and London.
4. Gujarati cinema has been gaining popularity in recent years. What do you think sets ” Mom Tane Na Samjay” apart from other Gujarati films?
What sets this film apart from others is how well-made and tightly edited it is, with a perfect runtime of one hour and 57 minutes. It includes two situational songs that blend seamlessly into the narrative. The story is beautifully written and skillfully presented by Dharmesh Mehta, with no dull moments. The performances are outstanding, and every actor has delivered with perfection. The locations are stunning, and the two songs are melodious and captivating.
The story is particularly relatable, as every woman will connect with the character of the mother, every man with the father, and every child with the kids. It feels like a story that belongs to every household. Thousands of people who’ve watched the film have told us, “This is our story.” Many have said it felt like it was unfolding in their own homes, and that’s the unique appeal of this film.
It’s quite different from typical Gujarati films. While many Hindi films are made, not all are memorable, and people sometimes regret watching them. However, there are some exceptional Hindi films too. Gujarati audiences should come and support this film, as it truly showcases how much cinema has evolved. This is a very special film, and it’s one that everyone should watch.
5. What’s next for you after this film? Any upcoming projects you can talk about?
My serial Dori Season 2 is releasing on the 21st of January, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s another father-daughter story, filled with beautiful moments, and it offers a completely fresh perspective. This year, I’ll also see the release of my OTT web series on Mahatma Gandhi, produced by Applause and directed by Anson Mehta. I’m excited about it because I’ve got a brilliant role as Pranjeevan Mehta. The series is amazing and beautifully crafted. It’s set between 1890 and 1925, and I think people are going to love it. I’m eagerly looking forward to its release. Apart from that, there are also two more Gujarati films on the way, so there’s a lot to look forward to this year
