Abrar Qazi on whether Kumkum Bhagya fans should MOVE ON after launch of his new show KNNKSS: 'They will see..'

Abrar Qazi, who is all set to make a comeback with Star Plus' upcoming show 'Kabhi Neem Neem, Kabhi Shehad Shehad,' recently got in an exclusive chat with India Forums and spoke about his forthcoming stint on the show. The actor also opened up on bagging the show right after Kumkum Bhagya and gave us an insight on his character too. Read ahead to know it all.

Congratulations on Kabhi Neem Neem, Kabhi Shahad Shahad. Ardent followers of KumKum Bhagya are still reeling with the hurt of Rajveer and Purvi's love story coming to an end and you're already back with another 'bitter sweet' love story as the name suggests. Safe to say, the audience should already move on?

It’s a super fun, youth-focused show that’s light, relatable, and just full of feel-good vibes. There’s a bit of comedy, a lot of heart, and it’s something that today’s generation can really connect with. What’s nice is, even though it connects with the youth, it’s still something everyone at home can watch and enjoy—it really brings people together. The interactions feel fresh and real, which brings a whole new energy to the screen. It’s not a bitter sweet love story infact , At the heart of it, it’s a sweet, romantic love story—very warm, very real, and definitely one that’ll leave you smiling. And for all the Kumkum Bhagya fans out there—you’ll see me in a completely new avatar this time, and I’m really excited for everyone to come along on this new journey

Jokes apart, landing a big show after wrapping up another show is worth celebrating. How did you land this show and character and what made you say yes?

Landing a show really comes down to timing—you’ve got to be in the right place at the right time. I had just finished my last project when I got a call about this new show on Star Plus. From there, everything happened step by step—workshops, getting into the feel of the character—and it all just came together naturally. Honestly, I ended up signing the contract way faster than I expected! What really pulled me in was the character’s youthful vibe. It’s such a fun change from the kind of roles I’ve done before. In fact, he’s completely different from what people have seen me play. I don’t want to give away too much, but I really connected with his energy and positivity. I just hope the audience enjoys watching him as much as I enjoyed bringing him to life.

Ratings, an important factor that decides the success of shows these days have become very uncertain. For that matter, no matter what production house or who the cast is, story is now the king. However, did you ever happen to be in any sort of pressure of ratings anytime in your career?

It’s true—story is the most important foundation of any show. It needs to have a strong grip to truly engage the audience. Once that’s in place, the artist steps in to bring it to life in a way that feels relatable, and that’s when audiences begin to connect with us and fall in love with the characters. As for ratings, they’ve never really bothered me. I don’t look at my work through that lens. I’m an artist, and for me, it’s always been about doing my job with honesty and passion. I genuinely enjoy being in front of the camera, and that joy is what drives me—not the numbers. That said, I feel both TV and digital ratings should be taken into account, and the average of all platforms should be considered in the final evaluation.

What can the audience expect from the show and your character?

Audiences can expect something fresh and different from this show. It has a youthful vibe, and I feel a lot of people—especially the younger crowd—will really connect with it. It’s also a big change for me personally, so I’m giving it my all and doing my best to keep everyone entertained and happy. My character is a celebrity chef who’s quite popular—especially among his friends and the girls! He has a close-knit gang made up of his cousins and friends, and they all really look up to him. He’s always there for them, stands by them, and even speaks up for them when the family doesn’t agree. But behind his fun and confident personality, there’s also an emotional side. He deeply misses his mother, and her absence has left a big gap in his life. So while he may seem strong on the outside, there’s a lot of vulnerability within him too. This character is very special and different from anything I’ve done before. I really hope people connect with him and give him lots of love. I’m super excited to share this journey with the audience.