'Rupali Ganguly jaisi nipun..': Anupamaa's director Romesh Kalra on cameo in current track & critcism of show

The world of Indian television thrives on its ability to blend fiction with reality in a way that engages millions of viewers every single day. Among the many shows that have captivated the audience, Anupamaa stands tall as one of the most loved programmes on television. Produced under Rajan Shahi’s banner Directors Kut, the show has earned widespread appreciation for its performances and story telling. Over the years, countless actors and technicians have been a part of this universe, yet very rarely do viewers get to see the creative forces behind the camera become a part of the story that unfolds onscreen.

Recently, fans witnessed a delightful and unexpected moment when Romesh Kalra, the director of Anupamaa, who has been associated with Rajan Shahi's DKP for almost two decades now, made an appearance in the show itself. His involvement came during the ongoing track where Anupamaa returns to Mumbai and visits Film City for the first time. Anu's character is shown experiencing the environment of a television set with curiosity and surprise. During her visit she ends up impressing the director of the fictional show with her cooking. As a result she is offered a catering assignment, which adds a new turn to her journey.

In a detailed conversation with India Forums, Romesh Kalra described how it felt to move from the director’s chair to appearing before the camera. He spoke about the reactions he received and mentioned that he was initially conscious about facing the camera. He said, "I hope audience ko bhi acha laga ho and actually main bahut conscious tha jab kiya woh, par director ka tha toh humare creative ji ne kaha aur Rajan ji ne kaha ke tu kar le. So I said okay, I was quite nervous because Anupamaa jaisi, Rupali Ganguly jaisi nipun actress ke sath camera face kar na, it was an amazing experience and everyone was very supportive. Toh ache se hua and aage aur bhi hai scene woh bhi kar raha hoon abhi."

Romesh was also asked about the creative intention behind featuring this track that highlights what happens behind the scenes on television sets. He explained that the team wanted to show the actual process of making a show, something that is not often presented to the general audience. He said, "TV mein behind the scene kya hota hai woh bahut jyda explore nahi hua hai, khaas kar industry mein. Toh hum ne socha ke real duniya ko dikhaya jaaye and Anupamaa se jyda kaun ho sakta hai jisse hum is nayi duniya ko dekhe, nayi duniya ko samjhe. Jo cheezein itni aasan lagti hai, bahar se bol diya jata hai ke kya likh dia hai, kya kapde pehne hai par jab hum aate hai camera ke saamne, toh it is not all that easy. Woh kehte hai na Mumbai nagariya mein kismat bante saalo nikal jate hai zindagi lag jaati hai aur kabhi kabhi ek pal mein palat jaati hai. Toh basically un thoughts par explore kar na hum ne socha ke achaa rahega."

This attempt to show the working environment of a television production coincides with a moment in the current storyline where Anupamaa acknowledges how much effort goes into creating a daily soap. The character states that she will not criticise a television show again after seeing the amount of labour and coordination involved in even the simplest scenes. When asked if the sequence was introduced to address criticism directed at the show, Romesh clarified the intention. He said, "Somewhere, yes but I wont say ke logo ko jata ne ke liye ya logo ko dikhane ke liye ke criticise na kare aisa kia hai. Dekhiye baat aisi hai ke aap kuch bhi karo, kuch toh log kahenge logo ka kaam hai kehna hai. Aap kaisi bhi cheez bana lijiye, kuch logo ko achha lagega kuch logo ko bura lagega. I respect everybody's perspective. Har ek ka creative cheez ko dekhne ka apna alag perspective hota hai. Aap kisi ko sahi ya galat nahi bol sakte. Sab ki apni choices hai."

Somewhere, yes but I wont say ke logo ko jata ne ke liye ya logo ko dikhane ke liye ke criticise na kare aisa kia hai. Dekhiye baat aisi hai ke aap kuch bhi karo, kuch toh log kahenge logo ka kaam hai kehna hai. Aap kaisi bhi cheez bana lijiye, kuch logo ko achha lagega kuch logo ko bura lagega. I respect everybody's perspective. Har ek ka creative cheez ko dekhne ka apna alag perspective hota hai.

- Romesh Kalra

Romesh then spoke about his own experience acting in multiple scenes for the show. He noted that despite his long years of directing, appearing on camera required a different mindset. He shared, "Camera ke saamne aao toh nervousness toh rehti hai, thodi si anxiety toh rehti hai. Kaafi lambe scenes bhi aaye hai par jo first shot, usme I gave my best but uske baad abhi aur lambe lambe scenes likh ke aaye toh thodi si anxiety hai thodi si nervousness hai but I am trying to give my best. All the actors, Rupali aur baaki jo kirdaar hai they are all very supportive. Meri direction team bhi bahut supportive hai. I am enjoying it.''

''Direct karte hue pata hota hai ke acha ye galat hai ye sahi hai but jab aap khud karte ho toh it becomes a little difficult. These guys are helping me, Rupali is helping mein ke agar kahi kuch clarity nahi hai ke kuch hai toh chalo isko aisa kar lete hai and I am also trying to improve ab baaki dekhte hai audience ko kaisa lagta hai. Woh kehte hai na janta janardhan hai woh decide karto hai cheeze, I hope unhe sab ka kaam acha lage. Main khud actor nahi hu toh mujhe is cheez ka jyda khauf hai nahi ke agar bura bhi lage toh baaki over all show acha lage logo ko that is more important to me," he adds.

We then asked Romesh if just like Anu, an oustider could bag a catering offer on the sets of the show and how do things work in real life when it comes to catering. Speaking about the same, he explained how food arrangements usually work on television sets in reality. He mentioned that catering is handled by suppliers who have been working with units for many years. He said, "Unit mein kuch log hai jo khaana supply karte hai, there are suppliers, there are suppliers. Main ye maanta hoon ke jo achi chiz hai toh usko finally kaam mil hi jaata hai, aisa nahi ke bahar ke logo ko mauka nahi dete hai, bilkul dete hai bahar ke logo ko bhi mauka but ye hai ke yaha tak pohchna mushkil hai kyunki logo ko shayad samjh nahi aata hai ke kaise approach kar na hai. Toh woh filhal humare yaha jaha se khana aata hai, Laakhan ji ke yaha se khaana aata hai and he is one of the best in the industry. Mera chota bhai bhi actually isi buisness mein hai. Humara ek restaurant hai Sardaar ji, Haveli ek restaurant hai. Raj jo mera chota bhai hai woh usey handle karta hai toh thoda thoda is buisness ka I know because of my younger brother."

The ongoing track has also created conversations about how much of the behind the scenes reality of the television industry should be included within a daily soap. The show is using Anupamaa’s experience in Film City to familiarise the audience with aspects of production they do not usually witness. This includes the everyday work of lighting teams, set designers, assistant directors, unit hands, and costume teams, all of whom contribute to a final episode that reaches the public. The inclusion of Romesh Kalra in this narrative serves a functional purpose in the larger plot, but it also gives the audience a clearer idea of how the environment works.

The track also hints at the unpredictability of the entertainment industry and the constant movement of people, opportunities, and responsibilities. Romesh referred to this when he mentioned the phrase about how fortunes shift in Mumbai. The idea is that the industry is built on hard work but also on timing and chance. This aligns with the experiences of many individuals who have navigated this field over long careers.

The response to Romesh’s appearance has included curiosity from viewers who are used to seeing him credited but not visible onscreen. The scenes have also encouraged discussions about how much effort goes into creating daily content and the pressure that crews face while meeting deadlines for episodes that must be delivered every day without interruption.

The broader narrative in Anupamaa continues to explore themes of employment, self reliance, opportunity, and adjustment to new spaces. The catering offer that comes to Anupamaa in the story is consistent with her ongoing effort to rebuild herself personally and professionally. The Film City environment also becomes a setting through which she learns about another sector of work and the people who support it on a daily basis.

As the track progresses, the show is expected to continue using the Film City backdrop to highlight the contrast between audience perception and actual production processes. The storyline is set to expand further on the interactions between Anupamaa and the world she encounters there.