Stepping onto the sets of Star Plus and Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai as Kabeer is a journey defined by dedication rather than intimidation for actor James Ghadge. While some long-time viewers of the 18-year-old show are still adjusting to the shift in generations, James finds joy in the overwhelming love, creative edits, and enthusiastic support pouring in.
Reflecting on the mixed reactions on social media, James shares, “Some people are giving us a lot of love, while others are expressing their disappointment because they are attached to the older generation. It may take them some time to adjust to the new storyline. But many new viewers have connected with us, and they are showing us so much love. People are making so many edits and hyping Maira and Kabeer’s pairing. It feels really good to see the effort they are putting in.”
Unlike typical generational leaps where the narrative simply moves ahead, this track uniquely explores the nuances of Gen Z relationships—something television audiences haven’t seen in this way before. “We are catering to the younger generation, especially Gen Z viewers,” James explains. “Usually, after a generational leap, we see the story move ahead, but this time, we are getting to explore this generation. I feel it may take some time for people to accept us, but eventually, they will.”
Right now, the storyline is caught in what he describes as a “mountain of misunderstandings.” With simmering tensions between the Damani and Poddar families, Kabeer is often perceived as a spoiled boy. Explaining the complexities of the current track, James notes, “It is a very difficult situation to understand because, from the family’s point of view, Kabeer seems like a spoiled boy. There is already a conflict between the Damani and Poddar families, and then a lot of other misunderstandings keep happening. Nobody is really wrong here. The parents are right from their point of view, and Maira is right from hers. It is really about perspective and what each person has seen or understood.”
Off-screen, the atmosphere on set is filled with warmth, camaraderie, and plenty of laughter. James shares a special bond with Rohit Purohit (Armaan), marking their third show together since James’s early career days—a connection he playfully highlights, saying, “This is my third show with Rohit bhai. I have been working with him since I was very young, so I feel we have a connection from a previous life.” He also expresses his appreciation for co-star Samridhii Shukla (Abhira), noting, “We have not shot together that much, but whatever we have done has been fun. Everyone has been very supportive, and I have had a great time shooting with them.”
Known as the person who laughs the most on set, James adds with a smile, “I keep laughing all the time. No matter what kind of scene we are doing, I am usually the one laughing the most on set. Even if we are doing an emotional scene, we can get into the moment when the camera is rolling, but as soon as the director says cut, we start laughing again.”
Reflecting on the legacy of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, James firmly views the pressure of the show as a duty rather than a burden. “I would not use the word pressure. It is a responsibility for us to deliver quality and give the audience what they want to watch. We have to give our best. The show has been running for 18 years, which is a huge achievement. The amount of hard work that goes into keeping a show running for so long is incredible. Hats off to the entire team working behind the scenes,” he says.
Acknowledging that change can be difficult for loyal fans, James concludes with a warm message and a request for continuous support: “I know it may be difficult for the old viewers to accept the story, and I understand that people have their own perspectives. But I just want everyone to love us because we are working very hard. It is not just me. The camera team, directors and the entire crew are putting in a lot of effort. We are giving our 100 per cent, and we will give even 110 per cent if needed. I just hope the love keeps growing.”
