Akashdeep Saigal: I have never bothered about my image

After a nine-year hiatus from acting, Akashdeep Saigal, best remembered as Ansh Gujral from the first season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has returned to the screen with Naagin 7. We have also learnt that he is set to return for the second season of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Reflecting on his time away, Akashdeep, also known as Skywalker, describes the break as a conscious choice. He shares, “I wasn’t away from life or creativity. I was just away from the noise. I spent a lot of time reflecting, focusing on spirituality and writing. It was something deeply personal.”His return, he explains, happened organically. Akashdeep says, “One day, while I was at my farmhouse in Karjat, I saw on the live CCTV feed that my friend Chetan Hansraj had arrived at my residence in Bandra. I called him, and that’s when I found out Ekta (Kapoor) was looking for me. Ekta and I share a strong bond. We didn’t need any reintroduction. That mutual respect and clarity have always been there. Some bonds stand the test of time. When she approached me again, everything felt aligned. Also, Naagin is a popular franchise.” Addressing rumours around his absence, Akashdeep clarifies, “I heard stories about me going through depression, but that’s not true. I wasn’t depressed, nor was I forced to stay away. It was a personal choice. Nobody from the industry destroyed my career. I left when I was doing three shows at a time.”He adds, “My mother’s passing in 2015 was a turning point. Stepping away gave me time to look inward, and there was a lot of self-realisation during that phase. I now feel spirituality exists in acting too. Anything done with honesty is spirituality. There is no room for ego.”On whether audiences will see more of him going forward, he remains clear. “If something aligns with me creatively, I’ll be here. I never bothered about the image created around me earlier, and I bother even less now,” he says.