Here’s why Saumya Tandon initially DID NOT want to do ‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain': ‘I kept on saying no and they kept on saying yes’

‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain’ may have become one of the most loved sitcoms on Indian television. But Saumya Tandon almost walked away from it before it even began. The actress, played Anita Bhabhi from 2015 to 2020. She had once revealed why she rejected the show when it was first offered to her. Also, how close she came to quitting it even after signing on.Speaking to Digital Commentary earlier, Saumya Tandon admitted that the title itself put her off. She revealed that she refused the show multiple times simply because she could not connect with the name. “When I was offered this show, I didn’t even like the name. I just rejected it for the longest time,” she said.She even tried to steer the conversation toward something else. “I said I can’t do daily soaps. They said, ‘No, no you have to, we think you are perfect for it.’ I kept on saying no and they kept on saying yes,” she added. At that point in her career, Saumya was clear about not wanting to be boxed into a daily soap format.Even after she finally agreed and started shooting, Saumya was filled with doubt. She confessed that she believed taking up the role was a mistake. She recalled telling her then-boyfriend that she thought she would ‘die as bhabhi ji’. She said, “I said I have made a mistake. This is the end of my career. I will just die as Bhabi ji.”The fear grew so intense that she even tried to back out after signing the contract. “I called them (makers) back and I asked them if I could come out of it. They said now we will sue you because we are going on air next week and if you say no, we will sue you now.” At that moment, the show felt more like a trap than an opportunity.Despite the show’s massive popularity and financial stability, Saumya chose to quit after five years. She revealed that money alone was not enough to keep her going. “My producer kept telling me, ‘Don’t go. It’s not easy to get this kind of money. Your show is very popular.’ But money was not exciting me enough and I thought this is only one life so I got to try different things,” she said.From playing Anita in ‘Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain’ to portraying Ulfat, the fearless wife of Rehman Dakait played by Akshaye Khanna in ‘Dhurandhar’, Saumya Tandon’s journey reflects her constant need to evolve. What once felt like a career-ending mistake ultimately became a defining chapter in her professional life.