The entertainment industry is abuzz following a series of events surrounding the popular sitcom "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai!" Shilpa Shinde, who originally played the iconic role of Angoori Bhabhi, is set to return to the show, replacing Shubhangi Atre, who took over the role after Shinde's controversial exit in 2016. This transition has stirred considerable debate, particularly after Shinde's remarks about Atre's performance.
In a recent interview, Shinde commented on Atre's decade-long portrayal of Angoori Bhabhi, stating that "comedy isn't for everyone". She acknowledged Atre's acting skills but suggested that Atre's performance was an imitation, emphasizing the difficulty of copying someone else's established character. Shinde said that if Atre had played an original character, she would have become more popular. She added, "Dekhiye as an actor, maine us waqt bhi bola tha jab controversy chal rahi thi, very frankly, usne kaam kiya hai achha. Achhi actress hai but comedy sabke bas ki baat nahi hai. Aur uske baad kisiko copy karna, wo bohot mushkil hai, bohot pressure hota hai".
These comments have drawn a sharp reaction from actor Sourabh Raaj Jain, who seemingly criticized Shinde's remarks in a social media post. Without directly naming Shinde, Jain wrote, "Replaced actor entertained audience for around 10 years, being loved throughout, and for whatever reasons when the first actor again steps into the same character which she let go for whatever reasons 10 years back, tells media.... the replaced actor isn't as big as her and lacks comic timing, no Ma'm it's YOU who lack basic decency.... IYKYK Why I am sharing this".
Jain's post has been widely interpreted as a condemnation of Shinde's comments and a defense of Atre's work. The phrase "lacks basic decency" suggests a strong disapproval of Shinde's statements about her successor.
Shubhangi Atre replaced Shilpa Shinde in 2016 after Shinde's departure from "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai" due to a conflict with the show's producers. Shinde had accused the producers of "mental torture" and claimed they were preventing her from taking on other projects. Atre stepped into the role and has since garnered a significant fan base for her portrayal of Angoori Bhabhi.
Atre has addressed Shinde's past criticisms, asserting that she always portrayed Angoori Bhabhi with her own unique style and never attempted to mimic anyone. She acknowledged the challenges of taking on a well-known character but emphasized that she honored the original while incorporating her own individuality.
Shinde's return to "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai" marks a full-circle moment for the show. While neither Shinde nor the show's team has officially confirmed the reasons behind the replacement, reports suggest that the decision was made to introduce new elements and characters to refresh the show after a decade on air.
Atre has responded positively to Shinde's return, stating that she was happy to pass the role back to her and called Shinde a "fantastic actor". She mentioned that she was returning the role of ‘Angoori Bhabhi’ to Shilpa with a full heart and wished Shilpa and the entire team the very best for the 2.0 version of the show. "I just want to say that I am ending this replacement game now. I told my mum that Shilpa left the show in nine to ten months, so it felt like she handed me a newborn baby. I raised that baby for ten years, and now I am returning it to her. I am passing it back with a full heart," Atre stated.
The controversy surrounding Shinde's comments and Jain's reaction highlights the complexities of replacing actors in long-running shows and the pressures faced by those stepping into established roles.
