Niharika Chouksey on monsoon snacks, skipping breakfast on Tumm Se Tumm Tak set
Synopsis
Niharika Chouksey, who plays Anu in Zee TV's 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', says television's punishing schedule means she regularly skips breakfast — her dinner runs so late that mornings simply don't work. Between shots, she reaches for chana jor garam with onions and lemon, a snack now shared by the entire cast.
Key Takeaways
Niharika Chouksey plays Anu in Zee TV 's 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' .
Her favourite monsoon snacks on set include dried cranberries , bhujia , and chana jor garam with onions, cucumber, tomatoes, and lemon.
She often skips breakfast because shooting pack-up runs well past the recommended dinner time of 7:00 pm .
In a recent track, her character Anu married Arya (played by Sharad Kelkar ) after overcoming emotional and societal hurdles.
Chouksey says the role has shaped her personal outlook on love, trust, and patience.
Actress Niharika Chouksey, best known for playing Anu in the Zee TV show 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak', has opened up about her eating habits on set — and how the relentless pace of television production regularly upends her meals, especially during the monsoon season.
Her Go-To Monsoon Munchies
Chouksey describes herself as a self-confessed foodie who always needs something to snack on between shots. “I usually carry dried cranberries and some bhujia with me because I’m a complete foodie and I always need something to munch on,” she said. “Lately, I’ve also been enjoying chana jor garam mixed with onions, cucumber, tomatoes and a squeeze of lemon. All of us on set enjoy it together while spending time between shots.”
Why Breakfast Gets Skipped
The actress was candid about the dietary compromises that come with long television schedules. “Honestly, I often end up skipping breakfast because my dinner is usually very late due to the shooting schedule. People say you should finish dinner by 7:00 pm, but our pack-up itself happens much later,” she explained. She added that despite the hectic routine, she still tries her best to maintain a balanced diet.
The Show That Changed Her View on Love
'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' captures the nuances of middle-class life — from family bonds and aspirations to the tug between tradition and modernity. In a recent storyline, Chouksey’s character Anu and Arya, played by actor Sharad Kelkar, finally married after navigating emotional setbacks and societal pressures.
Reflecting on the journey, Chouksey said: “When I look back at Anu’s journey, I genuinely feel she has taught me so much. There were moments when everything seemed to be falling apart for her, but she never stopped believing in love. What I admire most about Anu is that her love was never blind or impulsive; it came from trust, patience, and understanding.”
Television's Demanding Reality
Chouksey noted that the demands of daily television are particularly acute during the monsoon months, when production logistics can add further disruption to an already stretched schedule. Her experience reflects a broader reality for actors on daily soaps, where pack-up times routinely push past midnight, making conventional meal timings nearly impossible to follow.
'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' continues to air on Zee TV.
Point of View
But it points to a structural issue in Indian daily soap production — schedules that routinely breach midnight make basic wellness nearly impossible for cast and crew alike. Chouksey's candour about late dinners and disrupted meals is a rare on-record acknowledgement of conditions that are widely known but rarely discussed openly. Whether the industry takes note is another matter.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Niharika Chouksey's favourite monsoon snacks?
Niharika Chouksey says she carries dried cranberries and bhujia on set, and has recently been enjoying chana jor garam mixed with onions, cucumber, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon — a snack she shares with the rest of the cast between shots.
Why does Niharika Chouksey skip breakfast?
She skips breakfast because her dinner runs very late due to the television shooting schedule, which often sees pack-up happening well after the recommended 7:00 pm dinner time. As a result, her morning appetite is shifted significantly.
What role does Niharika Chouksey play in 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak'?
She plays Anu, a character whose journey through love, emotional setbacks, and societal pressure forms a central thread of the show. In a recent storyline, Anu married Arya, played by Sharad Kelkar.
Where does 'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' air?
'Tumm Se Tumm Tak' airs on Zee TV.
What has the role of Anu taught Niharika Chouksey personally?
Chouksey has said that playing Anu deepened her understanding of love — specifically that genuine love is rooted in trust, patience, and understanding rather than impulse or blind faith.
