Angad Hasija on Bidaai at 15: 'Fans still call me Alekh'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Television actor Angad Hasija has opened up about the enduring emotional connection he shares with Alekh Rajvansh, his beloved character from the iconic family drama 'Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai' — revealing that fans continue to address him by that name even 15 years after the show first aired.
A Character That Never Left
Hasija took to his social media account on 30 June to share a heartfelt note reflecting on the role that defined a generation of Indian television viewers. In his post, he wrote, 'There are some characters that never leave your heart, no matter how many years pass. For me, Aalekh has always been one of them.'
The actor recalled the moment his producer Prateek Sharma approached him for his current show, saying the brief was simple: 'We want the Aalekh people once loved.' Hasija described being 'genuinely overwhelmed' by those words, adding, 'Aalekh has given me so much love, so many memories, and an unbreakable bond with all of you. Even today, so many people still call me Aalekh — and that is a blessing I will always cherish.'
Returning After 15 Years: Nervous but Grateful
Hasija admitted that reprising the essence of the character came with its own anxieties. 'Coming back to this character after 15 years was an emotional journey. I was excited, but I was also nervous. Somewhere deep inside, I wondered if people would connect with him again the way they once did,' he wrote.
The audience response, however, appears to have put those doubts to rest. 'By God's grace, the love has returned, and my heart is filled with gratitude,' he said, adding that seeing a challenging role embraced with such affection is 'nothing more fulfilling' for an actor.
Yashvardhan: Alekh's Spiritual Successor
Hasija is currently seen in 'Tum Se Tum Tak', where he plays Yashvardhan — a character that his producer conceived as a spiritual echo of Alekh. While expressing gratitude to fans, Hasija also signalled a new chapter: 'Aalekh will always be a part of me... but now, it's time for Yashvardhan to create his own story.'
About 'Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai'
Produced by Rajan Shahi under Director's Kut Productions, 'Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai' premiered on 8 October 2007 and ran until 13 November 2010. The show featured an ensemble cast including Ssara Khan, Parul Chauhan, Kinshuk Mahajan, Alok Nath, Vibha Chibber, Seema Kapoor, and Ashita Dhawan.
Hasija's portrayal of Alekh — a kind-hearted man with cognitive and developmental challenges — earned widespread critical and audience acclaim, cementing his place as one of the more memorable performances of that era in Hindi television. The fact that fans still associate his face with that role, a decade and a half later, is a rare testament to the show's cultural staying power.