Anita Kanwal: 'Banegi Apni Baat' changed Indian TV, Irrfan Khan unforgettable
Synopsis
More than 30 years on, 'Banegi Apni Baat' still resonates — and Anita Kanwal's emotional throwback post is a reminder of why. The 1993 Zee TV show was a rare piece of progressive storytelling that launched careers, including Irrfan Khan's, and Kanwal's tribute captures both the era's ambition and the irreplaceable loss of its finest talent.
Key Takeaways
Anita Kanwal shared a video clip from 'Banegi Apni Baat' on 9 June , revisiting the show on social media.
She called the series an 'epic show' that 'changed the face of Indian television.' 'Banegi Apni Baat' premiered on Zee TV in 1993 and ran until 1997 , produced by Tony and Deeya Singh .
The cast included Irrfan Khan , Divya Seth Shah , Rituraj Singh , and Raman Trikha , among others.
Kanwal described working with her co-stars as 'unforgettable' and said rewatching the show left her 'overwhelmed with emotions.'
Veteran actress Anita Kanwal revisited her landmark television show 'Banegi Apni Baat' on Monday, 9 June, sharing a video clip from the 1993 series on her social media account and paying an emotional tribute to her late co-star Irrfan Khan. The post reignited widespread nostalgia for one of Indian television's most celebrated youth dramas.
What Anita Kanwal Said
Sharing the vintage clip, Kanwal described the show as an 'epic' that 'changed the face of Indian television' and brought 'the new changing face of Indian society to people's drawing rooms.' She credited the series with earning her 'new found respect and recognition as an actress.'
Recalling her co-stars, she wrote: 'Working with stalwarts like Irrfan Khan, Divya Seth Shah, Rituraj Singh, Raman Trikha and so many other wonderful actors was unforgettable.' She also admitted that rewatching the show left her emotional, adding she felt 'a longing to do something like this again.'
About 'Banegi Apni Baat'
'Banegi Apni Baat' premiered on Zee TV in 1993 and ran until 1997, produced by Tony and Deeya Singh under DJ's Creative Unit. The show explored the lives, ambitions, friendships, and relationships of young urban Indians — a theme considered strikingly progressive for its era.
The ensemble cast, which included Irrfan Khan, Divya Seth Shah, Rituraj Singh, and Raman Trikha alongside Kanwal, went on to establish distinguished careers across television, cinema, and theatre. More than 30 years after its premiere, the show remains one of Indian television's most remembered youth-oriented dramas.
Tribute to Irrfan Khan
Kanwal's post served as a quiet but heartfelt remembrance of Irrfan Khan, who passed away in 2020 and is widely regarded as one of India's finest actors. 'Banegi Apni Baat' is among the early television projects that showcased his range before his celebrated film career.
Anita Kanwal's Career
Beyond 'Banegi Apni Baat', Kanwal has appeared in several prominent television productions over the years, including 'Shanti', 'Kittie Party', 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii', 'Ssshhhh...Koi Hai', and 'Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani'. Her Monday memory series on social media suggests she intends to revisit more milestones from her career in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Urban, aspirational voices. The show's progressive framing, now praised in retrospect, was commercially risky in 1993. That it launched careers as significant as Irrfan Khan's speaks to its casting instincts. Indian streaming platforms have yet to meaningfully mine this archive; there is an audience waiting.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Banegi Apni Baat' and when did it air?
'Banegi Apni Baat' was a youth drama that premiered on Zee TV in 1993 and ran until 1997. Produced by Tony and Deeya Singh under DJ's Creative Unit, it explored the lives, ambitions, and relationships of young urban Indians and is considered one of Indian television's most progressive shows of its era.
Why is Anita Kanwal revisiting 'Banegi Apni Baat' now?
Kanwal shared a clip from the show on 9 June as part of what she described as a 'Memory Lane Monday' series on social media. She said rewatching the show left her emotional and expressed a longing to work on something similar again.
What did Anita Kanwal say about Irrfan Khan?
Kanwal described working with Irrfan Khan as 'unforgettable,' listing him among the 'stalwarts' in the cast. The video clip she shared also featured the late actor, serving as an implicit tribute to him.
Who else was in the cast of 'Banegi Apni Baat'?
The ensemble cast included Irrfan Khan, Divya Seth Shah, Rituraj Singh, Raman Trikha, and Anita Kanwal, among others. Many cast members went on to build successful careers in television, film, and theatre.
What other shows has Anita Kanwal appeared in?
Beyond 'Banegi Apni Baat', Anita Kanwal has featured in several well-known television productions, including 'Shanti', 'Kittie Party', 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii', 'Ssshhhh...Koi Hai', and 'Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani'.
