Anita Kanwal slams financial crisis reports: 'I am not in a mess'
Synopsis
At 4:45 AM, 'Sasural Genda Phool' actress Anita Kanwal posted a video refuting media reports of financial crisis — saying a six-month-old interview answer was twisted to make it look like she was begging for money. She says she's earning, has a new film, brand deals, and has independently produced a 25-episode Instagram drama series.
Key Takeaways
Anita Kanwal issued a video message at 4:45 AM on 21 October 2026 strongly denying reports of financial crisis.
She says the controversy stems from a six-month-old interview that was taken out of context.
Kanwal acknowledged some wrong investments in the past but insisted she can financially sustain herself for the next 10 years .
She has since secured a new film , Instagram brand collaborations , and independently produced a 25-episode micro-drama reel series .
The actress cited the example of Amitabh Bachchan to highlight what she called a gendered double standard in media coverage.
Veteran television actress Anita Kanwal, best known for her role in 'Sasural Genda Phool', has strongly refuted circulating media reports claiming she is in financial distress, saying the coverage is based on a six-month-old interview that has been taken out of context and presented sensationally. The actress made her displeasure known through a video message, recorded at 4:45 AM, in which she said the reports had caused her significant emotional distress.
The Interview That Sparked the Controversy
According to Kanwal, the reports stem from an interview she gave approximately six months ago, in which she was asked how long she could sustain herself financially without work. Her response — that she could manage for one to one-and-a-half years — was, she says, repackaged by some news outlets to suggest she was appealing for public financial support.
'This has been presented as sensational news, as if people think that I am asking money from them,' she said in the video. She drew a pointed comparison to Amitabh Bachchan, noting that when Bachchan reportedly approached filmmaker Yash Chopra during a difficult phase, no similar criticism was levelled at him. 'Today, everyone is saying that actresses are like this only,' she remarked.
What Kanwal Says About Her Finances
The actress was emphatic that her financial situation is under control. She acknowledged making some 'wrong investments' in the past but said that was a common experience and did not define her current standing. 'I belong to a very respectable and affluent family. Yes, there were some wrong investments, which happen to everyone. I still have the strength to earn. I have so much strength that even today I can manage my next 10 years,' she stated.
She also clarified that she does not wish to become financially dependent on her children and urged media outlets to stop what she called the defamation of her name.
Her Career Revival and New Projects
Kanwal highlighted that her professional situation has improved considerably since the interview in question. She said she has begun posting reels on Instagram, secured a film, and is now receiving brand collaborations on the platform. Notably, she claims to have independently produced a 25-episode micro-drama reel series — without the backing of any television channel or OTT platform — which she describes as a first of its kind in India.
'Why aren't news channels talking about it?' she asked, questioning why her entrepreneurial work on social media has received less attention than the financial crisis narrative.
Anita Kanwal's Career Span
Kanwal has been a familiar face on Indian television and cinema for several decades. Her television credits include acclaimed shows such as 'Chanakya', 'Shanti', 'Banegi Apni Baat', 'Sonpari', 'Sasural Genda Phool', 'Gustakh Dil', and 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai'. On the big screen, she has appeared alongside Shah Rukh Khan in 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa' and with Ajay Devgn in 'Gangaajal'. Her other film credits include 'Laawaris', 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge!', and 'Na Tum Jaano Na Hum'.
As the backlash from media coverage continues, Kanwal appears focused on pivoting her career through digital platforms — and on reclaiming her own narrative before others define it for her.
Point of View
Recycled months later, and amplified as crisis content. Kanwal's frustration is understandable — the 'actress in financial trouble' story is a well-worn template that rarely applies the same scrutiny to male contemporaries, as her Amitabh Bachchan reference pointedly illustrates. What gets buried in the noise is the more interesting story: a veteran actress quietly building a self-funded digital content venture without platform or network support. That deserves coverage on its own terms.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anita Kanwal say about reports of her financial crisis?
Anita Kanwal denied being in a financial crisis, calling the media coverage sensationalised and misleading. She said a six-month-old interview answer about financial planning was reframed to suggest she was seeking money from the public, which she described as deeply hurtful.
What was the interview that triggered the controversy?
About six months before October 2026, Kanwal gave an interview in which she was asked how long she could manage without work. She said one to one-and-a-half years — a hypothetical answer that was later reported as evidence of a financial crisis, which she strongly disputes.
What is Anita Kanwal currently working on?
Kanwal says she has secured a new film, is receiving brand collaboration offers on Instagram, and has independently produced a 25-episode micro-drama reel series on the platform — without any channel or OTT support, which she calls a first in India.
What shows and films is Anita Kanwal known for?
Kanwal is known for decades of work in Indian television, including 'Sasural Genda Phool', 'Chanakya', 'Shanti', 'Sonpari', and 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai'. On film, she appeared in 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa' with Shah Rukh Khan and 'Gangaajal' with Ajay Devgn.
Why did Anita Kanwal mention Amitabh Bachchan in her video message?
Kanwal referenced Amitabh Bachchan to highlight what she sees as a gendered double standard in media coverage. She noted that when Bachchan reportedly faced financial difficulties and approached Yash Chopra for work, it was not treated with the same negative framing that she is now experiencing.
