Paras Kalnawat returns to TV with 'Apsara' on Star Plus after 4-year gap
Synopsis
Paras Kalnawat is back on Star Plus — nearly four years after 'Anupamaa' made him a household name. His new supernatural drama 'Apsara', rooted in the Samudra Manthan myth, premieres 21 October, and comes with a striking physical transformation: 15–18 kilos lost and a rugged new screen persona audiences haven't seen before.
Key Takeaways
Paras Kalnawat returns to Star Plus with supernatural drama 'Apsara' , premiering 21 October on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
The actor took a deliberate break from TV to explore the web space before deciding to return to the small screen.
Kalnawat lost 15–18 kilos over the past year and a half, debuting a leaner, more muscular look in the show. 'Apsara' is produced by Mukta Dhond and draws inspiration from the mythological Samudra Manthan .
The show co-stars Samiksha Jaiswal and Anushka Merchande .
Actor Paras Kalnawat, best known for his role in the long-running Star Plus drama 'Anupamaa', is set to make his return to television with the upcoming supernatural series 'Apsara', co-starring Samiksha Jaiswal and Anushka Merchande. The show premieres on 21 October on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
Why Kalnawat stepped away from TV
The actor revealed that he had deliberately taken a break from television to explore the web space, only to discover how deeply he missed the small screen. 'Returning to Star Plus after almost three to four years feels like coming back home,' Kalnawat said. 'Anupamaa gave me a big break and was a turning point in my career, so this channel will always be special to me.'
He added: 'I had taken a break from television to explore the web space, but somewhere along the way, I realised how much I missed doing TV shows. Television has been such a big part of my life, and just around that time, I got the call for Apsara.'
A transformed look for a new role
Kalnawat's return also marks a significant physical transformation. Over the past year and a half, he reportedly shed 15–18 kilos and built what he describes as a leaner, more muscular physique. 'In terms of my look, I'm trying a slightly rugged appearance on screen for the first time,' he shared. 'Apsara will be the first time audiences see me in this look, and I'm excited about that.'
What 'Apsara' is about
Produced by Mukta Dhond, the show draws its narrative inspiration from the mythological event of Samudra Manthan. The story weaves a saga where the responsibility of safeguarding the Amrit from evil forces collides with the need to protect loved ones — a blend of mythology and emotional drama that has historically performed well on primetime Hindi television.
Kalnawat spoke warmly about the collaboration: 'I've wanted to work with Mukta ma'am for a very long time, so I'm happy that it's finally happening. Working with Samiksha and Anushka has also been lovely.'
Context: mythological dramas on Indian TV
The show enters a genre that has seen renewed audience interest, with mythology-driven narratives drawing strong viewership on both linear television and streaming platforms. Notably, 'Apsara' is Kalnawat's most high-profile TV commitment since his exit from 'Anupamaa', and his return to the same broadcaster underscores the continued pull of Star Plus for established talent.
Point of View
While creatively freeing, offer neither the mass reach nor the sustained visibility that primetime TV provides. His pivot back — and the fact that Star Plus welcomed him with a lead role — suggests the channel sees value in familiar faces from its own franchise stable. The real test for 'Apsara' will be whether a mythology-action hybrid can hold primetime audiences now competing with algorithmic streaming recommendations.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Apsara' and when does it premiere?
'Apsara' is an upcoming supernatural drama on Star Plus, inspired by the mythological Samudra Manthan. It premieres on 21 October on Star Plus and JioHotstar, and stars Paras Kalnawat alongside Samiksha Jaiswal and Anushka Merchande.
Why did Paras Kalnawat take a break from TV?
Kalnawat took a break from television to explore the web (OTT) space. He later said he realised how much he missed working on TV shows, and the offer for 'Apsara' came at the right time for his return.
How is Paras Kalnawat's look different in 'Apsara'?
Kalnawat shed 15–18 kilos over roughly a year and a half and built a leaner, more muscular physique. He describes the character's appearance as slightly rugged — a look he says audiences are seeing from him for the first time.
Who is producing 'Apsara' and what is it based on?
The show is produced by Mukta Dhond and draws its story from the mythological event of Samudra Manthan, centring on the protection of the Amrit from evil forces.
What is Paras Kalnawat known for before 'Apsara'?
Kalnawat is best known for his role in 'Anupamaa' on Star Plus, which he credits as his big break and career turning point. 'Apsara' marks his return to the same channel nearly four years after that show.
