Nausheen Ali Sardar, Anuj Saxena reunite for Diwali, revive Kkusum nostalgia
Synopsis
More than two decades after Kkusum first aired, Nausheen Ali Sardar and Anuj Saxena brought Kusum and Abhay back to life — not on screen, but at a Diwali party in Mumbai. With Rucha Gujarathi and other cast members joining in and the group dancing to 'Bole Chudiyan', the reunion video has reignited affection for one of Balaji Telefilms' most beloved early-2000s sagas.
Key Takeaways
Nausheen Ali Sardar and Anuj Saxena reunited for a Diwali celebration in Mumbai , reviving memories of their iconic roles in Kkusum .
Nausheen shared a video on social media captioned 'Abhay Kusum' Laughter is Infectious , which quickly resonated with fans.
Actress Rucha Gujarathi , who played Kali in the show, was also part of the reunion celebrations.
The group danced to 'Bole Chudiyan' from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... during the festivities.
Kkusum , produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms , aired from May 2001 to November 2005 and remains a touchstone of early Indian television.
Actors Nausheen Ali Sardar and Anuj Saxena — television's beloved Kusum and Abhay Kapoor from the iconic daily soap Kkusum — came together for a Diwali celebration in Mumbai, rekindling memories of one of Indian television's most cherished on-screen pairings. Nausheen shared glimpses of the festive get-together on her social media, sending fans of the early 2000s show on a vivid trip down memory lane.
The Reunion That Lit Up Social Media
In the video posted by Nausheen, she is seen dressed in a blue saree while Anuj cuts a dapper figure in a black suit with a white shirt. The two are seen smiling, dancing, and posing together — effortlessly bringing back the warmth of their much-loved screen chemistry. Nausheen captioned the video: 'Abhay Kusum' Laughter is Infectious, pairing it with hashtags including #kkusum, #soulmate, #familia, #nostalgia, and #friendsforever.
The Kkusum Family Joins In
The reunion was not limited to the lead pair. Actress Rucha Gujarathi, who played Kali — Kusum and Abhay's daughter in the show — was also among those seen celebrating. The group eventually grooved to 'Bole Chudiyan' from the 1990s blockbuster Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., adding another layer of nostalgia to the gathering.
About Kkusum: A Show That Defined an Era
Kkusum, produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, premiered in May 2001 and aired for nearly four years before concluding in November 2005. The show centred on Kusum Deshmukh, a hardworking middle-class woman who marries wealthy businessman Abhay Kapoor. It wove together themes of class differences, family pressures, and personal betrayal, earning a devoted national viewership. The title track 'Main Kkusum' became a cultural touchstone in its own right.
Cast Changes and Legacy
Following a generation leap in the narrative, the story shifted focus to Kusum's daughters — Kumud, played by Aashka Goradia, and Kali, played by Rucha Gujarathi. The show underwent several cast transitions during its run: Nausheen was eventually replaced by Manasi Joshi Roy, with Shilpa Saklani also portraying Kusum at a later stage. Other notable names associated with the show included Manav Gohil, Shweta Kawatra, Sandeep Rajora, Poonam Narula, and Chetan Hansraj.
The Diwali reunion serves as a reminder of how deeply Kkusum is embedded in the memories of an entire generation of Indian television viewers — and that the bonds forged on set have endured well beyond the final episode.
Point of View
Creating a shared cultural memory that social media now reactivates with remarkable efficiency. Nausheen and Anuj's video is a low-effort, high-impact content moment, but it also underlines how thoroughly streaming has displaced the sentimental gravity that once belonged exclusively to primetime television. The fact that a clip from a Diwali party can trend harder than a new show's launch trailer should give broadcasters pause.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Nausheen Ali Sardar and Anuj Saxena?
Nausheen Ali Sardar and Anuj Saxena are Indian television actors best known for playing Kusum Deshmukh and Abhay Kapoor respectively in the popular daily soap Kkusum, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television from 2001 to 2005. Their on-screen chemistry made them one of the most celebrated couples in early Indian television.
What is Kkusum and when did it air?
Kkusum was a daily soap produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms that premiered in May 2001 and concluded in November 2005, running for nearly four years. The show followed Kusum Deshmukh, a middle-class woman who marries wealthy businessman Abhay Kapoor, navigating class differences, family conflict, and personal betrayal.
Who else was part of the Kkusum Diwali reunion?
Actress Rucha Gujarathi, who played Kali — the daughter of Kusum and Abhay in the show — was among the cast members who joined the Diwali celebration. The group was seen dancing together and grooving to 'Bole Chudiyan' from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
What happened to Nausheen Ali Sardar's character Kusum in the show?
Nausheen played the titular character Kusum in the initial years of the show. Following a generation leap in the storyline, she was eventually replaced by Manasi Joshi Roy, with Shilpa Saklani also portraying the role at a later stage.
What other actors were associated with Kkusum?
Besides Nausheen Ali Sardar and Anuj Saxena, the show featured Aashka Goradia as Kumud, Rucha Gujarathi as Kali, Manav Gohil, Shweta Kawatra, Sandeep Rajora, Poonam Narula, and Chetan Hansraj among its notable cast members across its four-year run.
