TMKOC actress Simple Kaul on intimate scenes: 'It's part of the job'
Synopsis
TMKOC veteran Simple Kaul has drawn a sharp, public line: an actor performing a scripted intimate scene is doing their job — full stop. Her candid take on professional boundaries and relationship honesty cuts through the usual industry hedging and arrives at a moment when OTT expansion is forcing Indian television to rethink what it asks of its performers.
Key Takeaways
Simple Kaul , known for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah , says intimate scenes are a professional responsibility, not a personal one.
She stated she would have no issue if her partner performed such scenes professionally, but drew a firm line at real-life infidelity.
Kaul was unequivocal on cheating: 'Cheating is cheating.
There is no alternative definition for it.' She has appeared in over seven major Hindi TV shows including Kutumb , Shararat , and Ziddi Dil Maane Na .
Her remarks come amid growing industry debate on consent, intimacy coordination, and professional boundaries on Indian sets.
Television actress Simple Kaul, best known for her role in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), has spoken candidly about how actors should approach intimate scenes on screen, arguing that such sequences are a professional obligation rather than a personal one. Her remarks, shared in a recent interview, have sparked fresh conversation about boundaries, trust, and professionalism in the Indian television industry.
Intimate Scenes Are Professional, Not Personal
Kaul was direct in drawing a clear line between on-screen performance and off-screen relationships. 'Acting is a profession. If an actor performs a kissing scene or any other scene required by the script, that is part of the job,' she said. 'Personally, if my husband or partner had to perform such a scene professionally, I would not have a problem with it because it is work. However, having an actual relationship outside the commitment would be a completely different matter.'
Her position reflects a view increasingly voiced by television and film actors in India — that script-driven intimacy is a craft requirement, not a moral lapse. Notably, conversations around on-set intimacy coordinators and consent protocols have grown louder in the industry following broader global debates about workplace safety on set.
On Cheating and Honesty in Relationships
Kaul also addressed the industry's ongoing reckoning with infidelity and trust. 'Cheating is cheating. There is no alternative definition for it,' she said plainly. 'If two people truly love each other, they should remain honest and committed. If distractions arise, it is important to address them honestly rather than ignore them. If someone does not want commitment, then they are free to live their life accordingly. But honesty is essential in any serious relationship.'
The remarks come amid recurring public discussions in the Hindi television world about relationships within the industry, where long shooting hours and close working environments are often cited as factors that test personal commitments.
Simple Kaul's Career in Indian Television
Kaul has built a substantial body of work across more than two decades in Indian television. She has appeared in popular shows including Kutumb, Shararat, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Oye Jassie, Yam Hain Hum, Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls, and Ziddi Dil Maane Na. Her longevity in a competitive industry lends weight to her perspective on the professional demands actors routinely navigate.
Why This Conversation Matters
The debate around intimate scenes in Indian television is not merely personal — it touches on how the industry defines professionalism, consent, and creative freedom. As more shows on OTT platforms push content boundaries, the lines between what is expected of television actors versus digital-platform performers are increasingly blurred. Kaul's remarks offer a grounded, experience-backed take on where those lines should sit. The conversation is unlikely to end here.
Point of View
The expectations placed on actors are shifting fast — often without updated consent frameworks or industry-wide protocols to match. Kaul speaks from experience, and her clarity is useful. What the industry still lacks is a formal mechanism to back that clarity up.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Simple Kaul say about intimate scenes in TV?
Simple Kaul said that performing intimate scenes is a professional responsibility for actors, not a personal matter. She stated that if the script demands a kissing scene or any intimate sequence, it is simply part of the job.
What did Simple Kaul say about cheating and relationships?
Kaul said cheating has no alternative definition and that honesty is essential in any serious relationship. She distinguished clearly between professional on-screen intimacy and real-life infidelity outside a committed relationship.
Why are Simple Kaul's remarks significant for the TV industry?
Her comments arrive at a time when OTT expansion is pushing content boundaries in Indian entertainment, raising questions about what actors can be asked to perform and what consent and professional protocols should look like on set.
Which TV shows has Simple Kaul appeared in?
Simple Kaul has appeared in Kutumb, Shararat, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Oye Jassie, Yam Hain Hum, Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls, and Ziddi Dil Maane Na, among others.
