Vijayendra Kumeria on Indian TV: 'Saas-bahu era is over, new concepts are in'
Synopsis
Vijayendra Kumeria says Indian TV's saas-bahu era is definitively over — and his show 'Juhi Mui', which puts an autistic woman at the centre of primetime drama on Colors, is his evidence. It is a rare mainstream bet on neurodiversity, and Kumeria believes it will push other makers to follow.
Key Takeaways
Vijayendra Kumeria says the 'kitchen drama' and 'saas-bahu' era on Indian television is over, with audiences and makers both embracing unconventional concepts.
His show 'Juhi Mui' , airing on Colors , centres on Juhi Suri , a young autistic woman navigating grief and societal misunderstanding.
Kumeria made his television debut in 2011 after leaving a civil aviation career to pursue acting.
Co-star Eisha Singh and Kumeria both highlight overprotection as a key theme — arguing it can hinder rather than help people with autism.
Neurodiversity-centred narratives remain rare in Indian primetime, making 'Juhi Mui' one of the few mainstream attempts in this space.
Television actor Vijayendra Kumeria says Indian small-screen audiences have moved well beyond the era of 'kitchen dramas' and 'saas-bahu' serials, welcoming a new wave of unconventional storytelling that is reshaping what viewers expect from primetime television. The actor was speaking about his latest show 'Juhi Mui', currently airing on Colors, which follows the journey of a young autistic woman navigating life after the loss of her father.
The Shift in Indian Television
'Gone are those days when people used to watch only kitchen drama or they were looking for something saas, bahu types,' Kumeria said. He noted that both makers and performers are now actively embracing concepts that would have been considered too niche or risky a decade ago. 'People also want to watch new concepts, and makers are also making new concepts, and we actors are also open to do new things,' he added.
Kumeria, who made his television debut in 2011 after leaving a career in civil aviation to pursue acting — a decision he had to convince his parents to support — said shows like 'Juhi Mui' could inspire other creators to explore similarly underrepresented stories.
What 'Juhi Mui' Is About
The show centres on Juhi Suri, a brilliant young autistic woman whose sharp mind becomes her greatest strength in a world that routinely misunderstands her. In the current narrative arc, Juhi grapples with grief after losing her father — the one person who shielded her from society's harsher judgements. The show is notable for placing neurodiversity at the heart of its drama rather than treating it as a subplot.
Stories built around neurodiversity remain rare on Indian television, making 'Juhi Mui' one of the few mainstream attempts to centre an autistic protagonist in a primetime slot.
On Overprotection and Letting Go
Kumeria also reflected on a key theme running through the show — the tension between protection and freedom. 'Overprotective... you should give them some space, some wings to fly, and sometimes more care, intensive care or more protection is dangerous. It can hinder your progress,' he said, echoing sentiments his co-star Eisha Singh had also expressed.
He credited the show's creators for choosing a concept that challenges audiences while remaining emotionally accessible — and expressed confidence that it would encourage other makers to follow suit.
What This Means for Inclusivity on Screen
The emergence of shows like 'Juhi Mui' reflects a broader, gradual shift in Hindi general entertainment channels, where audience fragmentation — driven partly by OTT competition — has pushed broadcasters to experiment with formats and themes beyond domestic melodrama. Kumeria believes this is not a passing trend. 'There are going to be a lot of concepts which are going to be different than they used to be,' he said. 'Makers will get inspired by watching shows like these.'
Whether 'Juhi Mui' sustains its ratings will be a key indicator of how far audience appetite for neurodiversity narratives has genuinely grown on mainstream Indian television.
Point of View
But the proof will be in the ratings. Indian GEC channels have long paid lip service to 'new concepts' while quietly reverting to domestic melodrama the moment numbers dip. 'Juhi Mui' is a genuine outlier — an autistic lead in a primetime slot is not a small creative bet. But the show's commercial performance will determine whether this is a real inflection point or a well-intentioned experiment that gets quietly shelved. The OTT pressure on linear TV is real, and that pressure may finally be doing what years of audience feedback could not: forcing broadcasters to diversify beyond the kitchen.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Juhi Mui' about?
'Juhi Mui' is a Colors television show that follows Juhi Suri, a young autistic woman whose sharp mind is her greatest strength in a world that often misunderstands her. The current storyline sees her coping with the loss of her father, who had been her primary protector.
Who is Vijayendra Kumeria?
Vijayendra Kumeria is an Indian television actor who made his debut on the small screen in 2011. Before acting, he worked in civil aviation and left that career to pursue entertainment, convincing his parents to support the switch.
Why is 'Juhi Mui' considered different from typical Indian TV shows?
The show places an autistic protagonist at the centre of its primetime narrative, a rarity on Indian general entertainment channels where domestic melodrama has historically dominated. Kumeria says it reflects a broader industry shift toward unconventional concepts.
What channel does 'Juhi Mui' air on?
'Juhi Mui' airs on Colors, one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment channels.
Who else stars in 'Juhi Mui' alongside Vijayendra Kumeria?
Eisha Singh co-stars in the show. Both actors have spoken about the theme of overprotection and the importance of giving individuals with autism space and independence to grow.
