Manish Naggdev on stepping into Toshu’s shoes: 'Playing Toshu has been like a wild....'

Manish Naggdev, who has been captivating audiences with his portrayal of Toshu (Paritosh) in Anupamaa, is no stranger to the television world. Having made his debut back in 2007, Manish has had a remarkable career spanning nearly two decades. Known for his versatility, he has appeared in several successful shows, with his recent role as Toshu marking a significant point in his career. The character of Toshu was previously portrayed by Gaurav Sharma, but after the show's leap, Manish took on the role, bringing his own unique touch to the beloved character while staying true to its core.

In an exclusive conversation with India Forums, Manish opens up about his career, the changing landscape of Indian television, and his experience stepping into Toshu's shoes.

Rupali Ganguly is cool and supportive, and I have a good tuning others too

- Manish Naggdev

Looking back at your career, how have you seen the television industry change, especially in terms of roles and content?

The TV industry has changed so much since I started. In my early shows like Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, characters were either fully good or fully bad. By the grace of God, I've been fortunate to sustain a fulfilling career in the TV industry for many years.

The industry is currently in a fragile state, with only a few shows managing to leave a lasting impact. Each day, it seems more challenging to capture and maintain viewership, as there hasn't been a significant change in the type of content or roles being offered. Much of TV remains similar in style and themes.

The industry has witnessed several changes in audience preferences. How have you adapted to these changes over the years?

It's been all about staying flexible. Viewers now want something fresh and relatable. They're quick to spot fake acting. I've had to learn to step out of my comfort zone with each new role and bring a more natural touch to my characters. This has helped me stay connected with the audience. I think adapting like this has kept my work exciting and has made me a better actor.

Playing Toshu has been like a wild ride. He's a very complicated guy with a lot of ups and downs

- Manish Naggdev

What has the journey of playing Toshu been like for you so far?

Playing Toshu has been like a wild ride. He's a very complicated guy with a lot of ups and downs. It's challenging, but that's what makes it interesting. Toshu isn't perfect, he makes mistakes just like we all do, and I think people connect with that. It's been a lot of work, but seeing how viewers respond to his journey has made it worth it.

Taking over the role of Toshu midway, a character previously portrayed by another actor, how did you manage the transition, and what challenges did you face?

Taking over Toshu's role was a bit scary at first. Fans already knew him, so I wanted to respect that while making the character my own. Stepping into an established character like Toshu for the third time has been uniquely challenging, yet I'm incredibly grateful that Anupamaa's audience has embraced and even started to love my portrayal. Initially, I thought the transition would be tough, considering how connected the audience already was to the character. But now, I feel as though Toshu's journey has become mine, as if they were just revealing my past in this role.

How would you describe your chemistry and bond with the cast of Anupamaa both on and off-screen?

We spend so much time together that we've all become close. Rupali Ganguly (who plays Anupamaa) is cool and supportive, and I have a good tuning others too. We joke around a lot, and that off-screen friendship makes our on-screen scenes feel real. It's like we're all there to help each other do our best.