Abhishek Malik on breaking traditions in Jamai No. 1: “Never thought I’d be doing a Griha Pravesh like this”

Marriage brings its fair share of surprises, but for Abhishek Malik’s character, Neel, in Jamai No. 1, it’s a complete role reversal! Circumstances force Neel to move into his wife Riddhi’s (played by Simaran Kaur) house, making him the ultimate Ghar Jamai. And with that comes a hilarious yet heartwarming twist—he finds himself performing all the post-marriage rituals traditionally reserved for brides!
From pushing the kalesh with his foot to stepping into kumkum leaving his footprints as he enters the house during Griha Pravesh, Neel is living the full newlywed experience—but with a twist!
Talking about his unique journey in the show, Abhishek shared, “I never imagined I’d be the one dipping my feet in kumkum and doing a grand Griha Pravesh! But that’s what makes Jamai No. 1 so refreshing. It flips expectations in the most entertaining way. These moments aren’t just fun; they make you think about why certain traditions exist. Playing Neel has been a rollercoaster, and I love every bit of it!”
Earlier, Abhishek shared, “It was a completely new experience for me. I never imagined I’d be wearing a red saree—let alone styling it as a dhoti for a muh-dikhai ceremony! While getting ready, I couldn’t stop laughing at how this challenge unfolded, but once I saw the final look, I was amazed. Honestly, it felt amazing to try something so different on Indian television. It was such a fun experience, from my own failed attempts at draping it to the laughter on set. But in the end, the saree-turned-dhoti was something new. Playing a character like Neel always allows me to step out of my comfort zone, and I love every bit of it. I’m excited to see how the audience reacts because this quirky moment is sure to stand out!”

As Neel settles into his new home, his saas Kanchan (Papia Sengupta) isn’t making things any easier. Will he survive being the Jamai No. 1, or will Kanchan have the last laugh?