Neena Gupta, who spent years turning Khichdi‑style pratfalls into a national pastime, just inked a deal for Chumbak— a sitcom that turns a bungalow into a battleground for love and laughter. The series, set in a tight‑knit colony, follows five couples juggling marriage, money and the occasional drama over a shared kitchen.
When JD and Aatish Kapadia walked her through the script, Gupta said, “I said yes immediately because I really loved the character and the whole concept of five couples living in this colony.” Her love for comedy and the chance to work with the Khichdi and Sarabhai‑vs‑Sarabhai crew sealed the deal.
Shooting was a slice of Bollywood on a small scale. “The shooting was amazing. These are very nice people, and there was food, khana‑peena, all the time. The atmosphere on set was very friendly,” she laughs. Lunches were communal, with everyone pooling snacks instead of retreating to individual vanettes, and the camaraderie lingered long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Gupta’s character isn’t a rebel; she’s a woman who keeps one eye on her ailing husband while carving out her own space. “I especially like my character because she is not a rebel. She still wants to look after her spouse, who is not well, but she also wants to have her own life,” she explains. The role explores the modern Indian marriage where independence and interdependence dance together.
The veteran also salutes Helly Shah’s Twinkle, saying, “I loved Helly when I saw her performance. I wasn’t present during the shoot, but I think she did a commendable job by believing in the character she was playing.” She credits director Aatish for giving the cast freedom to own their roles, noting, “All the actors believed in their characters because of the director’s clarity and openness.”
With its blend of humor, heart and social commentary, Chumbak promises a fresh spin on the sitcom genre. Tune in to Zee TV and watch Neena Gupta turn everyday chores into comedy gold while keeping the drama of love alive.