“Being chosen for this role feels like my mannat has been answered,” says Tanvi Dogra about the new chapter of COLORS’ ‘Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki’

COLORS’ ‘Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki’ is serving a fresh recipe of love, ambition and family drama as the show enters an exciting new chapter with Tanvi Dogra and Namik Paul stepping in as the new leads. At the heart of this story are two fiercely independent individuals whose contrasting worlds collide through their shared passion for food. Mannat Juneja (played by Tanvi Dogra), who runs her family’s Viraat Da Dhaba, believes that food is an expression of love, authenticity and memories, while Kabir Oberoi (played by Namik Paul), the owner of the upscale restaurant Mezbaani, stands for precision, innovation and perfection. As their contrasting philosophies spark a clash of cuisines, ambitions and egos, sharp banter gives way to unexpected chemistry and a connection neither anticipated. However, beneath their growing bond lie complicated pasts, family loyalties and painful truths that threaten to erupt between them. Starring Tanvi Dogra, Namik Paul, Kishori Shahane and Supriya Shukla, the show explores love, family, ambition and the possibility of finding common ground despite differences. Excited to be essaying the title role, Tanvi Dogra shares her thoughts about bringing this new chapter to life.

1. Tell us about the new chapter of Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki.
A. The new chapter of Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki has many surprises in store for the audiences. Taking on the role of Mannat Juneja has been an exciting journey for me, especially because the character has so many layers to explore. She is a strong, fearless and independent woman who is deeply rooted in her family values. For her, food is not just about cooking or running a business; it is about love, tradition, memories and the emotions attached to every dish. I find this aspect of her personality beautiful because it reflects how something as simple as food can bring people together. Her world takes an interesting turn when she crosses paths with Kabir Oberoi, whose approach to food and life is very different from hers. While Mannat believes in authenticity and preserving traditional flavours, Kabir is driven by precision, innovation and perfection. Their contrasting personalities lead to a culinary rivalry filled with sharp banter, unexpected moments and emotions neither of them sees coming. What makes Mannat’s journey even more interesting is the way she navigates her family relationships, personal challenges and the secrets that gradually unfold. As an actor, I’m excited to explore her strength, vulnerabilities and the different shades of her personality. I hope audiences connect with Mannat’s journey and enjoy watching this new chapter unfold.

2. Tell us about your character.
A. Mannat is a strong-headed, independent and compassionate woman whose life is deeply connected to her family and Viraat Da Dhaba. Coming from a middle-class Punjabi family, she carries forward her father Surinder’s love for food and sees the dhaba as much more than a business. It is a part of her identity, filled with her family’s memories, emotions and aspirations, and she is determined to preserve everything it stands for. While she comes across as fearless and confident, Mannat also has a vulnerable side, especially when it comes to her sense of responsibility towards her family and her desire to live up to her mother’s expectations. She believes that food doesn’t need to look perfect to be meaningful; what matters is the love and honesty with which it is prepared. This belief extends to her relationships as well, as she looks beyond wealth and appearances and judges people by their intentions and actions. She is someone who stands her ground and fights for what she believes in, particularly when her loved ones and their dreams are at stake. Her outlook on life and food is very different from Kabir Oberoi’s, whose world revolves around precision, innovation and perfection. Their opposing perspectives create an interesting dynamic, pushing Mannat into situations that challenge her beliefs, test her resilience and introduce her to emotions she never expected to experience.

3. How was your experience working with your co-actors on this show?
A. Working with Namik Kishori ma’am and Supriya ma’am has been such a wonderful and fun experience. Namik is an amazing co-star, and it’s been great sharing the screen with him as we bring Mannat and Kabir’s contrasting personalities to life. Supriya Ma’am, who plays my mother, is an absolute delight to work with, and sharing the screen with someone as experienced as her is a great learning experience. The entire cast has been incredibly warm and welcoming, which makes coming to the set every day so much fun. There’s always laughter, great conversations and a lovely energy on set, which makes the work even more enjoyable. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such talented actors who are not just wonderful performers but also lovely people.

*4. How did you prepare for your role in ‘Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki?*
A. I’ve always been a foodie, so when ‘Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki’ was offered to me, I was instantly excited. The storyline really stood out to me because it beautifully brings together food, family, relationships and emotions, while Mannat’s character has so much emotional depth to explore. My preparation involved understanding her deep connection with food, her family and the values she has grown up with. I wanted to understand not just her love for cooking but also the hard work, instinct and passion that go into running a dhaba. I tried my hand at dhaba-style cooking to experience the process and effort behind preparing a dish, and interacting with dhaba owners helped me understand the realities of running such an establishment and the personal stories behind it. These experiences went to show that food is so much more than recipes and ingredients; it carries memories, expresses love and brings people together.

5. Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki has been a successful show. How does it feel to carry forward its legacy?
A. Being part of a show that has connected with audiences for over 20 months is an incredible opportunity, and I’m approaching this new chapter with a lot of excitement and responsibility. Ayesha Singh and Adnan Khan have made a valuable contribution to Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki’ and I’m grateful to have the chance to take the story forward while bringing my own understanding and interpretation to Mannat Juneja. The word ‘mannat’ means a wish or a prayer, and being chosen for this role feels like my mannat has been answered. Having worked with COLORS for over three years on ‘Parineetii’, I share a wonderful bond with the channel, which has become like a second home to me. Playing Neetii was a significant part of my journey as an actor, and moving into Mannat’s world gives me the chance to step out of my comfort zone, discover new dimensions of my craft and portray a character with a completely different personality. I’m looking forward to this creative journey and hope to bring something fresh to a story that already holds a special place in the hearts of its viewers.

6. How was your experience working with Ayesha Singh and Adnan Khan, and what has it been like stepping into a show that audiences have already built such a strong emotional connection with through their performances?
A. Although we’ve only shot a few scenes and the promo together, my experience with Ayesha and Adnan has been lovely! It was so much fun sharing the screen with them, and we had a great time shooting together. Both are wonderful to work with, and I really enjoyed the energy on set. Even though our time together was brief, it was a lovely experience, and I’m glad we got the opportunity to share those moments. I think it’s always special to meet and work with actors who have been such an important part of a show’s journey, and I’m happy we got to be part of this together.

7. What message would you like to share with audiences who have loved Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki and are now looking forward to this new chapter?
A. I would first like to thank everyone who has showered Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki with so much love and continues to be emotionally invested in the show. I understand that audiences have built a special connection with the characters, and stepping into this new chapter comes with a lot of excitement and responsibility. Through Mannat Juneja, I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the story while staying true to the emotions, relationships and family values that make it special. Mannat is a girl who believes in standing up for herself, protecting her loved ones and following her heart, and I hope viewers connect with her journey as much as I have. With Namik and our wonderful cast, we are bringing a new dynamic, interesting relationships and plenty of unexpected twists to the screen. I hope audiences welcome us with open hearts, continue to enjoy the journey and give this new chapter the same affection they have always given the show. Your love and support mean a lot to us, and I can’t wait for you all to experience Mannat and Kabir’s story.

Watch ‘Mannat Har Khushi Paaane Ki’, every Monday to Sunday at 7:30 PM only on COLORS and JioHotstar.