“My entire career has been a prep for this show,” says Namik Paul on 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 Namik Paul and Tanvi Dogra stepping in as the new leads. At the heart of this story are two fiercely independent individuals whose contrasting worlds collide through their shared connection with food. Kabir Oberoi (played by Namik Paul), the owner of the upscale restaurant Mezbaani, believes in precision, innovation and perfection, while Mannat Juneja (played by Tanvi Dogra), who runs her family’s Viraat Da Dhaba, sees food as an expression of love, authenticity and tradition. As their contrasting philosophies spark a clash of cuisines, ambitions and egos, their rivalry gives way to unexpected moments and emotions neither anticipated. However, beneath this clash lie complicated family relationships, personal guilt and secrets that threaten to change their lives. Speaking about the thrill of stepping into this new chapter of ‘Mannat – Har Khushi Paane Ki’, Namik Paul opens up about bringing Kabir Oberoi to life, with as many shades as possible.

1. *Tell us about the new chapter of Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki. What can audiences look forward to?*
A. This new chapter brings together two people who see the world very differently. Kabir Oberoi, the character I’m essaying is an ambitious entrepreneur who believes in precision and perfection, while Mannat is a fearless dhaba owner who values tradition and the emotions attached to food. Their worlds collide when Viraat Da Dhaba and Mezbaani find themselves competing against each other. But this rivalry goes beyond food, with complicated family relationships, personal guilt and secrets connecting their lives in unexpected ways. As their paths cross, both Kabir and Mannat find themselves in situations they never anticipated. I think audiences will enjoy the clashes between these two very different personalities and the twists that unfold as their stories come together.

2. *Tell us about your character.*
A. Kabir is an ambitious and disciplined entrepreneur who has built his identity around his professional success. He likes being in control, sets high standards for himself and expects the same commitment from the people around him. However, there’s a lot more to him than his confident exterior suggests. His complicated past and deep sense of responsibility towards the family that raised him have a strong influence on his decisions and relationships. What makes Kabir interesting is the contrast between the successful businessman everyone sees and the person he is when it comes to his personal life. As his story unfolds, audiences will get to understand the experiences that have shaped him and discover the more vulnerable side of his personality.

3. *Kabir and Mannat have very different approaches to food and life. How will their contrasting personalities shape their equation?*
A. For Kabir, food is about precision, innovation and getting every detail right, while Mannat believes in tradition, instinct and the warmth that goes into preparing a meal. Naturally, they have very different ideas about what makes food special, and that becomes a point of conflict when Viraat Da Dhaba and Mezbaani go head-to-head. Kabir is used to doing things his way, but Mannat isn’t someone who will simply agree with him, which makes their interactions quite interesting. Their biggest difference is that Kabir believes perfection comes from getting every detail right, while Mannat believes it’s the love behind the food that matters most. This contrast brings plenty of clashes and unexpected moments, and I’m looking forward to audiences seeing how their equation develops.

4. *How did you prepare for your role as Kabir, who runs a high-end fine-dining restaurant?*
A. I wanted to understand the world of fine dining better, from the importance of consistency and presentation to the attention to detail that goes into running a high-end restaurant. I love travelling and trying different cuisines, so my own interest in food helped me connect with this aspect of the character. Kabir takes his work very seriously and has high expectations of himself and the people around him, which is quite different from Mannat’s more instinctive and traditional approach to food. Beyond his professional life, I also wanted to understand how his past and his responsibilities towards his family influence his decisions and relationships. For me, the interesting part of playing Kabir is balancing the perfectionist everyone sees with the person he is away from his professional world. I’ve mostly played serious roles. So my entire career has been a prep for this show.

5. *Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki has already built a strong connection with audiences. How do you approach taking its legacy forward while bringing your own touch to the story?*
A. When a show has already received so much love, you understand the responsibility that comes with being part of its next chapter. Ayesha Singh and Adnan Khan have created a special place for Manvik in the audience’s hearts, and I think it’s important to respect that journey while bringing my own interpretation to Kabir. Having been a part of Naagin on COLORS, returning to the channel feels familiar, but this is a completely new journey for me. As an actor, I’m excited to explore Kabir’s personality, emotions and vulnerabilities and make the character my own. You want to respect the journey audiences have already connected with while giving them a new character they can discover and connect with in their own way. I hope viewers enjoy getting to know Kabir and embrace this chapter with the same affection they have shown the show.

6. *What has been the most exciting aspect of playing Kabir?*
A. What excites me most about playing Kabir is that there are so many layers to him. From the outside, he seems like someone who has everything sorted, with his ambition, professional success and ability to stay in control. But there’s a lot happening beneath that exterior, including his complicated past and the responsibilities he carries towards his family. I find that contrast interesting because we often form opinions about people based on what we see, without knowing what they might be dealing with privately. Kabir has taught me that there’s often much more to a person than what they choose to show the world. Exploring these different sides of him and understanding how his experiences shape his choices has been one of the most rewarding parts of playing this character.

7. *What message would you like to share with audiences as they welcome you as Kabir in Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki?*
A. I’d like to thank everyone for the love they’ve given Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki and for continuing to be part of its journey. We’re bringing a fresh story with new relationships, family emotions, ambition and plenty of unexpected turns. Kabir is someone with a lot going on beneath the surface, and I’m excited for audiences to discover his journey and see how his life changes as he crosses paths with Mannat. I hope viewers give this character a chance and enjoy seeing the different sides of him as the story unfolds. I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with everyone and hope audiences continue to shower the show with their love and support.

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