Shabir Ahluwalia, long known for his intense and brooding characters, is switching lanes. This time, he’s stepping into a world of laughter and chaos with Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil, a lighthearted family rom-com. For the actor, it’s a fresh playground, and he seems eager to explore its many shades. Taking on his first show built entirely around comedy, Shabir admits it’s a challenge, but one he’s welcomed with open arms.
He believes comedy is far from easy. In fact, he calls it one of the most demanding genres to pull off. Yet, it somehow feels like second nature to him. He describes his character Yug as a man living in a wonderfully mad world filled with two constantly bickering families, an unpredictable love story, and humor that grows naturally from everyday situations. There’s no room for forced jokes or over-the-top gags here, something Shabir finds refreshing.
Opposite him in the show is Ashi Singh, a young actress with a steadily growing presence on television. The noticeable age gap between them could have been awkward, but Shabir insists it never became an issue. Building a comfortable rapport on set, according to him, is simpler than it seems. He shares that Ashi is an easygoing person. The moment you trade a few jokes, laugh together, and exchange some casual high-fives, the walls come down. From there, it stops being about Shabir and Ashi, and becomes entirely about Yug and Kairi, their on-screen personas. He points out that once the camera starts rolling, personal details fade away. What truly matters is stepping into character and letting the story take over.
Shabir has always believed in working within a relaxed and equal environment. He openly dismisses the idea of hierarchy and seniority on set. He prefers everyone being at ease, sharing light moments, and occasionally cracking jokes at each other’s expense, himself included. In his words, “I like to keep everyone happy on the set and don’t believe in flaunting my seniority. I don’t mind them cracking jokes with or on me. I do the same with them.” For him, a show thrives on collective effort, not individual dominance. A single character, no matter how compelling, can’t carry an entire series alone.
He strongly feels that differences or personal conflicts tend to creep into performances, especially in scenes where chemistry is crucial. Maintaining good relationships off-camera makes a visible difference on-screen. He values healthy collaborations and knows that comfort among cast members ensures scenes feel genuine. For Shabir, the ability to shed real-world labels like age, experience, or popularity once the camera is on, is what makes a performance work.
He further mentions that what people bring to a scene isn’t their seniority but their performance. “Nowhere in those scenes will the age difference, seniority, experience, or popularity show.What ultimately matters is how well you perform in a scene.” That, he says, is why waving around seniority never benefits anyone.
Having been in the industry long enough to see its highs and pressures, Shabir understands how expectations can weigh down a project. However, he’s learned to be selective about what deserves his attention. He admits he obviously wants the show to succeed but refuses to burden himself with what lies beyond his reach. He prefers focusing on what he can influence, whether it’s how to deliver a line or how to style his hair for a particular scene. The rest, he says, is out of his hands. In his words, “I focus on what’s in my control and stay hopeful about what isn’t.”
As Ufff…Yeh Love Hai Mushkil readies itself for viewers, Shabir seems poised, blending humor and heart in equal measure, ready to trade his signature glare for a hearty laugh.
