Mumbai: Hiba Nawab is making her return to television with Chudail Chali Sasural, a light-hearted fantasy comedy that gives the actor an opportunity to step back into a genre she says she had been missing.
The show draws inspiration from the popular 1990s sitcom Bewitched, but Hiba believes viewers will find a distinct identity in the new series. Rather than presenting a conventional frightening witch, Chudail Chali Sasural introduces a more approachable and affectionate version of the supernatural character.
Hiba Nawab says Chudail Chali Sasural has its own identity
Addressing comparisons with Bewitched, Hiba acknowledged that comparisons are natural but stressed that the new show is not a direct reproduction of the original.
“Comparisons are inevitable, but this isn’t a copy-paste adaptation. It’s inspired by the original while telling its own story,” she said.
For Hiba, one of the show’s biggest differences is the way it presents its central supernatural character. Instead of relying on the familiar visual traits associated with a scary witch, the series takes a lighter and more entertaining approach.
“What makes it even more exciting is that this isn’t the typical scary witch people are used to seeing, with long nails, messy hair and a frightening appearance. She’s a lovable chudail,” the actor added.
That unusual treatment of the character is also expected to bring a different flavour to the show’s family-oriented comedy.
Hiba Nawab returns to comedy after Jhanak
The new series marks Hiba’s return to comedy after her stint in Jhanak, where she was seen in a more intense dramatic setting.
Hiba said she had been hoping to return to comedy after completing the show. She recalled telling her co-stars that she wanted her next project to be a comedy.
“I had really missed comedy. After wrapping up Jhanak, I remember telling my co-actors that I wanted my next project to be a comedy,” she said.
Interestingly, the actor feels the way her next opportunity arrived was almost like a manifestation of that wish. She had been in discussions for family dramas, but those projects did not eventually materialise.
“I feel I manifested it because the family dramas I was in talks for didn’t materialise,” Hiba said.
‘I felt I had forgotten how to do comedy’
Despite wanting to return to the genre, Hiba admitted that she initially had some doubts about stepping back into comedy.
Having spent several years working in emotionally intense dramas, she wondered whether she had lost touch with the rhythm and style required for comedy.
“I was a little nervous because, after spending the past few years in an intense drama space, I felt I had forgotten how to do comedy,” she said.
Those concerns, however, disappeared once filming began. According to Hiba, the process of performing comedy started feeling natural again.
“But once I started shooting, it all came back naturally,” she added.
Hiba says she doesn’t want to be limited by one kind of role
Although Chudail Chali Sasural gives Hiba the chance to play an unconventional supernatural character, the actor does not want to restrict herself to one particular interpretation of a role.
She said she would also consider playing a more traditional witch if the writing and character development were strong enough.
“If the story is engaging and I’m convinced by the script, I’ll enjoy playing the character. And if I feel the role will help me grow as an actor, I would happily take it up,” Hiba said.
For the actor, the quality of the story and the opportunity to evolve professionally matter more than whether a character fits a particular image.
Hiba Nawab on relationships and growing older
Away from her professional choices, Hiba also reflected on how her outlook towards relationships and life has changed with age.
The actor said she once believed she would have her life completely figured out by the time she reached 26. Now 29, she has become more comfortable with uncertainty and feels there is no fixed timeline for understanding life.
“When I was younger, I thought I’d have life completely figured out by the time I turned 26. I’m 29 now, and I feel I’ll probably still be figuring things out even at 50,” she said.
Hiba also revealed that she no longer approaches relationships with the rigid checklist she once had.
“Earlier, I had a fixed checklist of what I wanted, but now I prefer going with the flow. I want to love myself, hopefully find someone to share my life with, and grow together,” she said.
The actor believes that experience has made her more patient and thoughtful, while also recognising that personal growth remains an ongoing process.
“I think I’ve become wiser with time, but I’m still learning,” she said.
With Chudail Chali Sasural, Hiba Nawab is now returning to a lighter television space while taking on a character that allows her to explore comedy and fantasy. Her comments suggest that the project is not only a genre change after Jhanak, but also another step in her effort to keep her acting choices varied.
