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‘What’s wrong with my wife being more famous, successful?’ asks Parmeet Sethi: ‘Archana Puran Singh is the judge of the biggest Indian show’

In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Parmeet also recalled the time when he was better known than his wife for his roles in DDLJ and Dastaan.

Parmeet Sethi takes a stand for Archana Puran Singh

Parmeet Sethi defends wife Archana Puran Singh (Photos; Parmeet Sethi / Instagram)

Back in 1995, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol became everyone’s favourite after the release of Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge. While Raj and Simran became a household name, so did the character of Kuljeet, played by actor Parmeet Sethi. The romantic drama marked his acting debut with him playing Kajol’s arrogant fiance in the film. Over the years, Parmeet took a backseat as an actor, and people eventually forgot his name. Meanwhile, his wife, Archana Puran Singh gained immense fame through her appearance as a judge on reality shows like Comedy Circus and The Kapil Sharma show. Her laughter became her identity. With Archana being more famous among her audience, Parmeet recently shared if it ever bothers him with his sons often joking about him being recognised as Archana’s husband in their vlogs.

In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Parmeet said he finds the comparison between him and his wife “extremely funny”. He said, “You need to understand the public. I at least have the understanding that the person who is working more, seen more, is eventually recognised more. That is a given. Archana is the judge of India’s biggest show (The Great Indian Kapil Show). So its obvious that people will know her more.”

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He recalled the time when he was better known than his wife. “There was also a time when I did shows and films like Dastaan and DDLJ, when people knew me, would spot me and be like, ‘Arey yaar, yeh toh Parmeet Sethi hai, Kuljeet hai yeh toh’. At that time, Archana was a little bit in the background because at that point in time she was less active as an actor. These ups and downs are very normal. If today, I decide to get into daily soaps, I will reach every Indian household and people will know me by face and name.”

Watch the full interview here:

Parmeet said he took a conscious decision of leaving the screen and going behind the cameras as it is something he enjoys more than acting. “I am not very obsessed with wanting to be recognised and known by others. I mostly enjoy writing and directing, so these things don’t really matter to me. I laugh at it. I take it very lightly, hence we joke about it. Also, what is the problem in my wife being more famous and successful than me? It is a great thing. What’s wrong in this? Archana and I don’t have anything such in between us. We enjoy ourselves and we have that understanding.”

Parmeet Sethi married actress Archana Puran Singh back in 1992. They kept their marriage a secret for at least 8 years until Archana got pregnant with their first child.

Jyothi Jha

Jyothi Jha is an incisive Copy Editor and multi-platform journalist at The Indian Express, where she specializes in high-stakes entertainment reporting and cinematic analysis. With over six years of diverse experience across India’s leading media houses, she brings a rigorous, ethics-first approach to digital storytelling and editorial curation. Experience & Career Jyothi’s career is characterized by its breadth and depth across the media landscape. Before joining the editorial team at The Indian Express, she honed her expertise covering the entertainment beat for premier national broadcasters, including NDTV, Republic Media, and TV9. Her professional journey is not limited to digital text; she has a proven track record as an on-air anchor and has successfully managed production teams within the high-pressure segments of Politics and Daily News. This 360-degree view of newsroom operations allows her to navigate the complexities of modern journalism with veteran precision. Expertise & Focus Areas Guided by the Orwellian principle that "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do," Jyothi focuses on transparent, accountability-driven reporting. Her core areas of expertise include: Cinematic Deconstruction: Analyzing the social subtext of mainstream Bollywood and South Indian cinema (e.g., Kantara, Masaan, Dabangg). Toxic Masculinity & Gender Studies: A vocal critic of regressive tropes in Indian cinema, she often highlights the industry's treatment of women and social progress. Box Office & Industry Economics: Providing data-backed predictions and analysis of film performance and superstar fee structures. Exclusive Multimedia Coverage: Conducting deep-dive interviews and long-form features that bridge the gap between archival history and modern pop culture. Authoritativeness & Trust Jyothi Jha has established herself as a trusted voice by prioritizing substance over PR-driven narratives. Her background in hard news and political production provides her with a unique lens through which she views the entertainment industry—not merely as gossip, but as a reflection of societal values. Readers rely on her for "Journalism of Courage," knowing her critiques are rooted in a deep respect for the craft and a refusal to settle for superficiality. Her ability to pivot between daily news and specialized entertainment analysis makes her a versatile and authoritative pillar of The Indian Express newsroom. ... Read More

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