Anupamaa producer Rajan Shahi says Shaheer Sheikh is his favorite actor: ‘He has no tantrums, never plays mind games on sets’

In an exclusive interview, Rajan Shahi spoke highly about Shaheer Sheikh's work ethic and how he is a brilliant actor to work with.

3 min readMumbaiSep 16, 2025 06:23 PM IST

Rajan Shahi praises Shaheer Sheikh calls him a king (Photos: Shaheer Sheikh / Instagram, Rajan Shahi / YouTube Screengrab)

TV director and producer Rajan Shahi, known for his shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Anupamaa, Sapna Baabul Ka Bidaai, Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, etc, has always been known to have bitter-sweet equations with his actors. While Rajan Shahi has had bad blood with some actors from his shows, he has been in the news several times for evicting actors and replacing them overnight. However, Rajan Shahi has his favorites. Recently, in an exclusive interview with SCREEN, the Anupamaa producer shared that Shaheer Sheikh and Shivangi Joshi are his all-time favorites.

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Also Read: Anupamaa producer Rajan Shahi was warned not to cast Gaurav Khanna as Anuj Kapadia, he was ‘jinxed’: ‘He had not done a serial for 6-7 years’

Rajan Shahi also went on to praise Shaheer and said, “I call Shaheer the King of TV not because of his success, but because he is a brilliant actor. The kind of human he is, I call him ‘Raja’ for a reason. He has also directed for me during Woh Toh Hai Albelaa. I never allow actors to direct when they are working on the show, but he directed the show for so many days and did it so well that I had so much more content to show. He has a generous heart, he never plays mind games, he is not at all manipulative.”

Further praising Shaheer Sheikh, Rajan added, “He is a unit’s person. I have not seen a person like him who is so humble and simple. He never makes you feel he is an actor; he has no tantrums. The king-like quality in him is that everyone gets a per day, and some actors at times say they want to leave early, or do half a day, and we adjust. Shaheer is so giving that if he takes one hour to go early, he will give us his ten hours for free in the future.”

Also Read | Anupamaa producer Rajan Shahi slams actors criticising Rupali Ganguly, calls her a ‘soft target’: ‘When people badmouth her, they get covered in the media’

Rajan Shahi also mentioned how, as a director, he has seen several lead actors hold the shoots at ransom. In the past, Rajan Shahi had also spoken about how a few actors tried gossiping and manipulation on his set, which led to him ousting them from the show. In the interview, Rajan Shahi also praised Anupamaa’s Rupali Ganguly and said that she is also very hardworking. He recalled seeing Rupali wake up at 4 am, finish her house duties, and then come to the set for a shoot.

On the work front, Shaheer Sheikh was last seen in Do Patti opposite Kriti Sanon. His show Woh Toh Hai Albelaa was his last stint on TV, which ended in 2023.

Nawaz Javed Kochra

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector. Experience & Career Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media: The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments. Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media. Expertise & Focus Areas Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include: Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles. OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres. Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends. Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community. Authoritativeness & Trust With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More

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