Entertainment: Suvinder Vicky & Mihir Ahuja lead Shabad: Reet Aur Riwaaz

Chandigarh’s own Suvinder Vicky, an actor celebrated for his intensity and rooted performances, is stepping into yet another compelling lead role — this time as a conflicted father — in ZEE5’s upcoming series Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz. The show, which premieres on February 6, explores the delicate space between parental legacy and a child’s personal dreams.Suvinder plays a devoted raagi, who hopes his son will carry forward the family’s sacred musical tradition. However, the boy harbours a very different dream — football. The emotional tug-of-war between faith, expectation and individuality forms the heart of the series.In Chandigarh on Thursday to promote the show, Suvinder, who looked dapper in a black ensemble with red turban, was joined by his reel son Mihir Ahuja, dressed in contrasting off-white; and the duo instantly won hearts. The young actor’s respectful demeanour to his senior was evident throughout, matched by Suvinder’s generosity in allowing him the space to shine. During the interaction, the two enacted an emotional scene from the series, leaving Mihir visibly overwhelmed —his tears flowed naturally, blurring the line between performance and emotion.As the duo was asked to sing a shabad, observing maryada, Mihir respectfully covered his head before the two sang — So Satgur Pyara Mere Naal Hai, creating an atmosphere that echoed the spiritual core of the show.Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz follows the journey of Ghuppi Singh, a 16-year-old boy living with a stammer, torn between honouring his father’s wishes and chasing his own aspirations. A father to two daughters in real life, Suvinder found the opportunity to portray a father–son relationship on screen particularly intriguing.To authentically embody the role of a raagi, Suvinder underwent rigorous preparation —learning harmonium and practising singing before the shoot. “A raagi’s work may appear simple but it isn’t,” he shared. “Waking up at 3:30 am during brahmvela, taking a snan, and serving as a pathi at the Gurdwara requires immense discipline, commitment and zeal.”Matching that dedication is Mihir Ahuja, a “zillennial” (caught between millennials and Gen Z), who mirrors his co-star’s sincerity. The Jamshedpur-born actor said the show helped him reconnect with his roots. “I belong to a Punjabi family and used to speak Punjabi with my dadi, whom I lost two years back. It felt special to speak Punjabi again with Suvinder ji,” he said.While the series blends Hindi and Punjabi, Mihir said its emotions transcend language. “It will strike a chord across generations and regions because emotions speak louder than words,” he noted.Suvinder agreed. “Parents should heed the aspirations of their children, and children must understand that parents are right in their own ways. It has to be a smooth collaboration between the two,” he added.Following the success of Kohrra, which catapulted him to national recognition and even earned him a top IMDb ranking alongside stars like Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, Suvinder remains grounded.Despite Mumbai being his karmabhoomi, Chandigarh continues to be home. “I still live here,” he said with a smile. “Mumbai meri rozi-roti sambhal rahi hai, par Waheguru se ardaas hai — Bombay aur Chandigarh nu ek kar de.”Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz is a sensitive coming-of-age drama that asks the timeless question: Is legacy something we inherit — or something we choose? Catch the series streaming exclusively on ZEE5 from February 6.

Entertainment: Suvinder Vicky & Mihir Ahuja lead Shabad: Reet Aur Riwaaz

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