The prodigal son returns to Shanti Niketan in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, reborn as the next heir. Akashdeep Saigal, also known as Skywalker, who portrayed the infamous Ansh Gujral in the first season 18 years ago, is back in the ongoing edition, this time as his son Reyansh, in a markedly positive shade.
Reflecting on returning to a show that once defined his journey, he says, “Honestly, life has a beautiful, almost poetic way of coming full circle. I never looked at Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as a closed chapter; it was more like a resonant frequency waiting for the right moment to return. It doesn’t feel like a comeback; it feels like a reclamation. It's a blessing. I step onto that set with complete surrender and gratitude.”
Elaborating on the character he steps into this time, Akashdeep says, “My character Reyansh, lovingly known as Rio, is an America-returned scion, dashing, charming and sophisticated, with a modern, international edge. What makes him special is his heart. He enters the story believing he is the son of Karan Virani and Niyati. He worships Karan as his moral compass, completely unaware of the complex bloodline he carries. He comes in as a stabilising force, someone with high intelligence and deep loyalty, but there is also a quiet intensity that suggests he will protect his family at any cost.”
Addressing the transition from playing Ansh at a younger age to now portraying his son, despite the age dynamic, he says, “Acting isn’t about the date on your birth certificate; it’s about the energy you bring. Rio has a very different presence from Ansh. He carries a refined confidence and a youthful energy that we’ve consciously built into both the look and performance. Ekta doesn’t just cast; she foresees. She understood that the energy I bring today aligns with what the character needed. When you work with someone of her vision, along with Siddharth Vankar and director Muzammil Desai, you don’t just act, you evolve.”
Balancing two major shows simultaneously, he speaks about the phase he is in as an actor. “To be part of two iconic franchises like Naagin 7 and Kyunki 2 is a privilege that comes with responsibility. It’s exciting, but it also keeps me grounded. At this stage, I’m not chasing work, I’m looking for impact. This phase is about carrying a legacy forward while building something new,” he shares.
