The popular television drama Itti Si Khushi masterfully explores the fine line between deep affection and dangerous fixation. At its heart is Anvita, portrayed by Sumbul Touqeer Khan, a young woman striving to keep her fractured family united. However, the narrative's true tension stems from the two men vying for her affection, each representing a starkly different form of love.
The Two Shades of Love: Anchor vs. Obsession
On one side stands Virat, played by Rajat Verma. He offers Anvita a steady, sincere, and reliable partnership, serving as her emotional rock. In sharp contrast is Sanjay, enacted by Rishi Saxena. His initial affection for Anvita undergoes a disturbing metamorphosis, gradually spiraling into a consuming obsession. This unsettling shift propels the storyline into much darker and unpredictable realms, making Sanjay one of the show's most compelling and talked-about characters.
Portraying the Grey: Sanjay is Not a Textbook Villain
In a revealing interview, Rishi Saxena provided deep insight into Sanjay's troubled psyche. He emphasized that his character is far from a one-dimensional antagonist. "Humans react differently in different situations, no one is completely black or white. Sanjay is exactly that," Saxena explained. He described Sanjay as a man driven by a warped sense of love, profound fear, and sheer desperation. His flaws, impulses, and vulnerabilities make him terrifyingly real.
The actor credits the show's writers for crafting a gradual, organic transformation. "The transition was beautifully built into the writing. For me, it was about tuning into that slow burn," he said. By faithfully following the character's emotional graph and the director's vision, Saxena ensured Sanjay's unraveling felt both natural and deeply disturbing to the audience.
A Chilling Descent: No Limits in the Name of Love
A pivotal moment showcasing Sanjay's descent is when he blackmails his rival, Virat. Saxena approached this scene by aiming for a raw and unpolished performance, which was amplified by his strong on-screen chemistry with Rajat Verma. This confrontation elevated the conflict beyond a simple love triangle, turning it into a grim battle of ideologies and emotional survival.
When questioned about how far Sanjay is willing to go, Rishi Saxena's answer was ominous. "Sanjay truly believes everything he’s doing is for Anvita. In his mind, he’s protecting her. When someone feels that strongly, there are no limits," he stated. This twisted self-justification is what renders the character genuinely perilous, posing a threat to everyone around him, including himself.
Despite the emotional heaviness of such a role, Saxena finds playing morally grey characters like Sanjay creatively fulfilling. He appreciates the character's unpredictability and honesty. To maintain his own equilibrium, he maintains a strict professional boundary, switching off from Sanjay's intensity once the camera stops rolling.
As the plot of Itti Si Khushi thickens, Rishi Saxena promises that Sanjay's journey, hovering perpetually between love and destruction, will deliver a performance that is as unsettling as it is unforgettable for viewers.
