Exclusive - Samarth Jurel on his pairing with Abhishek Kumar on Laughter Chefs 2, life post Bigg Boss 17, breakup and being open to love again

In an exclusive conversation with Times of India TV, Samarth Jurel opened up about his dynamic with Abhishek Kumar on Laughter Chefs 2, sharing that their chemistry brings a fun element to the show. Reflecting on life after Bigg Boss 17, he admitted that the journey has been transformative, opening new opportunities. Addressing his breakup, he acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that he has moved forward. While the past has shaped him, Samarth remains open to love again and says his experience in love was never bad. (Photo: Instagram)

I was supposed to join the Laughter Chefs team for the Bigg Boss 18 finale but I couldn’t go as I was shooting in Naigaon for a show. I saw his reaction to my Jodi with Abhishek Kumar. I am having a great time shooting with Abhishek. Main baat hai mazaa aana chahiye, kaam aur paisa toh aate rehte hain. (Photo: Instagram)

Our bond is amazing on the show. I don’t call him my friend and he also doesn’t call me a friend either. We don’t make any declaration about our bond. Na hum Ek dusre ko follow karte hain, na roz baat karte hain, kuch nahi aisa. We share a different equation, we call each other when there’s something urgent or work related. There is a mutual understanding. He is a good guy and his nature is good. (Photo: Instagram)

I was supposed to do Khatron and I broke my leg before going. My tickets had come and I was all set to go but I fractured my leg. But I don’t feel bad about missing the opportunity as I feel joh hota hai acche ke liye hota hai. Accha hai Karan Veer ban gaye winner, agar main jaata toh phir Woh nahi ban paate (laughs). Now, I can participate in the upcoming season. (Photo: Instagram)

I wanted Karan Veer to win the show because I really like the guy. We kept meeting in meetings and once in Delhi also. Mujhe bahot badhiya bande lagte hain woh. Accha hua Woh ban gaye winner. To be very honest social media can’t decide the winner of the show. I don’t like social media, it is my team who is always behind me to post something or my team does it for me. (Photo: Instagram)

I have 1.1 million followers but in real life I meet people daily who don’t follow me but they know me and like me. Koi Gen Z hai, koi aunty, uncle hain, they are not following me on social media. I feel the audience who watches Bigg Boss, Khatron or Laughter Chefs is TV audience and they are in great numbers. Koi bua hai, Chachi, Chacha, tau hai, daadi hai daada hai, they are not on social media. Bigg Boss has cult audience and I feel those people voted for Karan Veer who watch television daily. (Photo: Instagram)

To be very honest when I came out of Bigg Boss I was confused what to project to the audience. Should I continue showing my real side or should I take up a fiction show. I was confused whether to use the opportunity the platform gave me and I started meeting casting directors. Then I got a project and I completely disappeared for 4 months, Daadhi badha li toh logon ko laga gayab hogaya. Then I realised I should do mix of work. Fiction and nonfiction. (Photo: Instagram)

I was called for last season of Laughter Chefs also as a guest but I couldn’t do it. I decided to keep showing my real side to people because they enjoyed watching, Aur paisa toh aahe raha tha main. My manager keeps telling me thoda Pr karo apna and they send me for spotting. They ask me to dress up well and go and attend an event where I’ll get clicked by paps. Then they ask me to leave, arre ye kya baat hui. Bolte hain pap kar rahe hain aapko spot. I don’t like it but I listen to them sometimes and 4 mein se Ek mein jaata hoon. I feel it’s better I do some show or do interviews like these to be seen rather then going for an event to be clicked by paps. (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, till a few years ago there was tags given to actors. Television actors were typecast till a few years ago. Now, they say we want actors there is no TV actors or film actors tags. There is a respect in approach, there is no stamp. When I joined the industry I was told don’t do cameo roles you will get typecast. When I did my first show Prem Bandhan and it was a one day role and I was asked to not do the role. Many people told me you are lead material don’t do cameo. Now, I’m working with Balaji for a show. I feel if you are good you will get work. (Photo: Instagram)

There is no emotional baggage after whatever has happened in my personal life. Pehle bhi nahi tha aur ab bhi nahi hai, ye sab life ke phases hote hain and you learn from it. Be it a good or bad experience, you learn from everything. Kuch bura hota hai toh bahot zyaada sikhte ho, Accha hota hai toh Accha he hota hai. I’ve become mature after BB 17. Aap mature Kab hote jab log aapko bolne Lagte hain arre yaar tere saath toh aisa hogaya. Then you start to overthink or take your life seriously. Pehle main itna zyaada sochta nahi tha ab sochne laga hoon. (Photo: Instagram)

Currently, I am single and now my approach is aana hai toh aao, nahi toh koi baat nahi. Bura experience toh kuch tha he nahi love mein kabhi aisa toh Maine kabhi kaha he nahi. I feel you should look for good things and positivity in life. (Photo: Instagram)

Laughter Chefs started as an underdog but became hugely popular. In fact, it even became the number one non-fiction show! Now, the audience wants to see the same cast because they’ve become fans of them and some viewers are finding it hard to accept the changes in the lineup. Fans are watching the episodes, but they miss Karan Kundrra, Arjun Bijlani, and Aly Goni. They keep asking, ‘Kahan hain ye log?’ But the makers always planned to bring new celebrities each season. They have their fixed show runners like Krushna bhai and Sudesh ji, while the rest of the celebrities come in, cook, and have fun. That’s the concept—they wanted to switch things up. And honestly, isn’t it great? If this change hadn’t happened, how would I have joined the show? (Photo: Instagram)

Yes, I’ve also read about the show receiving mixed reactions from fans, but personally, I’ve been getting great feedback so far. In fact, the channel and production house have been praising me and saying I’m doing well on the show. I feel really fortunate to be working alongside such big celebrities like Krushna bhai and Sudesh ji. It’s an incredible experience. (Photo: Instagram)