Shabir Ahluwalia, a familiar face in Indian television, has spent over 20 years in the industry. From romantic leads to intense roles, he has played many characters with ease. Now, as he takes on the role of Yug Sinha, a sharp lawyer in Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil, Shabir shows once again that he’s always ready to evolve.
This new role is different, layered, and full of emotion. Yug is not a typical character. He’s strong, complex, and thoughtful, a reflection of how storytelling itself has changed. Shabir has embraced this shift with open arms. He believes the change in stories and characters mirrors the change in viewers.
He pointed out that the way stories are told today is very different from the past. There was a time when television followed a more linear path. Characters were simple and predictable. But that is no longer the case. “Definitely what I’ve seen is experimental characters, experimental storytelling,” Shabir said. He feels the single-tone stories of earlier times have now given way to more layered and unpredictable narratives.
He also noted that the change didn’t happen overnight. It came because audiences have changed too. Today, viewers are open to stories that break the mold. He shared that complex characters now drive shows and movies because viewers are ready for something deeper and more real. According to him, this shift is driven by the audience’s growing appetite for unique and meaningful content.
Shabir explained that this new wave of storytelling is audience-led. What people choose to watch shapes what creators choose to make. He said content makers are now more willing to experiment because viewers are embracing it. In his view, having a diverse group of people watching different types of stories helps build space for all forms of creativity.
He added that it’s not just about making content that fits into a box. What matters most is honesty in creation. “It’s great that we are coming of that age where everything you make just make it with heart, have a good story to tell, and there’ll be people who consume your content,” he said. That belief in heart-led storytelling is something Shabir holds close.
His new series reflects this very idea. Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil offers more than drama. It brings out emotions that are often hidden. Through Yug Sinha, Shabir dives deep into human behavior, conflict, and choices. It’s about showing a character who feels, thinks, and struggles.
Working in this kind of environment excites him. He feels there’s more freedom now than ever before. Television and OTT platforms have opened new doors. They’ve allowed actors to try new things and grow with every role. For someone like Shabir, who has seen the industry change firsthand, this phase feels like a breath of fresh air.
