Shakti Anand to join Shraddha Arya in Kumkum Bhagya

Following recent reports suggesting Shraddha Arya’s return to television five months after embracing motherhood with Kumkum Bhagya, we’ve now learnt that actor Shakti Anand will be joining her on the show. The two will reprise their roles as Preeta and Karan Luthra — characters that gained popularity on the show’s spin-off Kundali Bhagya, which concluded its seven-and-a-half-year run in December.

A source closely associated with the show shared, “Yes, Preeta and Karan Luthra will be returning to the small screen through Kumkum Bhagya. Both Shraddha and Shakti have been briefed about their respective storylines and are quite excited about what lies ahead for their characters. The two are scheduled to begin shooting for the show sometime next week, with their on-screen entries expected to air a week after that.”

Shakti, who has been part of TV shows such as Balika Vadhu, Gangaa, Tenali Rama, Hamari Wali Good News and Channa Mereya, remained unavailable for comment.

In an earlier conversation with us, shortly after bidding farewell to Kundali Bhagya — a show she remained part of almost until its end — Shraddha had expressed her feelings, saying, “It’s a whirlwind of emotions, and I honestly can’t put into words how I truly feel. In just a few months, I would have completed eight years with Kundali Bhagya. It’s like leaving home, not knowing if you’ll ever return. This show is my baby. Even though some fans encouraged me to explore new avenues, I never really felt the need to move on. The journey has been nothing short of magical.”

When asked about the show ending on December 6 — a revelation that came shortly after she announced her exit on Instagram — she had shared, “I found out about the show’s conclusion just a few days ago, much like everyone else. The news was equally shocking and bewildering for me as it was for the fans. However, I trust that the makers and the channel made a well-considered decision, so I’d rather not comment further.”