Manasi Salvi breaks silence on Mahadev and Sons controversy, delayed payments and Instagram casting culture (Exclusive)

If you are a ’90s kid and an avid television watcher, you have undoubtedly seen popular actor Manasi Salvi in several memorable roles over the years. From television and OTT to ad films, Manasi has entertained audiences across mediums. With a career spanning nearly three decades, she continues to remain one of the most respected and admired faces on Indian television.

Some of Manasi’s most loved shows include Kohi Apna Sa, Dil Se Dil Tak, Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara, Doli Armaano Ki, Woh Apna Sa and Kaay Ghadla Tya Ratri? among many others.

Known to be a private person, Manasi rarely attends industry parties or social gatherings. For her, work has always been worship. Despite spending over 30 years in the industry, she believes her body of work speaks louder than Instagram followers or online popularity. A versatile actor with strong principles, Manasi has also never shied away from standing up for what she believes is right.

For years, television actors have faced issues related to remuneration, contracts, exclusivity clauses and long working hours. While the entertainment industry may appear glamorous from the outside, actors often go through a lot behind the scenes, and it’s mostly physically exhausting schedules. Daily soaps that air six or seven days a week mostly require shoots stretching beyond 12 to 14 hours just to complete a single episode.

Amid all this, Manasi Salvi has continued to dedicate her time, energy and commitment to the television industry. However, the actor recently made headlines after reports emerged that she had quit Mahadev and Sons over an exclusivity contract dispute and reduction in working days. The matter has now reportedly escalated into a legal issue between the actor and the makers of the show. Manasi’s last working day on the show is said to be May 15, 2026.

Amid the ongoing chatter, International Business Times, India, spoke to Manasi about what went wrong between her and the producers of Mahadev and Sons, the reason behind taking legal action, the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry, Instagram numbers, trends, influencer marketing and what keeps her motivated after all these years.

Excerpts from the conversation:

IBT: What exactly happened with Mahadev and Sons, and what made you quit the show?

meaning: When I was first offered the show a few months ago, I didn’t sign it immediately. Later, my entry happened at the last minute after the actor I replaced got injured. I believe it’s the role that chooses you.

When I eventually took up the show, I was promised a lead role with a strong character-driven arc. My 26 days in a month were blocked under an exclusive contract, but I was shooting for barely 10 days. Slowly, things started changing, and the track began diverting. I often keep all the communication espically the work-related, on email, and voice notes on WhatsApp, as now even in court one can produce it as evidence in case of any legal issue.

Following this, I sent them an email regarding the work and the track. They haven’t replied to my email or responded to my messages. I have given them my dates till May 15, and I am available till then.

There are always two sides to an argument. I believe in facts, evidence and staying on the right side of the law.

IBT: There are reports that you have signed another show on Zee TV amid the Mahadev and Sons controversy.

meaning: I am legally free and can take up a show. As of now, I am reading scripts, but I haven’t signed anything on the dotted line yet. At the moment, I’m just chilling at home with my daughter and family. But since i am a workaholic, I am going to take up something very, very soon.

IBT: Being a senior actor, have you come across casting agencies looking at your Instagram followers and reach before deciding on a role, since that has become the new norm?

meaning: I have been in television for 30 years, and I am not an Instagram influencer. I don’t endorse products I don’t believe in. I am an extremely private person. There was a time when people distinguished among TV acting, OTT acting, and ad film acting. For me, acting is acting. I started my career in 1997, and to date, I haven’t revamped my Instagram to get work. That’s not who I am. I am an actor, and my job is acting. My rules are very clear. I won’t do skin show. I want proper scripts, proper remuneration and professionalism.

I don’t have any friends in the industry, I do my work with dedication, want my fans to get entertained and the show that I’m part of, I want good numbers for the show.

IBT: In the industry, delayed payments are common. Have you experienced this personally?

meaning: Yes, absolutely. There was a producer who delayed my payment for one and a half years and later agreed to pay only 60 per cent of the amount. Delayed payments are a reality in this industry. Many actors go through financial stress because of this. It’s always assumed that the actor is wrong, but sometimes the producer is wrong, too.

IBT: The debate around 8-hour work shifts in the industry has been making headlines ever since Deepika Padukone raised the demand. What is your view on it?

meaning: For me, television works differently. In TV, 12 to 14-hour shifts are common. I count my working hours from the time I arrive on set because hair and makeup itself takes hours. Shoots also face delays because daily soaps function under immense pressure to deliver episodes continuously.

Every actor and every production house should mutually decide and clearly mention the working hours in the contract. Personally, I work 12-hour shifts. If both the actor and the producer are on the same page and agree to those terms, then it is their call. For me, the idea of an 8-hour workday depends on individual preference and mutual understanding.

IBT: How has your daughter reacted to the situation? Does she watch your shows?

meaning: She is 18, and she is proud of me. She is seeing how unethical tactics can sometimes be used in the industry. She has been helping me with paperwork, drafting emails and understanding the legal process. She’s very mature and supportive. She is my confidant, and now she is also learning a lot of things. She and my dad are my biggest critics.

IBT: What do you have to say to young and budding actors

meaning: I have worked very hard over the years and proved myself through my work and TRPs. I am not in this industry to build social relationships. I believe in strict boundaries. I’m private, shy and focused only on work. I value the love and loyalty of my audience immensely. People still watch my old shows and remember my performances after all these years. Of course, there are negative comments and fandom culture online today, but thankfully, I have never personally faced extreme negativity.

The love that audiences have given me over the last 30 years means everything.