Actor Ritwik Bhowmik, who plays Jai Agarwal in Netflix's recently released family drama Meethe Mein Kya Hai, has opened up about the emotional depth of his character and the personal experiences he brought into the role. In an interaction with us, Ritwik spoke about the similarities between himself and Jai, his approach to understanding the character, and the importance of surrendering to a director's vision. He also reflected on the connection between Jai and Radhe, the much-loved character he played in Bandish Bandits, explaining why the two roles are quite different despite sharing a strong attachment to family.
When asked how much he could relate to Jai when the script first came his way, particularly when it came to family dynamics and playful squabbles at home, Ritwik had an interesting response about marriage. He jokingly revealed that, unlike Jai's mother Amrita, who wants to arrange a second marriage for her son, his own parents are not putting him under any such pressure. In fact, he is the one bringing up the subject. Talking about the similarities between himself and Jai, Ritwik said, “Well, regarding the marriage talk you mentioned—it’s not that I’m under pressure from my parents; in fact, it’s the opposite—I’m the one constantly pestering them, saying, ‘Get me married, please, get me married!’ Honestly, as for the character of Jai Agarwal—the most obvious similarity between him and me is our physical appearance; we definitely share the same physique. Beyond that, there are many aspects of his life that I have personally experienced.”
The actor further explained that creating Jai involved finding a balance between his own experiences and the character's individual personality. For Ritwik, the biggest learning from the film was understanding when to surrender to the director's vision without losing his own individuality as a performer. Elaborating on this, he said, “So, we found a great middle ground. In fact, my biggest lesson from this film—was the importance of surrendering. It was about figuring out: can you do exactly what is asked of you, without overthinking it? It’s about maintaining your sense of self—staying true to who you are and how you perform—while bringing your own originality to the table. You have to perform in service of the director’s vision; you play your part to realise what the director has envisioned. Through the process of making this film, I’ve learned—or at least begun to learn—how to strike that balance.”
The conversation also touched upon the similarities between Jai and Radhe, Ritwik's popular character from Bandish Bandits. Both characters share a deep connection with their families, something that the actor also relates to in his personal life. Explaining this connection, Ritwik said, “In a way, there’s a parallel—Radhe was also very connected to his family, and here, too, you all are incredibly close-knit, no matter what happens. How much similarity is there? Well, the similarity is definitely there, and it’s also a part of my own life—as a person, I feel very connected to my family. I bring that aspect of myself to my work, which is likely why filmmakers often cast me in roles that revolve around family relationships. So, the biggest common factor is that I played both characters, and in my own life, I am very attached to my family.”
However, Ritwik was quick to point out that the resemblance between the two characters goes only so far. He revealed that Jai was unlike any role he had previously attempted, whether on stage, in theatre, advertisements, sketches, television shows or films. Most of his earlier characters belonged to the 20–27 age group and were still discovering life, whereas Jai carries the emotional weight of experiences that have already shaped him. Describing what made the role particularly special, he said, “But beyond the fact that both characters are deeply committed to their families, there is absolutely no other similarity between Radhe and Jai. I have never attempted a character like Jai before—not on stage, not in theatre, not in advertisements, sketches, shows, or any other films. Most of the roles I’ve played so far have been characters in the 20–27 age range—people who are still exploring life and trying to find some depth. This was the first role I’ve taken on that already came with the 'baggage' of depth and experience. The journey of Jai—peeling back those layers, unfolding oneself from those past experiences, and finally letting his family in—is something I haven’t portrayed before. It is, without a doubt, one of the most special roles I’ve ever played.”
Written and directed by Radhika Bansal, Meethe Mein Kya Hai is set during a chaotic four-day Diwali celebration at Nani's home in Lucknow. Jai is a young architect struggling with the loss of his wife, Tara, who died in a car accident two years earlier. Planning to move to Georgia for a fresh start, he initially refuses to attend the family reunion. However, his sister Sana reveals that she has secretly married Karam, a divorced father, and wants Jai by her side when she introduces him to their traditional family. Meanwhile, Amrita hopes to arrange a second marriage for Jai, even as he continues to deal with his grief. During the gathering, he also develops a unique friendship with Meera, his 13-year-old neighbour, who helps him navigate his emotions.
Premiering on Netflix on October 30, 2026, as a Diwali release, Meethe Mein Kya Hai brings together family relationships, generational differences, grief, love and unexpected connections. With Ritwik describing Jai as one of the most special characters he has played, the film marks an important milestone in his acting journey. His experience also highlights how the role allowed him to explore a different emotional space while discovering the balance between personal interpretation and a filmmaker's vision.