A hilarious scene from the popular Indian soap opera Saath Nibhaana Saathiya has recently gone viral, sparking countless memes and over 40 million views.
In the short clip, lead character Gopi Bahu, played by Giaa Manek, opens a container of rice while tunelessly humming “la la la.” Her husband Ahem, portrayed by actor Mohammad Nazim, then inquires about a 7.5 crore question, leaving viewers cracking up.
Nazim himself has now reacted to the meme-worthy moment that has brought the show back into the cultural conversation. In an interview with IANS, the actor expressed mixed emotions about the viral fame. “It feels awkward to talk about what I saw. I react positively with ‘la la la’ but I’m also cautious because my sister, sister-in-law, and fans read my stuff,” he explained.
Nonetheless, Nazim added that the video’s whopping view count was impressive. He pointed out that the scene harkens back to an era when love stories were more subtly addressed in Indian television and film, unlike today. During shoots, he and co-star Giaa Manek used to exchange jokes and find comfort amidst the 100-person crew.
Discussing the impact such viral moments have had on his career, Nazim noted the fleeting nature of internet fame. However, he credited social media with successfully promoting his recent show Tera Mera Sath Rahe.
Amusingly, the actor revealed that fans often confuse his real identity for his on-screen persona Ahem. Laughing, Nazim shared, “People often ask me, ‘Ahem ji, didn’t you go to the office?’ This is a common occurrence even on Sundays.” He jokingly asked for suggestions on how to politely handle the unnecessary prodding into his personal life.
But Mohammad Nazim appears unbothered by trolls, taking the memes and viral clips from Saath Nibhaana Saathiya in stride. For the actor, the randomized internet fame is not as meaningful as more consistent career success. Nonetheless, he and fans worldwide can certainly appreciate the humor brought by Ahem and Gopi Bahu’s lighthearted on-screen escapades.
