International actress Taranjit Kaur will be seen in the highly anticipated series Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaz. The show was premiered on 6 February 2026 on Zee5. Set against the backdrop of a household where “tradition” is an expectation, Shabad explores the dynamics between a stubborn father, a teenage son, and the mother caught in the crossfire. Taranjit plays the mother of the teenager in this compelling family portrait. Kaur’s film credits include BAFTA-nominated Mouth of Hell, Ankhon Dekhi (a Screen Award winner), Airlift, Asur, and Saanjh. Recently, her theatre production The Chai Queens, which has toured internationally.
Taranjit Kaur on Shabad
Talking to mid-day about this show, she said, “In Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz, I play Manjot, the emotional backbone of the family, the one who holds everyone together. She is constantly caught in the conflict between the father and the son: the father wants his son to carry forward the family tradition and become a Ragi, while the son dreams of becoming a footballer. Manjot stands in the middle, trying to protect both. She believes in allowing her children to follow their dreams, but she also understands the weight of tradition. Her journey is about finding balance, empathy, and courage in a home full of pressure, and expectation.”
There is quite a story in how she bagged it. “I got this role while I was in Chandigarh, visiting my parents. I received a call to audition for the role of Manjot and managed to send my first test. Within a couple of days, I was informed that I had been shortlisted. Then came an unexpected twist — I was asked to send another test late at night, around 11 p.m., and eventually ended up shooting it close to 1 a.m. I initially hesitated because my parents were asleep and I didn’t want to disturb them, but the team was very persuasive as time was extremely tight before the shoot. Around 2–2:30 a.m., I received a call from the director and producer telling me I had been finalized and asking if I could an early morning flight to finalize everything .I had to decline — I felt it would be unfair for my parents to wake up and find I had suddenly disappeared. So I requested them to wait until I returned to Mumbai to complete the formalities in the coming days. It was truly an unusual and intense journey, being finalized just days before going on floor. I’m especially grateful to the director, Ameet who encouraged me to take the leap of faith, and our show runner Jayati, who strongly believed in me.”
Taranjit on why the show felt personal
The theme of the show hit home. “The show is deeply rooted in our traditions and highlights the generational conflict that often arises when children and parents struggle to communicate openly. The father is determined for his son to carry forward the family’s spiritual legacy, while the son has dreams of his own, aspiring to become a footballer. As seen in many families, the mother becomes the bridge between father and son, trying to keep the peace, maintain communication, and hold the family together while honouring both love and ambition. My experience working has been deeply fulfilling. Coming from a Sikh family, I grew up in a household where prayers and singing Shabads were an everyday part of life. This made the story feel personal and emotionally familiar. In Indian cinema, Sikh or Punjabi families are often portrayed through clichés — exaggerated, loud, or treated as caricatures. This show, however, offers an authentic portrayal of Sikh family life. I believe it presents a truthful and respectful reflection of our community and its values,” she said.
Talking about her experience of shooting the show, she said, “Over the last few years, I have mostly worked in theatre and films, playing a wide range of characters. However, this is the first time I’m portraying an authentically Punjabi character who is deeply rooted in my own cultural background. In many ways, it felt like coming back to my roots, and it has been both enriching and deeply meaningful to represent my own community on screen. The entire process was enriching, and I was fortunate to work with a wonderful team. Mihir Ahuja and Mahi Raj, who play my children, are incredibly talented and brought sincerity to their roles. Suvinder Vicky has been a strong and supportive co-actor. I truly hope the show reaches viewers across Punjab and beyond, resonating with families far and wide.”
