I hope viewers see that saying “NO” can also be an act of care, not defiance,” says Sumbul Touqeer Khan

I hope viewers see that saying “NO” can also be an act of care, not defiance,” says Sumbul Touqeer Khan on her role in Sony SAB’s Itti Si Khushi that shatters television’s traditional narrative of sacrifice

• TvTalks Team
• 2025-11-11T15:12:00+05:30

Breaking away from television’s long-standing depiction of self-sacrificing women, Sony SAB’s acclaimed show Itti Si Khushi introduces Anvita (Sumbul Touqeer Khan) - a character who dares to defy the conventional. Unlike the typical female characters defined by boundless selflessness and silent endurance, Anvita makes a courageous choice by refusing to donate her liver when she learns that she is a compatible donor for her father, who is battling a life-threatening condition and is in urgent need of a transplant. Anvita doesn’t rush to act on impulse. Instead, she pauses to weigh the consequences - especially for her five younger siblings who rely on her. For her, safeguarding her own health is not an act of selfishness, but a way to secure her family’s future.

Talking about the emotionally charged track, Sumbul Touqeer Khan opens up about portraying a woman who redefines strength, compassion, and courage in a new light.

Anvita makes a bold choice by refusing to donate her liver to her father. How did you react when you first read this track?
When I first read this track, I remember feeling a mix of surprise and admiration. It’s not often that you come across a story where the daughter refuses to save her father — but once I understood the reason, it made complete sense. Anvita’s choice isn’t born from anger or indifference; it comes from emotional exhaustion and clarity. She knows that even if she donates her liver, there’s no guarantee her father will change his ways, so she chooses to stay healthy for her siblings who rely on her. It’s a decision stemming from a different kind of love, one that values responsibility and the long-term well-being of her family over momentary sacrifice.

TV heroines usually sacrifice everything for their family. How does playing Anvita break this traditional mold?
That’s what makes Anvita special. She isn’t written as the ever-sacrificing daughter who gives up everything without question. She’s real, vulnerable, and deeply human. Her love is about choosing wisely, even when it hurts. Playing her feels refreshing because she defines heroism not through surrender but through aware choices. She’s saying, “I’ve done all I can, but now I must protect what’s left.” I think that’s a message many women will relate to — that caring for others doesn’t mean put many lives at risk in the process.

Anvita’s decision is bold and layered; she’s not being selfish but rather practical and protective. How did you interpret her mindset while performing these scenes?
There’s absolutely nothing selfish about Anvita’s choice. She’s torn between her love for her father and her duty toward her siblings. What she’s doing requires immense courage — it’s far easier to give in to guilt than to stand firm for what’s right. She knows that if she risks her life and her father doesn’t change, her younger siblings will be left with no one to look after them. So she makes a painful but wise decision. To me, that’s strength at its purest — doing what’s right for everyone in the long run, even when it breaks your heart in the moment.

What aspects of Anvita’s character do you personally relate to the most?

I really connect with her honesty and emotional clarity. Anvita doesn’t hide behind what’s expected of her — she acknowledges her pain, confusion, and love openly. She may not always make the popular choice, but she’s truthful about her emotions. I think that kind of honesty takes courage. Like her, I believe strength can be quiet — it doesn’t always need to shout to be powerful.

The show brings out an important question — is sacrifice always the right form of love? What do you think the audience will take away from this storyline?
I think this storyline will help people reflect on what love really means. We’ve been conditioned to believe that loving someone means giving up everything for them — but Itti Si Khushi shows that love can also mean setting boundaries and thinking ahead. Anvita’s refusal isn’t a rejection of her father; it’s her way of saying, “I love you, but I also have to protect the rest of our family.” It’s a mature, compassionate form of love that looks beyond the immediate moment. I hope viewers see that saying “no” can also be an act of care, not defiance.
Tune in to watch Itti Si Khushi, every Monday to Saturday at 9 PM, only on Sony SAB