Amid reports of Manasi Salvi quitting Mahadev & Sons, the actress has now responded to the claims and the statements of the producer of the show. Read ahead for details.
Published: Tuesday,May 05, 2026 17:44 PM GMT+05:30
Television actor Manasi Salvi has found herself at the centre of a growing dispute with the makers of Mahadev & Sons, just months after the show went on air. What initially appeared to be a routine exit linked to reduced screen time has now escalated into a full fledged legal and contractual conflict, with both sides taking firm positions.
Earlier, industry chatter suggested that Salvi, who essays the role of Bhanu Bajpai, was contemplating stepping away due to a steady decline in her presence in the narrative. However, the situation seems far more layered than simple creative dissatisfaction. The actor has now revealed that her decision to leave was formally communicated well in advance, but the lack of response from the production team only complicated matters further.
Salvi in a conversation with The Free Press Journal claims that she had written to producer Saurabh Tewari and the channel leadership at Colors TV, clearly stating her intention to exit the show by mid May. According to her, there was no acknowledgement or reply to this communication. What followed, she says, only deepened her concerns about the way her role and position on the show were being handled.
In her account, the actor has alleged that over several months she received multiple messages and voice notes from the producer suggesting that the channel was not keen on her or her character, and that he alone was advocating for her continuation. This, she believes, created a sense of uncertainty and dependency, especially when her role in episodes continued to shrink. At the same time, she also claims to have evidence that contradicts this narrative, indicating that she may have been misled about the channel’s stance. Over a period of seven months, she says, her work schedule remained inconsistent and difficult to manage.
The situation took a more serious turn at the start of May. Speaking about the sequence of events, Salvi shared, “On May 1, 1l days after sending me the exit mail, i got another email which said that they are retracting the previous mail and renewing the old contract. Now, this is not Which is not tenable in the law. My lawyers replied on the same day stating that this wasn’t legal. Today is May 5, and till now the producer has not replied to my mail, but gone and ranted everywhere, to the medic. the Producers Association and Artists Association. This is something beyond my understanding. I’m not understanding this. We are filing a defamation against the producer for distorting the facts. It’s very difficult for me to share details of legal proceedings in the media, but have no choice left now,” Manasi told FPJ.
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With no direct response to her legal communication, Salvi has alleged that the matter is being discussed across industry bodies instead, something she says she finds puzzling. The actor has now initiated legal proceedings, including a defamation notice, claiming that facts have been misrepresented publicly.
Beyond the contractual disagreement, Salvi has also raised concerns about how her silence during the dispute was interpreted. She believes that choosing not to speak earlier allowed certain narratives to gain traction, ultimately affecting her professional image. Addressing this, she stated, “I have come to realise that silence in an ongoing legal matter is no longer seen as dignity or restraint. It is often misconstrued as weakness, allowing false narratives to take shape. Therefore, on the advice of my legal counsel, I feel it is necessary to present the facts clearly. It is often assumed that an actor is unprofessional and vulnerable to legal pressure from producers. However, times have changed. Just as production houses are legally equipped, artists today also rely on proper legal guidance to ensure that contracts, including exits, are handled ethically and lawfully.”
I have come to realise that silence in an ongoing legal matter is no longer seen as dignity or restraint. It is often misconstrued as weakness, allowing false narratives to take shape. Therefore, on the advice of my legal counsel, I feel it is necessary to present the facts clearly. It is often assumed that an actor is unprofessional and vulnerable to legal pressure from producers. However, times have changed. Just as production houses are legally equipped, artists today also rely on proper legal guidance to ensure that contracts, including exits, are handled ethically and lawfully.”
– Mansi Salvi
She also highlighted what she describes as a broader issue within the television industry, pointing to the imbalance between contractual obligations and actual work allocation. According to her, actors are often signed on with commitments that suggest extensive involvement, only to be used sparingly while still being restricted from taking up other opportunities. Explaining her own situation, she said, “It is also important to highlight a recurring issue: actors are often contracted as primary leads with a commitment of 26 exclusive working days, yet are utilised for significantly fewer days. In my case, 10. Despite this, exclusivity clauses prevent us from taking up other work. This imbalance is neither fair nor professional. Throughout my three-decade-long career, I have adhered to a personal code of working on only one project at a time, irrespective of contractual clauses. This principle remains unchanged. A producer cannot arbitrarily dilute exclusivity requirements based on convenience while expecting the same level of commitment from the artist. I also possess multiple communications indicating that my character was being deliberately diminished in order to follow the original Telugu format of the show. If that was the case, it raises valid questions about why I was contracted.”
Following her exit communication, Salvi states that she has already moved on to new assignments, in line with industry guidelines. She also maintains that she has formally asked the production house to present any proof of alleged misconduct or breach on her part, but has not received any response so far. Reiterating her position, she said, “In line with CINTAA guidelines, and based on the official exit communication, I have taken up new work. I have also formally requested the production house to provide any evidence of unprofessional conduct, misconduct, or violations of POSH guidelines on my part. I have received no response to date. Over the past few days, there have been consistent attempts to malign my reputation through public platforms and social media. My legal counsel has taken appropriate action by filing a defamation notice, which will be shared with the media. I have built my career over 30 years on discipline, professionalism, and respect for my craft- values instilled in me by my early mentors. These are not negotiable. To my fellow producers, if there are any legitimate claims of unprofessional conduct or breach of contract on my part, I welcome you to present them with evidence. All my professional records are well documented and legally maintained. I maintain clear professional boundaries and conduct all work strictly within formal environments such as offices and sets and never in coffee shops.”
In line with CINTAA guidelines, and based on the official exit communication, I have taken up new work. I have also formally requested the production house to provide any evidence of unprofessional conduct, misconduct, or violations of POSH guidelines on my part. I have received no response to date.
– Mansi Salvi
As the matter now heads into a legal phase, it remains to be seen how the production house responds to these allegations. For now, what began as speculation around an actor’s reduced screen time has turned into a larger conversation about contracts, communication, and professional ethics within the television industry.
