Samarth Jurel — the young Indian actor, model-turned-television personality — has had a varied career, spanning traditional TV serials, reality-shows, and web series. Below is a detailed overview of his work in television and related on-screen appearances, along with some context about his career development.
Early Beginnings: First Roles and Background
Before making it big in mainstream serials, Samarth Jurel had a background rooted in modelling and theatre. Originally from Indore, he played cricket before shifting to Mumbai to pursue his passion for acting and modelling.
Even before what many consider his “breakout,” he had a small role in Anupamaa — often overlooked, but now acknowledged as his starting point on television. In that show, he played a character named Rahul.
Thus, “Anupamaa” represents the very beginning of his televised acting journey. While minor, these early steps set the stage for his later, more prominent roles.
Rise to Recognition: Mainstream Serials & Leading Roles
Udaariyaan (2022)
One of the most important shows in Jurel’s career — Udaariyaan, aired on Colors TV — saw him portray Nikhil Kapoor. For many viewers, this is the role that put him on the map.
He expressed pride at being part of a milestone: the show completed 600 episodes, and being associated with a long-running serial helped him gain visibility and experience.
In interviews later on, he revealed that for Udaariyaan he earned ₹5,000 per day, reflecting his early days in serial television.
Maitree (2023)
After Udaariyaan, Samarth got a more significant opportunity: a lead role in Maitree, playing the character Harsh Tiwari. This marked a step up — from supporting/recurring roles to a central character in a mainstream soap.
His portrayal in Maitree drew attention; especially after a time-leap in the story, certain intense and dramatic sequences involving his character received praise from netizens for his commitment and realism.
In an interview, Samarth said he chooses projects — be it TV, web or film — based not on medium but on whether the character resonates with him. That speaks to his ambition to grow, not merely stay where comfortable.
Reality Television & Unscripted Appearances
Samarth hasn’t limited himself to serials. He also explored reality television, which helped him connect with viewers on a more personal level.
- He was a wildcard entry in MTV Splitsvilla Season 14.
- Later, he entered Bigg Boss 17 (Hindi) — again as a wildcard. This show significantly boosted his popularity, thanks to his personality, dialogues and presence in the house.
It’s worth noting that although many associate his debut with Udaariyaan, credible reports and video evidence confirm that his first appearance was in Anupamaa — a fact that’s often overshadowed by his more visible later roles.
Web Series & Other On-Screen Projects
Beyond traditional television, Samarth also explored the digital medium:
- He was cast in a web series named Taftish (2022) on MX Player. This indicates his willingness to branch out beyond daily soaps.
- There were reports he bagged a role in a web-series titled Bandra produced for Amazon Prime, but that particular project was later shelved/canceled.
Moreover, in recent media statements, Samarth emphasized that he doesn’t confine himself to a single format (TV, web, films) — his main criteria remain the script and the character.
Career Choices, Artistic Intent & Growth Mindset
From publicly available interviews and statements, it’s clear that Samarth Jurel approaches his craft with thoughtfulness:
- He has said that he values good writing and characters — and is open to any medium (TV serials, web series, film) so long as those two criteria are met.
- In a more recent revelation, Samarth admitted that he eventually quit daily-soaps because he felt “creatively unsatisfied,” implying a desire for more meaningful or different kinds of work than what typical serials offered.
This kind of artistic self-awareness is important in an industry where longevity often depends on adaptability and willingness to evolve.
Why These Shows Matter: Impact on Samarth’s Career
If you look at the trajectory of Samarth’s appearances, certain patterns emerge:
- Visibility & Recognition: While Anupamaa gave him his first appearance, it was Udaariyaan that made him a known face. As Udaariyaan completed 600 episodes, his participation confirmed his staying power in serial TV.
- Growth & Lead-Roles: Getting a lead in Maitree signaled trust from producers and casting directors — a step up from supporting or cameo roles.
- Diversification: Through reality shows (Splitsvilla, Bigg Boss) and a web series, he diversified his portfolio. This flexibility can help an actor survive beyond just serial drama.
- Branding & Personal Identity: Reality shows exposed his off-screen personality — something scripted serials don’t always allow. That helped him build a fan-base that knows the “real him,” beyond fictional characters.
Challenges and Criticisms: What’s Next for Samarth?
Like many emerging actors, Samarth Jurel’s journey hasn’t been without critique and challenges. From fan discussions to some media commentary:
- Some viewers feel his early work — while visible — was minor or “blink-and-miss” type (e.g. his stint in Anupamaa). That means building a sustained recognition requires more substantial, memorable roles.
- There are mentions (in public interviews) that he feels creative dissatisfaction with some of the serial-work he has done. That suggests a risk if he continues in Comfort-Zone roles; in an industry where typecasting is common, breaking out requires conscious, perhaps bold choices.
- As of recent updates, some of his promising projects have been shelved (e.g. web-series Bandra). That uncertainty is typical for many in the entertainment world, but can impact momentum.
On the other hand — his background (cricket → modelling → acting), combined with versatility (TV, web, reality) — gives him a kind of flexibility many newcomers lack. And his own clarity about choices signals a possible long-term vision rather than short-term fame.
In Summary: A Young Actor on the Rise
Samarth Jurel’s journey, through shows like Anupamaa, Udaariyaan, Maitree, and his reality-show participations, paints the picture of a fresh face in Indian television forging his identity step by step. From small beginnings to lead roles, from serials to web-series and reality TV — he’s sampling many facets of the entertainment industry.
While the road ahead can be unpredictable — as for any actor — his willingness to pick diverse roles and his self-awareness about creative satisfaction suggest that he’s aiming for more than just fleeting popularity.
Whether he becomes a mainstay actor, an OTT favourite, or even transitions to films will depend on how he navigates his next few projects. For now: he remains one of the more interesting young talents to watch, especially if you follow Indian TV and web-content.
