Jamai No. 1’s Abhishek Malik recreates Allu Arjun-inspired look from Pushpa 2; says ‘I got goosebumps because the look is a complete replica’

Popular fiction drama Jamai No. 1 is set to serve viewers a visually arresting and emotionally charged twist as Neel (Abhishek Malik) transforms into a never-before-seen avatar of Goddess Kaali Maa—one that channels the iconic intensity of Allu Arjun’s look from Pushpa 2. In a first for Hindi television, the male lead steps into a divine and powerful form that blends cinematic flair with raw emotional gravitas. As the plot thickens with Riddhi’s (Simaran Kaur) kidnapping and Neel’s desperate mission to rescue her, viewers are in for a high-voltage visual experience.To bring this striking transformation to life, Abhishek’s makeover is no small feat—it took close to two hours each day, with full-body paint, dramatic eye makeup, elaborate temple jewellery, and a traditionally draped saree completing the intense look. What truly ups the ante? Abhishek performed a stylised, high-energy action sequence in this avatar, engaging in combat while draped in the heavy ensemble, bringing together devotion, adrenaline, and drama in a way that’s never been attempted before.Abhishek said, “Honestly, I was genuinely thrilled when I first heard about this track and I was going to play as Goddess Kaali Ma. I got goosebumps because the look is a complete replica of Allu Arjun’s iconic avatar from Pushpa 2—fierce, intense, and rooted in power. We did a look test, and the response was amazing. Everyone on set loved it, and I even got a call from our producer saying, ‘This look was made for you.’ That meant a lot to me.

It’s something completely out-of-the-box—something that’s never been attempted on Indian television before. This is a high-octane track, and what makes it even more exciting is that there’s a major fight sequence woven into it. It felt like those grand, stylised action scenes in Indian cinema. The transformation process itself was quite intense. It took nearly two hours to get into the avatar, from the body paint to the heavy saree and elaborate temple jewellery.

Everything was detailed and weighty. Performing powerful action sequences in that look was physically exhausting, but also incredibly empowering.”He added, “This is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging and creatively fulfilling sequences I’ve ever shot. This look is unlike anything the audience has seen before on Hindi GEC. Jamai No.1 has always pushed boundaries, and this track is a perfect example. We’ve been shooting this sequence for over two days, and just removing and reapplying the paint and makeup each time is a task in itself—but I truly hope the audience feels the emotion, energy, and effort we’ve put into it.

”While Abhishek is all set to be a part of this power-packed sequence in the show, it will be interesting for the viewers to watch what happens when Neel enters the courtroom with Riddhi in his Kaali Maa avatar just as the judge is about to announce a life sentence for him. Will he surrender himself, or will Riddhi find a way to save him from the false accusation?