Akashdeep Saigal is an Indian actor who works in Hindi television. He is best known for his portrayal of Ansh Gujral and Ekalavya Gujral in Star Plus's soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi as well as participating in the reality show Bigg Boss 5 in which he became a finalist. He returned to television after nearly a decade in Naagin 7 and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, both in 2026.
Personal life Saigal's father and older brother are lawyers. He also has a sister, Madhu Bhatia who lives in Dubai. During his modeling days he dated Madhu Sapre for 6 months, and Shazahn Padamsee for 3 years. He took the alias 'Sky' as it is how his close friends address him. He also dated Pooja Bedi for 3 years after they met on Bigg Boss 5
Career Akash won the Gladrags Manhunt Contestant, supermodel of the year in 1998. The same year he appeared on the 1998 music video for Shweta Shetty's Deewane to Deewane Hain. He started his acting career with the film Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999). He made his debut on small screen with the popular serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus. He had participated in the first season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1, a dance competition on Sony Entertainment Television.
In 2009, he has played the role of the villain in Tamil language film Ayan. He also played the villain in the Tamil film Kavan in 2017.
In 2026, Saigal returned to television after a 8-year long hiatus to portray negative lead, Erul in the seventh season of Naagin.
At the same year, he was signed in the second season, sequel and reboot of Ekta Kapoor's iconic soap opera, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2. In April 2026, he returned to the Kyunki Saas... saga to play Riyansh Virani, the illegitimate son of Ansh Gujral from season 1. Netizens mocked Saigal's entry as Tulsi Virani's grandson, criticizing the unrealistic age dynamic as the actor appeared older than his on-screen grandmother and too mature for the role of a young man he was portraying on screen.
Filmography 1999 Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi as Ronnie 2003 Supari as Mushy 2009 Ayan as Kamalesh (Tamil film) 2014 Sultanat as Tabraiz (Pakistani Film) 2017 Kavan as Kalyan (Tamil film)
Television Year Name Role Notes Ref 2004–2005 Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Ansh Virani 2006–2008 Ekalavya Virani 2005 Kkusum Trishul Kapoor Time Bomb 9/11 Usman Bin Laden 2006 Fear Factor India Contestant Finalist Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1 5th Place 2007–2008 Kuchh Is Tara Ranbir Nanda Lead role 2008 Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki Kans Supporting role Kaho Na Yaar Hai Contestant Along with Sanaya Irani Comedy Circus Along with Pervez Siddiqui Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket Finalist 2009 Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao Evicted Day 52 2011 Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout Finalist 2011–2012 Bigg Boss 5 Finalist 2017 Sher-e-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh Peer Muhammad 2026Naagin 7 ErulKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 Riyansh "Rio" Virani Recurring role
Awards and nominations Year Award Show Category Result 2004Indian Telly AwardsKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu ThiBest Actor in a Negative Role20052007
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