Actress Muskaan Agarwal, who has made a mark with bold and diverse roles in shows like Namkeen Kisse and Paurashpur on ALTBalaji and the recently released reality-based series House Arrest on ULLU, opened up in a candid conversation about what it truly means to be a celebrity—and the baggage, responsibilities, and misconceptions that come with it.
Talking about what it truly means to be a celebrity, Muskaan reflects, “Earlier I didn’t really think of myself as a celebrity. I’ve always treated myself like a princess at home and outside, so I thought ‘okay, this is already a celebrity-type life’. But now, after doing shows and getting recognition, I do feel the weight of the word. It’s a big responsibility. Once you become something, maintaining it takes more effort. Life gets harder. People get inspired by you — and that kind of inspiration pushes you to be better every day.”
As she continues to grow as a public figure, Muskaan is fully aware of the impact she has. “Being a celebrity brings a big responsibility. People copy your lifestyle, your dressing and almost everything. That’s why we have to stay conscious at parties or even at a simple function — because people see us as someone different. But I live a very normal life, and I’ve always handled everything with ease. I don’t take pressure, I just keep things simple and balanced.”
Muskaan is clear about one thing — fame doesn’t mean privilege everywhere. “At airports or restaurants, the only difference is in the ticket class. At temples, some people pay a lot to skip the line — that’s wrong. God should be equal for everyone. Yes, I do book tables in restaurants to avoid waiting, but that’s just planning ahead — not privilege. The real privileges, like special treatment, only go to those at the top level like Shah Rukh Khan or Amitabh ji.“
A huge fan of Kareena Kapoor, Muskaan says, “Kareena ma’am is a queen. She worked through pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and she still works hard every day. She didn’t just relax in luxury, despite being married into royalty. I admire her dedication, the way she handles motherhood, marriage, and her career — she flaunts her personality with grace. That’s why I really, really like her.”
Muskaan recalls a recent fan encounter on a flight after a grueling 36-hour shoot. “I was totally exhausted and unwell. A fan sitting beside me kept trying to talk, but I was just not in the zone. I tried explaining — lovingly — that I needed rest. People don’t always understand our side. We’re humans too. We get tired, sick, emotional. But they see the outer life and assume we’re living on velvet cushions. They don’t see the hard work.”
Ask her if there’s anything she’d never do in public, and she laughs: “Nope. I’m a bindass girl. Public is made up of people like us only.“
Muskaan signs off with a mantra that clearly reflects her approach to both fame and life: “Whether you’re a public figure or a celebrity, it all comes down to how you balance yourself. I haven’t faced any disadvantages yet, and I don’t want to. People may not always understand us, but if we remain calm and stable from within, nothing becomes a problem.”