02 January,2026 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mona Singh
During a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, actress Mona Singh revisited the struggle-filled journey that led to her iconic breakthrough in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. The actor revealed that landing the role was far from easy, as she went through nearly 50 auditions before finally being selected.
As Mona walked onto the KBC stage, the audience greeted her with loud cheers of "Jassi," a reminder of the lasting impact of her character. Speaking to host Amitabh Bachchan, she shared how determined she was during her early days, recalling, "Main roz Pune se bus pakad ke Mumbai aati thi audition dene."
She went on to explain how she came to audition for the show. "I found out that Deeya and Tony were working on a project and auditions were going on, so I decided to try my luck," Mona said. She cleared the first round, but the process stretched much longer than expected. "They kept calling me again and again for the third, fourth and fifth rounds. In total, I ended up giving around 50 auditions," she revealed.
At one point, the repeated auditions left her unsure about her chances. Mona admitted that she even asked the makers whether she was being seriously considered after investing so much time and effort. Eventually, she was told that the show was a big project and that she had been finalised for the role - news that changed her life forever.
Mona also spoke about her deep love for acting, saying it was never a casual choice for her. Her dedication and persistence paid off when Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin became a massive hit, turning her into a household name.
Her candid revelation struck a chord with viewers, highlighting the perseverance behind success. From daily bus journeys between Pune and Mumbai to becoming one of Indian television's most memorable faces, Mona Singh's story served as an inspiring reminder that patience and hard work often lie behind overnight success.
The episode also has a fun banter between Amitabh Bachchan and Mithila Parkar as she asks him to recognise the Bombay slangs and Big B totally nails the rapid fire with her.
