Samiksha Jaiswal on returning to Colors with Ram Bhavan: 'There's nothing more satisfying...'

Colors presents Ram Bhavan, a family drama set in a mansion filled with power struggles, egos, and fierce pride. The story revolves around Om, a rebellious man known for his quick fixes, who dreams of a better life despite his tough exterior. On the other hand, Isha is grounded and determined to rebuild her life after losing her wealth, hoping to climb the social ladder with hard work and patience.

Although they come from different worlds, Om and Isha find themselves united against a common enemy—Gayatri, Om’s manipulative bhabhi and Isha’s harsh boss. Gayatri controls the family’s wealth and holds power over them, but Om is determined to fight back and restore his family’s honor. Meanwhile, Isha proves her professional worth despite being oppressed by her boss.

As Gayatri continues to belittle them, Om and Isha join forces in a surprising alliance. Will they be able to break Gayatri's hold over them, or will they be forced to submit to her power?

In a conversation, Samiksha Jaiswal, who plays Gayatri in Ram Bhavan, shares her excitement about portraying a complex character torn between power and vulnerability. She highlights the show’s unique blend of family drama and intense power struggles, making it stand out from others.

Can you tell us more about the show?

'Ram Bhavan' is a gripping family drama that revolves around a match of wit, ego, and resilience, all within the grand, secret-filled walls of a sprawling titular bungalow in Prayagraj. Gayatri, the dominating bahu of the Vajpayee family is a General Manager at a reputed restaurant and she reigns over the entire family because she holds the monetary strings of the household. Her authority is challenged by Om, her rebellious brother-in-law, who resents her for condemning the family members and using her financial prowess against them, while he strives to secure a government job to prove his worth. Meanwhile, Isha, Gayatri's humble yet strong-willed employee, is a rooted princess who has fallen from riches to bankruptcy. Despite Gayatri's insecurities driving her to make Isha's life difficult, Isha handles her with patience. Together, Om and Isha find themselves in an unexpected alliance against Gayatri. Ram Bhavan becomes the centre stage where purpose, pride, and power struggles brew into a clash with Om and Isha on one side and Gayatri on the other.

Can you tell us more about your role as Gayatri?

Gayatri is a character full of contradictions—powerful yet vulnerable, commanding yet insecure. As the one who calls the shots in Ram Bhavan, she runs her sasural and workplace with an iron fist, determined to maintain control at all costs. However, beneath her tough exterior lies a woman shaped by her own struggles and deep-seated fears. Her authority is constantly challenged by her brother-in-law Om and her employee Isha. It's this constant battle to keep everything in her grasp that makes her a compelling antagonist. Her character adds real tension to the story, driving much of the conflict in the household and in the workplace. Gayatri's journey is one of power, pride, and vulnerability, and her presence in the narrative pushes the other characters to aspire for change.

How did you prepare for your role?

For Gayatri, I spent a lot of time reading the script and discussing the character with the writers to understand her need for control. Gayatri is ambitious but also fears losing what she's built, so I focused on showing both her power and vulnerabilities. I put some thought into crafting a distinctive speech and stance style to give my portrayal definition.

For an actor, there's nothing more satisfying than joining forces with a platform that stands for meaningful and relatable content

- Samiksha Jaiswal

How was your experience collaborating with Colors?

Returning to Colors feels like a homecoming. Over the years, the channel has presented stories that resonate with viewers and given them something to think about. For an actor, there's nothing more satisfying than joining forces with a platform that stands for meaningful and relatable content.

How has it been working with your co-actors?

Mishkat and Khushbu are phenomenal actors who bring unique strengths to their characters. Khusbhu brings depth to Isha's character that makes scenes emotionally charged, while Mishkat's authenticity makes working with him a delight.

What excites you the most about this journey as an actor?

Gayatri's character is interesting because she has many layers, which makes her stand out. What excites me the most is exploring her vulnerabilities while showing her as strong and in control through my depiction of her. Playing someone who is power-hungry, and controlling is tough because I can't judge her; instead, I have to understand her and see things from her point of view. It's about connecting with her character and showing her true emotions, rather than just focusing on her actions. It's been a challenging yet rewarding experience.

This story is a labour of love, and every moment has been brought to life with care and dedication

- Samiksha Jaiswal

What is the biggest challenge of portraying Gayatri?

Gayatri is a character who is constantly strategizing and playing her requires a great deal of emotional and psychological preparation. I had to understand the psyche of someone who was driven by ambition but also burdened by the fear of losing what they've gained.

What makes this show different from other family dramas?

Ram Bhavan truly stands apart with its powerful combination of family drama and intense power struggles. The heritage property of Ram Bhavan is not just a backdrop—it becomes a character, symbolizing the clash of egos, resilience, and familial ties. The drama revolves around this house, where the politics of both home and office collide, often coming head-to-head with a single authoritarian or tyrannical figure. This unique blend of personal and professional power plays makes Ram Bhavan a story like no other on television.

Any message for your fans?

We're thrilled for you to meet our characters and dive into the gripping drama that unfolds within the walls of Ram Bhavan. This story is a labour of love, and every moment has been brought to life with care and dedication. We can't wait to welcome you into our world and share this journey with you. Hope you shower your love on the show just as much as we've poured ours into it!

Starring Mishkat Varma as Om, Khushi Rajendra as Isha, and Samiksha Jaiswal as Gayatri, Ram Bhavan premiered on 29th January and airs every night at 8:30 PM, only on Colors.