TOXIC husband, VILE Mother-In-Law or LACK of chemistry? Studying POSSIBLE reasons behind YRKKH's falling TRPS

The downfall of our country's longest running television show needs to be studied and so, here we are, studying the reason behind what exactly has gone wrong behind the alarmingly dipping TRPs of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and what, according to us, as ardent viewers of the show only hope could improve.

While it is only natural for a daily soap, especially the longest running television show in the country, to witness fluctuations in ratings over the years, the recent decline feels far more concerning than just a temporary slump. Loyal viewers who have stayed invested in the journey for years are now slowly disconnecting from the story, and the reasons behind it deserve serious attention.

As ardent followers of the show, we believe the downfall of a legacy series like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai cannot simply be dismissed as audience fatigue. Somewhere, the emotional connection that once made the show so iconic seems to be fading. From repetitive storylines to problematic character arcs, several creative choices have left viewers frustrated rather than emotionally invested. Here is a closer look at what, according to us, is going terribly wrong with the show right now.

Constant leaps feel exhausting:

One of the biggest problems with the current storyline is the never ending cycle of leaps. Every few months, the story jumps ahead in time, only to eventually circle back to the same Armaan and Abhira separation drama. Instead of feeling fresh or exciting, these leaps now feel repetitive and emotionally draining. Viewers barely get time to connect with a track before everything changes again. At this point, the audience is craving stability and meaningful storytelling instead of constant resets.

The TOXIC & OUTDATED 'possesive mother-in-law' trope:

It is 2026, yet television continues to glorify the same regressive mother in law versus daughter in law conflicts. The constant portrayal of a possessive mother who is willing to sabotage her son’s marriage and humiliate his wife at every step feels exhausting and deeply problematic. And the lengths Vidya has been going to? Problematic! Please, we do not want the same old Saas Bahu drama anymore.

Armaan and Abhira's separation drama on repeat mode:

Every leap eventually leads to yet another separation between Armaan and Abhira. At one point, their emotional struggles moved viewers, but now the pattern has become far too predictable. Why does every conflict have to end in separation, followed by a leap? Audiences today want emotionally mature relationships, not endless cycles of heartbreak followed by reunions.

Abhira constantly forgiving Armaan's MOST TOXIC & UNFORGIVABLE mistakes:

One of the most frustrating aspects of the storyline is how easily Abhira forgives Armaan despite his deeply toxic behaviour. A man who tells his wife she cannot become a good mother, throws her out of the house, and repeatedly fails to stand by her somehow ends up being redeemed every single time because he eventually realises he is “in love.” Well, Love should not mean tolerating emotional disrespect and humiliation. And the number of times Abhira has failed to understand this is insane.

Abhira NEVER standing up for herself:

This is perhaps the most disappointing part of the show. Abhira is portrayed as an educated, independent lawyer, yet she constantly tolerates humiliation from both her husband and mother in law. She is insulted, blamed, emotionally manipulated, and repeatedly thrown out of the house, yet she continues to endure everything silently in the name of being an ideal wife and daughter in law. The question viewers are asking is simple: why does Abhira not have a voice of her own? At a time when television should be portraying stronger female characters, this narrative has started feeling like a step backwards.

Third angles that feel draining:

Another repetitive pattern that viewers are clearly tired of is the constant introduction of a new woman in Armaan’s life after every leap. Eventually, Armaan leaves that person and returns to Abhira, but by now the formula feels overused and unimaginative. Instead of creating emotional depth, these tracks only add frustration because audiences already know how the story will end.

Or maybe it is the CHEMISTRY?

This opinion can be controversial to a section but we do believe that as compared to the previous generations, there is certainly a lack of chemistry between the lead pair here. We are talking about the chemestries that we have loved previously, Harshad Chopda and Pranali Rathod, Mohsin Khan and Shivangi Joshi and of course Hina Khan and Karan Mehra have set the record so high that we do not want to settle for anything even remotely less.

We absolutely do not take away the number of social messages picked up the creators of the show, however, we also believe that in the end, viewers are not abandoning Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai because they no longer care. In fact, the criticism comes from a place of emotional investment and disappointment. Fans still want the show to succeed, but for that to happen, the storytelling needs to evolve. Audiences today are looking for stronger women, healthier relationships, meaningful drama, and emotional realism instead of repetitive toxicity packaged as entertainment.

What are your opinions? Drop and tell us in the comments below.

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