REEL MAGIC - TOI - BALH

Some prime time characters have become so iconic that they've found a strong connect with their fans

Compiled by Shruti Jambhekar

ARNAV AND KHUSHI, ISS PYAAR KO KYA NAAM DOON?
The love story of suave biz tycoon Arnav Singh Raizada and the Lucknow girl Khushi Kumari Gupta — is the stuff TRP history is made of. This telly version of Mills & Boon romance, Iss Pyaar Ko... catapulted Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani to s u p e r s t a rd o m almost overnight and made them the hottest screen couple whose sizzling ch e m i s t r y made their show a TRPtripper.
RAM AND PRIYA,
BADE ACHCHE LAGTE HAIN
Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar surely know the fine art of getting into the skin of characters they do. As Ram Kapoor and Priya Sharma of Bade Achche Lagte Hain, they look so convincing in their roles — it is tough to remember the last characters they played! Even their (almost) lip-lock and intimate scenes went viral overnight. Their awesome chemistry and effortless performances have added to the TRPs of the show.
AKSHARA, YEH RISHTA KYA KEHLATA HAI
Hina Khan is living the role of Akshara for over three years in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. As the Akshara who's been looked up to as the ideal bahu has gently transformed from a docile wife, to a woman who's fighting to save her marriage. Despite the tearjerking act, her friendly smile has a heartwarming impact on her audience.
JETHALAL AND DAYA, TAARAK MEHTA KA
OOLTAH CHASHMAH
Together they create a laugh riot for their devoted fans. As Jethabhai and Daya in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Dilip Joshi and Disha Vakani have clearly become small screen's cutest funny faces. Dilip, a veteran on small screen is now a household name for his comic turn in the show, while Disha's crackling laughter and her Hindi tinged with Gujarati dialect, had made a much loved character. The
1000 episode show continues to bank
on their combined ability to tickle
you pink.
GOPI VAHU, SAATH
NIBHANA SAATHIYA
For Devoleena Bhattacharjee, it was a tough task to step in Saath Nibhana Saathiya when she replaced Giaa Manek two months ago. But, Devoleena has proved that the character is more important than a star. She subtly recreated Gopi Vahu as the docile and dutiful daughter-inlaw and the audiences seem to have accepted her in their living rooms. Talk of suspension
of disbelief!
VIRAJ, DIL SE DI DUA... SAUBHAGYAVATI BHAV?
As Viraj in Dil Se Di Dua...Saubhagyavati Bhav?, Karanvir Bohra has made sure that grey's the most coveted colour to flaunt on television. At a time when male actors have to struggle for screen space, Karanvir as the obsessive and abusive husband sends shivers down your spine with
his mean sneer
and evil smirk.
MANAV AND ARCHANA,
PAVITRA RISHTA
Manav Deshmukh and Archana of Pavitra Rishta are your average married couple. Only their old marriage (seen over three chronological years in real time) has been a bumpy ride choc-a-bloc with twists and turns, but finally they are together. Ankita Lokhande has breathed so much life to the character of Archana that many in real life mistakingly call her Archana Lokhande! Hiten Tejwani, who replaced Sushant Singh Rajput in the same role a year and half ago has since found his feet in the show and all seems to be right in this rishta!
MAHADEV, DEVON KE DEV... MAHADEV
Mohit Raina in Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev used to be a relatively new face until he slipped on the divine garb and found stardom. The wellbuilt actor has since floored the audiences with his crooked smile, and his new screen identity has given the show the required eyeballs too! Being divine sure pays off !
ANANDI, BALIKA VADHU
Does anyone know who's Pratyusha Banerjee? As Anandi of Balika Vadhu — this Jamshedpur girl is a star in her own right and is best known as her screen character. However, it hasn't been easy to win the audience's heart as the grown up Anandi (considering Avika Gor was much loved as the child Anandi), Pratyusha's girl next door charm seems to have worked on her audience who love the new beti on the GEC block.