/+ DSDDSB: The story so far +\ (NO COMMENTS!)

By: Ana (Elysia)

Born into the powerful Singhania family rooted in Gurgaon, Delhi, Raghavendra [Raghav] is the second son and heir to his mother Gayatri's fortune. His older brother Dev's untimely death resulted in Raghav leaving his home, his family, building a garage on a property once given to him by his brother that also became his new residence. When he didn't fix vehicles for money, he roamed the streets of Gurgaon to protect those weaker than him and soon became known for it. He aided a lot of women, bringing them to the shelter for women founded by his own mother.

Thus he became a part-time mechanic alongside his best friend Sundar, and a full-time rebel with a cause.

Pure-hearted, protective, selfless, empathic, kind, and strong are a number of adjectives that describe his character. He strives to save people, help them rebuild themselves. It seems that he cannot stand to see people in pain. This is not only evident from the relationship between him and the women at the ashram who see him as their brother, but it's also evident from what he has done for Sia and the way that Didi at the ashram speaks of him. At one point, Sia says to Tanisha that Raghav absorbs others' pain and makes it his own:

"Aapke bhaiyya woh doosro ki taqlifon ko apna bana lete hain." ' Episode 158

He sacrifices without question and never expects nor asks for anything in return. Something that is, again, evident from what he has done for those weaker than him ' even when they didn't ask for help. Sia is one such example.

His physical strength [as well as his psychological strength] has been displayed many times on the show. In his fight for justice, he collides with the law. In fact, from his entry and onward, it has been emphasized by the writers that he has some kind of personal issue with the law/police. He doesn't trust them. The police force doesn't like Raghav. They are intimidated by him and his family background.

Despite being a strong character, Raghav seems as broken as those that he attempts to save. Haunted by a past that remains a mystery to us, he is weighed down by a constant self-blame, self-hatred, and remorse. It becomes more evident in some of his scenes with Sia in which he speaks of his brother, how he had been blamed for Dev's death, and how his soul purpose is to mend his brother's son ' almost as if that might be his redemption, his chance to redeem himself. He speaks of his past as something that walks with him like a shadow, haunting him:

"Kabhi kabhi humara ateet, humari yaadein humara peecha nahi chodti. Zindagi bhar saaya ban ke humare saath chalti rehti hai." ' Episode 157

Though having a family and best friend, Raghav is essentially lonely. This is mostly emphasized in the scene at the hospital after Sia's accident [Episode 151] when there is a slow shot of him walking down the empty hallway alone, leaving his family behind.

Being a man of very few words, people might interpret him as someone who isn't intelligent. But it is quite on the contrary. Raghav has a sharp mind and watchful skills. He observes people and notices details about them that he turns over in his head, reaching a conclusion. In short: He is analytic, reflective, and rational.

Despite having lived "on the streets of Gurgaon" for four years, he has remained well-mannered and well-spoken which refers directly to his wealthy upbringing. There is something respectful and dignified about the way that he phrases his thoughts/opinions, but at the same time it is genuine. He doesn't wrap things in wool, or lie to please/humor people, but is always straightforward which points to his intentions being uncorrupted and pure.

His verbal pattern and clean speech is most evident when he converses with his family, Sia, and Viraj. But with Sundar and Krish, he loosens up and allows himself to switch to a more or less easygoing manner of speech.

Raghav's physical movements are deliberate/purposeful and calm which somehow contradict his temper. Perhaps he has practiced it in order to control his anger. However, he can easily switch to a bit clumsy ' if put in an awkward or nervous situation, i.e. around Sia. Sundar, at one point, implies that Raghav wasn't always such a serious man. Komal, in another scene, clarifies that he used to be a prankster.

The writers have built a multidimensional, layered character in Raghav and we're yet to explore them all.

There are few important people in his life who have the power to affect him on an emotional level. Gayatri and Krish are the ones that top the list. His relationship to Gayatri wasn't always strained. In fact, we have been provided with brief glimpses of what their relationship used to be like pre Dev's death.

"Yaad dilane aaya hoon ke pehle humara rishta kaisa tha." ' Episode 171

It provides us with the fact that their relationship used to be different. Raghav speaks to Gayatri about how they used to be friends and further confirms our theory.

"Jab main aapka beta huya karta tha tab. Thoda bada huya toh aapne mujhe apna dost bana liya." ' Episode 171

Basically, one can tell that they used to be closer as mother and son. However, circumstances changed that and altered their relationship. Now, there's a strain on their bond ' because the bond is still as powerful as it always was ' and pride along with stubbornness is in the way.

The evidence of that strong bond and emotions still existing came in form of the scene at Raghav's garage when he touched her feet and she blessed him with a quiet wonder. The emotions that welled up in her at that point came as a surprise to her and Raghav. They were always there ' even when she purposely aimed to hurt Raghav by accepting Viraj into her home against his better judgment. She does value his opinion, but refuses to acknowledge it. This is something that Raghav is aware of [as we've witnessed in the scene when Viraj is leaving for Manali and Raghav cleverly argues with his mother that Sia shouldn't go with him].

The second major influence in Raghav's life is his nephew Krish whom he cherishes above all else. This is a bond that stretches beyond that of uncle-nephew and instead crosses into that of kindred spirits. There's a connection between the two of them that no one can describe/name nor possibly comprehend. It's a silent understanding, comfort, support, and a love that is rather unconditional.

To Raghav, Krish is more than just his responsibility ' he's a soul purpose. Krish is his redemption. In fact, as much as he struggles to keep Krish happy and make sure that he's safe, Raghav needs Krish more than Krish needs him. He is dependent on Krish. This is both a beautiful and dangerous bond, because Krish holds the power to make Raghav immensely happy and also destroy his world [should anything ever happen to Krish].

At one point, Sia asks Raghav about Krish and he clarifies it with:

"Jaan hai meri. Meri duniya, mera sab kuch hai woh." ' Episode 141

Krish remains the one soul in front of whom Raghav drops his guard, all of his defenses, and whom he easily shares his innermost thoughts/emotions with without restraint. They're a team and they have each other's back.

But Krish is also the way to Raghav's heart ' something that Sia has succeeded without even thinking it. She has become an influential force in Raghav's life on a different level altogether. She has provided him with a kind of emotional push needed for him to reach out to his mother and return home. And he has started to become attached to her warm personality and the kind of emotional strength she offers him without him even asking for it. She fills out a void in him with her presence.

By: Ana (Elysia)

Gayatri is a woman of wealth and power. Not much has been revealed about her character, except that she is the mother of Dev, Raghav, and Tanisha, the mother-in-law of Komal, and the grandmother of Krish. We don't know what happened to her husband, but we assume that he is dead.

From what we have seen of Gayatri, she appears to be an independent, sharp-minded woman with strong principles that she doesn't compromise with. For years, she has run the Singhania business on her own and built up a reputation that holds great power in Gurgaon. She has made enemies.

Despite being the owner of a million-dollar company and an influential woman, she has invested a lot of her time into charity such as building hospitals and shelter homes for women. In that regard, she seems to have a generous nature and consideration for the needy.

Her exterior, however, resembles that of an Ice Queen; dispassionate, cold, intimidating. And yet this Ice Queen has a pounding heart in her chest. Her family is most important to her ' which is evident in the way that she dotes on Krish, the way that she reprimands Tanisha for her mistakes, and the relationship that she shares with Komal. Like Raghav, she is protective of them.

Perhaps due to her investment in her work, she hasn't been able to build a proper relationship to Tanisha. We see how Tanisha wears short skirts without anyone [with the exception of Komal] to reprimand her for it. We also see it in how Tanisha parties and returns home late at night without anyone's supervision. Along with the strained relationship Gayatri has with Raghav, she does question herself as a good mother at one point.

With Gayatri, there is also self-blame involved in relation to her son's death and Raghav's abandonment. It seems that, deep down, she feels that she has somehow failed as a mother since she wasn't able to protect her son, nor keep her family together in the wake of Dev's death. That self-blame, however, is transformed into anger and disappointment and aimed at Raghav for leaving when she needed him the most.

Her relationship to Komal is equally interesting because it stands out from other saas-bahu relations. It is a refreshing saas-bahu relationship that is founded on genuine love and trust. Gayatri shares her innermost thoughts/emotions with Komal, drops her guard in front of her ' and when taking important decisions, she councils with Komal regardless of whether it's a personal or professional matter. In fact, she values Komal's opinion and support, and their relationship is more that of two friends than in-laws.

Gayatri, in spite of seeming like an untouchable power, has a warm heart and tends to become surprisingly vulnerable at times ' though mostly when she is alone. Her hard exterior appears to be a shield against hurt.

She has a strange need for perfection/order ' something that might be an outward reaction to something psychological/emotional. It hasn't been explored in depth as of yet.

By: Ana (Elysia)

Komal is the widowed sister-in-law to Raghav. We don't know much about Komal other than that she is a doctor and has a son who is mute. But in spite of being a stereotypical daughter-in-law [i.e. self-sacrificing], she has atypical shades to her character that make her stand out. Subtle hints have been given that there's a story to tell in relation to her past/character.

Though her relationship to Gayatri is strong and trusting, Komal does not open up to Gayatri in the same way that Gayatri does toward her ' specifically in relation to Dev. She doesn't question Gayatri unless it is something that she is strongly against such as Gayatri refusing to let Raghav return home.

Komal is very fond of Raghav. She has a maternal streak that often manifests itself when she speaks to him about moving forward with his life, when she comforts him [i.e. the scene at the hospital in the wake of Krish's asthma attack], and when she feeds him [halwa, tea, etc.]. She cares for him a lot and the family in general. It is important to her that their family sticks together and seems to have worked hard to make it happen in the past four years.

By: Ana (Elysia)

Tanisha is Raghav's younger, spoiled sister. She's a college student and returns from a girls' hostel. We are not informed if she has completed her education or if she is on a break. Tanisha is a sweet, lively character who is quite talkative and friendly toward others. At times, she does have an attitude problem due to the influences of staying alone at a girls' hostel with no supervision from her mother. This has resulted in bad habits such as drinking, partying till late at night, and wearing clothes that expose.

Despite her modernized persona and bad habits, she has a good heart. She means well for others and she loves her family very much. But she is nave and easily manipulated ' especially by Viraj.

We know that she and Raghav are close, that they used to help each other cheat in grade school. Tanisha can be careless at times, irresponsible, and she is reprimanded for it by her mother whom she finds a bit intimidating. She doesn't seem to have a close relationship to Gayatri, nor Komal. Raghav and Krish are the two members of the family whom she spends most of her time with when she's not out with her friends.

By: Ana (Elysia)

The mute boy with soulful eyes and an uncanny ability to sense people's intentions ' Krish is the son of Dev and Komal, and the nephew of Raghav. From his very first scene [with Sia], it was evident that this boy was something special; a broken pattern. There is something unique about him, something that sets him apart from other children and it isn't just his muteness, but the way that he observes people and reads them.

Despite being a child, he seems to have a way with people in his life that tends to make them feel solaced and understood and cared for. More than being carried around, Krish is the one who carries others, i.e. Sia and Raghav [metaphorically speaking, of course]. This is evident in Raghav/Krish and Krish/Sia emotional scenes. For instance when Sia finds Viraj in the Singh house after his accident and escapes to her room to break down. Krish witnesses her fear and tears and instead of being frightened himself, he offers her comfort through his touch and silent look.

There is something mature about the way that he watches people ' as if he sees through them to their cores.

Krish has asthma. He is a compassionate soul, too intelligent for his age, but playful like other children. He enjoys running, playing Tag, and doing masti with Raghav. Despite his muteness and psychological trauma, he lives. He had a nightmare of a stranger trying to harm him, but we weren't shown if the nightmare is a repetitive one.

Like Raghav, Krish is a thinker and observer. He often imitates Raghav because he admires him and sees him as his role model.

By: Ana (Elysia)

Sundar is the best and only friend Raghav has. We've been told that they have known each other for about 26 years which means that Sundar is a childhood friend. They have a very strong friendship that borders on brotherly. Raghav often treats him like a younger brother, teasing him relentlessly. In return, Sundar never refrains from provoking Raghav, knowing exactly which buttons to press.

Sundar is someone that Raghav trusts blindly. He doesn't always open up about his thoughts/emotions in front of Sundar, but he doesn't have to either. Sundar reads Raghav easily ' probably because he knows him so well. Sundar is quite protective of Raghav and it's important to him that Raghav moves forward in his life, allows himself to be happy.

We don't know anything about Sundar's family situation, or what his interests are apart from helping out Raghav at his garage, hanging out with him at street corners, etc.

Sundar is overweight and dorky with a pair of thick, square black-rimmed glasses that tend to slip down on his nose. He wears funky T-shirts and jeans which make him appear very young. He loves food and it often distracts him. He is sweet and playful, and not afraid of confronting Raghav with anything.

DEV SINGHANIA

By: Ana (Elysia)

Not much is known about Dev other than that he died due to some accident that Raghav is held responsible for. We know that Dev was a business man, suit and clean-shaven, and loved. We know that he believed in discipline and order like his mother, that purple was his favorite color, and also that he left a wife and a son behind when he died.

From what we have been shown so far, we assume that Dev and Raghav were close as brothers ' though it appears that they were opposites in many ways. There is a lot of mystery around Dev's character as Komal becomes mum when he is spoken of and Krish, at one point, drew his father as an intimidating shadow. But it seems that everyone loved Dev and that he was a good man.