I know what exactly is missing. Acceptance, that she indeed is doing an awesome job amidst seasoned actors like Barun and ritu. What she is missing is a blind fan following. She has also failed to imbibe the chirpiness that is not required for her character remembering that the young Chandni was a carefree child but she was playing grown up scarred Chandni.
I am a fan of Shivani Tomar for the confidence she oozes despite all the negativity that surrounds her. It takes a Shivani Tomar to do justice to Chandni despite being rejected time and again for no mistake of hers. It takes a Shivani Tomar to put aside the unfair comparison between two characters who are poles apart and hence the requirement and still be able to be on her two feet and play the perfect Jodi for The Barun Sobti with elan.
You said it all so perfectly
No need to add anything else