TOI: New show stealers - Indresh-Bittuji

Character actors are now grabbing eyeballs and keeping audiences glued to their television screens with impressive and realistic performances.

Alka Kaushal
Role Play: Raziya in Qubool Hai
Raziya Bi is one of the meanest and most manipulative antagonists ever seen on telly. As the honey-tongued schemer Alka manages to overshadow even the leads singlehandedly whenever she's on screen. Draped modestly in heavily embroidered dupattas, heavy goldjewellery and loud make-up to highlight her character traits, Raziya is one negative character viewers can't ignore.

Akshay Dogra
Role Play: Akash Suraj Pratap Scindia, Punar Vivah
Akshay Dogra as the gold-digging half-brother of the male protagonist, Akash Suraj Pratap Scindia shines through in his first shot at playing a negative role. The handsome actor who was last seen as the mild biz tycoon in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, entered Punar Vivah recently and has managed to strike an instant connect with the audiences. His character has now taken a 360 degree turn and is on the verge of turning positive, until the next dramatic twist!

Sneha Wagh
Role Play: Ratanjeet Kaur, Ek Veer Ki Ardaas... Veera
After playing Miss Goody-two shoes in her last screen outing (Jyoti) the cherubic Sneha Wagh comes across as a surprise
package as the motormouth Punjaban, Ratanjeet, forsaken by her husband and forced to be the man of the house. From driving tractors to bringing up her children singlehanded, Sneha does complete justice to her character of earthmom.

Kiran Karmarkar
Role Play: Balraj Asthana, Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan
When it comes to sporting grey shades, television's erstwhile favourite pati Om, also known in real life as Kiran Karmarkar seems convincing enough. After a brief stint as a baddie in Uttaran, he dons the negative father-in-law's cap in Badalte Rishton Ki Daastan and carries the show on his shoulders. Kiran as the scheming, unsmiling Balraj Asthana who can stoop to any level for money, makes bad guys seem reel attractive!

Monica Bedi
Role Play: Guman Laxminandan Vyas, Saraswatichandra
Monica Bedi has already made quite an impression in her first small screen outing as the manipulative step-mom Guman in Saraswatichandra. She is one mother on the tube who dons the trendiest clothes. Whether she is dressed in a leather pants and a top or sexy see-through sarees, Monica teams up her look with sky-high heels. Twirling a strand of her hair (her trademark screen style), she is constantly scheming against her step-son.

Simran Kaur Hundal
Role Play: Anamika, Anamika
After playing the vivacious, girl-next-door in Na Ana Iss Des Laado, Simran Kaur who plays a witch in her new show has emerged as the face of the show, even stealing the limelight from the lead actors. Beautiful, cunning and sexy, this witch can resort to any means when it comes to wooing her beloved. Her impeccable fashion sense and her vivacity make her a scene-stealer through and through. No wonder the male lead looks totally smitten with her! On screen of course.

Indresh Malik
Role Play: Bittuji in Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
After his turn as the nasty antagonist in 12/24 Karolbagh, theatre actor Indresh Malik effortlessly slips into the shoes of the streetsmart star secretary Bittuji in Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. From a sidekick who blindly supports his 'Chief' aka RK the Superstar (Vivian Dsena) to the sensitive and affable man, Bittuji is a heartwarming
presence in a show and finds himself caught between the protagonists' clash of ego and revenge.

Himani Shivpuri
Role Play: Sunaina Chaturvedi, Aaj Ki Housewife Hai... Sab Jaanti Hai
l She is your typical smallscreen saas — clever, unforgiving and stern. Himani Shivpuri as Sunaina makes a greater impact than most actors in the show, including the leads. Clad in flashy silks, bright pink lipstick, minimalist jewellery and a dash of chalkwhite in her hair, Himani gets into the character with remarkable ease. Her sparring matches with the female lead gives the show its much needed masala.

Mukesh Khanna
Role Play: Purushottam Deewan, Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara
As someone best remembered as Bheeshma Pitamah and then superhero, Shaktimaan, Mukesh Khanna as the funloving granddad in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara is a welcome change. Once you ignore his Amitabh Bachchan hangover, Mukesh is one actor who stands tall with his towering presence (pun intended).

Supriya Pathak
Role Play: Umaben Borasagar, Chhanchhan
The latest entrant to the saas-bahu brigade is veteran actress Supriya Pathak, who takes up the role of Umaben. Strong-headed, opinionated, she's perfect as the tough-as-nails, mean mom-in-law who enjoys calling the shots. Brace yourself for the verbal duels with the female protagonist that will spice up the show proceedings in the near future.