No, simply being on the poster doesn't decide his value but I think it is a telling change from the PH's side. I honestly don't think they'd every dreamed HS would be a runaway hit (and neither did Aniruddh). That just gave them the avenue to explore his character in more depth. It is the belief of many here, including me, that they had given every character a proper back story and set up their past, which helped define how they have appeared on the show and how the actors have portrayed the many layers. This is why as they reveal new layers to each character it doesn't appear contrived.
For me, I have always seen it as a story of the trio, but the poster just puts it out there, you know. It could also signify that yes, mother-daughter started out on their own journey of self-discovery as they left home. They were enough for one another, but before they knew it HS sneaked into their lives and made a place in their hearts that no one had ever expected, and now he is a part of them as they are a part of him.
Really? I just find that hard to believe. I wasn’t here in real time when the epi aired but even catching up as a neutral viewer, his character made an instant impression, was given solid dialogues and nuanced scenes. And then Ofcourse Aniruddh played it all superbly too.
So to me it just seemed obvious that this will be a central character helping chart a new phase for the show as Babita and Mini move into his house. It was obvious he was going to be their future....and the future wouldn’t be a supporting character but a core element.
Yes, the writers do a very good job of giving every character big or small a lot of meat to develop but there is still a notable difference between HS and other supporting characters, and I don’t think it’s developed beyond their expectations....they always intended him to be a crucial part of B and M’s life. Ofcourse Aniruddh performance has elevated it further but the character of HS always seemed core. They brought in a whole world along with HS - Laale, Naeem Bi, the whole mohalla, so clearly they planned it significantly.