Why Lakshmi’s Storyline in Mangal Lakshmi Captivates Fans

As a viewer of this show, I find Lakshmi far more compelling than Mangal. Not only is she a homemaker, but she’s also a talented singer-songwriter—a trait introduced in early episodes yet left unexplored. Her chemistry with Kartik is captivating, giving them the potential to win the *Best Jodi* award on Colors. The characters in her storyline are complex and nuanced, unlike Mangal's story, where characters tend to be black-and-white. This complexity makes the Nigam family, where Lakshmi belongs, far more intriguing. Take Gayatri, for example, Mangal’s mother-in-law Kusum's younger sister and also Lakshmi’s mother-in-law. She's not purely negative; she has shades of grey. Gayatri is over-possessive of her son Kartik and jealous of his closeness with Lakshmi. In the past, she caused her own family to split, leading her mother-in-law to curse her that her son would one day be taken from her. This explains Gayatri's efforts to distance Kartik and Lakshmi, fearing a similar separation. Other characters add depth and conflict to this storyline. Kartik’s aunt Sanjana constantly clashes with Gayatri and Kusum, stirring up drama as she resents Gayatri for manipulating her brother into separating from their mother. Umesh, who generally supports Gayatri, sometimes stands against her to uphold what’s right, though the writers haven’t yet delved into his past—a key source of tension in their household. Kartik’s ex-fiancée, Jiya, who’s about to make a surprising return, also brings complexity. Misled by Kartik’s mother into breaking off their engagement, she has justifiable anger, which—though misdirected at Lakshmi is understandable. Kartik’s career as a popular singer and his relationships with Lakshmi and Jiya also warrant more exploration. After finding out about Mangal on their wedding night, it felt rushed and unconvincing for Kartik to commit to Lakshmi when he was moments away from running off to be with Jiya.

Overall, these layered storylines need further development. They would not only answer lingering questions but also add depth and dimension to the characters in Lakshmi’s world.