TOI: The new show stealers - NBT

Dramatic twists, heaps of tearjerking melodrama and lots of misunderstandings — 18 new entries in daily soaps are responsible for all that and more!

Storylines on the small screen have their share of twists and turns, but what really keeps the audience hooked to a show is the entry of a new character, which takes the show to a different level altogether. That probably explains why, have been as many as 18 'new' entries in daily soaps in recent times! Dil Se Di Dua...Saubhagyavati Bhav? catapulted to new highs (read better TRPs)

after the entry of hottie Harshad Chopra; Siddharth Shukla's entry in Balika Vadhu followed by a new love track helped the show reach the No. 2 slot (June 20 - July 3) on the TRP charts. Some recent new entries include Harshad Chopra and Neha Mehta in Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhav?, Neha Sargam in Punar Vivaah — Zindagi Milegi Dobara, Samir Kochhar and Deepti Shrikant in Bade Achhe Laggte Hain, Neha Jhulka and Rubina Dilaik in Saas Bina Sasural, Seema Deshmukh in Saath Nibahana Saathiya, Aamir Dalvi in Chhal — Sheh Aur Maat, Vrinda Dawda in Dil Dosti Dance, Mayank Gandhi in Ek Doosre Se Karte Hain Pyaar Hum, Khalid Siddiqui and Prinal Oberoi in Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha, Manish Naggdev in Madhubala — Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Mohan Kapur in Amrit Manthan, Varun Kapoor in Humse Hai Life and Hiten Tejwani in Kya Huaa Tera Vaada.
While there is an intrigue factor with their emphatic entry sequences in the show, which gets it due dose of dramatic twists, actors seem to be finding the role play exciting. Actor Neha Sargam says, "I'm glad that I'm doing a role that is a departure from what I've essayed so far. She has a mind of her own and will fight for what she believes in. That's what attracted me to the role."

Actor Khalid Siddiqui says, "Na Bole Tum... is a popular show with a nice concept that's treated differently. The current track is interesting and I'm cutting in and making things more interesting."

So what do regular actors feel about the entry of another actor and stealing a little time of their show(s)? Actor Aishwarya Sakhuja says, "Divya's (Neha Jhulka) entry has brought about an interesting track. A story always has its ups and downs and Toasty has always lived with challenges." New entrants also help reduce the burden of lead actors at times. Actor Mouli Ganguly seconds the thought, " I'm very happy with Hiten's entry in the show. A new character can certainly help to hype things. But after that, it is always the story and whether people are happy with the track or not."
With new actors entering daily soaps and bringing new twists the audience is all set to witness interesting drama sequences on the tube.

Neha Sargam Demure Neha Sargam is the runaway bride in Punar Vivaah, a character meant to act as a catalyst to start off the romance between the lead couple!

Samir Kochhar Samir Kochhar makes his fiction debut on TV with Bade Achhe... as a savvy biz tycoon who is Sakshi's new love interest.

Harshad Chopra Harshad Chopra is Raghav, the docile Sia/Jhanvi's saviour and possible love interest in Dil Se Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhav?. That he might eventually end up as the main male lead is being popularly believed of late!

Rubina Dilaik Rubina Dilaik in a new, revamped Avatar with curly locks and a warm smile is Smiley, touted to be an important character in Saas Bina Sasural.

Siddharth Shukla Siddharth Shukla as the new man in the female protagonist Anandi's (in Balika Vadhu) life. His entry has upped the popularity quotient of the show. The zillion buck question: will he be the new male lead?