Tracing Rohit Purohit's 1st year with Rishta - A congratulatory thread

Rishta is one of those shows that you don’t watch for the actors. It is more about the celebration of familial bonds, weddings and festivals, song and dance and so on. But good actors are always like icing on the cake, making the viewing experience that much more immersive and rewarding.

When Rohit Purohit made an entry into Rishta as Armaan, under rather unusual and not the most favorable of circumstances, a lot of judgmental eyes were trained on him. How was he going to live up to his predecessors, the leads of the previous generations of Rishta, and how was he going to make a character, which had been played briefly by another actor, all his own? It is never easy to step into shoes made to someone else’s measurements or to wear an outfit tailored to fit another. So, the challenge before Rohit was twofold really, he had to slip into a pre-existing image, find ways to mould his own persona, making the transition as seamless as possible for the audience.

What Rohit has achieved in this one year I would say is incredible. He started by trying to fit himself into the mould, then slowly the mould grew to fit him and with time, a whole new mould was fashioned that was likely much more than what the writers had originally conceived. When you have on board a versatile actor capable of delivering high voltage performances, a TV writer’s job becomes easier. They can write with the confidence that their lines and the emotions that accompany them will land easy. Rohit had always had a reputation for being an intense actor. However, with Rishta, he’s proved that his repertoire is a lot more extensive. He’s perfectly at ease playing the goofy and cheesy lover boy as well, even warming up to shaking a leg on occasion. For a man with two left feet, as I think he rather modestly describes himself, it must have taken some level of confidence for Rohit to dance his way into the show. It was quite the hero’s entry and since then, Rohit has put up a wonderful show as Armaan, showcasing his versatility in emotional, confrontational, romantic and even goofy scenes.

It is no surprise that he is being universally appreciated and feted for his turn as Armaan, with both online and offline audiences loving his character and his interpretation of the same. ITV show narratives are largely female-driven and male actors rarely get a chance to display their acting prowess. With Armaan, Rohit has gotten that rare opportunity. At the risk of sounding cliche, it must be said that he’s been devouring his scenes and leaving no crumbs behind!

Write-up credit: SharadRocks

One year ago today, a bespectacled, green-blue eyed, extremely handsome and charming Rohit Purohit entered Rishta to be the new Armaan. And what an entry it was – because not only did he replace another actor, but he also rewrote the character of Armaan that we had all come to know for over three months. He was still the same family oriented, burdened by guilt and overwhelmed with gratitude kind of person, but in addition to all of this, Rohit’s Armaan also looked like the mature and suave lawyer we were promised at the start of this new gen of Rishta.

In this past year, there’s not a shade of Armaan that Rohit hasn’t shown or aced. He has single-handedly lifted the character of Armaan from an average boy next door to that of a person with multiple layers of emotion, love, pain and deep-rooted trauma. And the entire credit for making the audiences switch from being vehemently anti-Armaan to finding him endearing and sincere enough to look past his errors of judgment and empathize with his earnest attempts at admitting and correcting his faults goes to the actor within Rohit Purohit.

We, who hated him during the Shiv Shakti episode, could still feel his pain, when he absolutely rocked the post-divorce hearing confrontation with Abhira –the raw emotion was clearly visible in his eyes as her words pierced his soul. Since that day, it has been an upward trajectory for Rohit Purohit – the actor behind Armaan! All the scenes from the bachelor’s party, including the confrontations with Sanjay Bansal urf Phupha Sa and Kaveri Poddar urf Dadi Sa (a formidable Anita Raaj), the realization that he too was in love, the absolutely perfect emotions with which he described his new found love to Ruhi, his Majnumaan phase outside Rose Garden, the entire Teej sequence, the much awaited wedding and even until the BSP track, Rohit Purohit made us all laugh with him, cry for him, root for his victory and celebrate with him when he succeeds!

But the icing on the cake this year has to be the most recent scenes involving the revelation of Armaan’s biological mother Shivani. His breakdown and meeting with Shivani made us cry buckets for the child in him, and his hurt and grief while confronting Kaveri and Vidya, made us feel as enraged as he was through it all. If that doesn’t speak of good acting, then I don’t know what does.

From dancing his way into the shoes of a different Armaan Poddar to throwing his shoes out of the Poddar house to walkout as just Armaan, this past year belongs to the guy behind the character, Rohit Purohit. You, Mr Purohit, are an actor to be celebrated, cherished and treasured. Congratulations on a fabulous year of making us all discover a brand-new avatar of yourself, and of being our much loved Armaan Poddar!!!

Write-up credit: Ohgod!

#Abhimaan, as their couple moniker goes, is one of most loved ITV pairs in recent times thanks to the effortless onscreen chemistry that Rohit Purohit as Armaan has been able to generate with Samriddhi Shukla as Abhira. March 25th 2024 marks a year since Rohit stepped into the shoes of Armaan, and his onscreen aura redefined how the couple had been perceived till before then.

The show follows the journey of a couple, polar opposites in terms of their personalities, that is forced to come together under tragic circumstances but goes on to form a soul connection that refuses to die even in the face of complications and challenges.

Rohit brings Armaan to life as the dutiful son torn between his familial responsibilities and a marriage that he submits himself to as a debt of gratitude to his dying mentor. Initially he finds Abhira, his wife cum ward, silly and immature as she is a complete contrast to his serious personality. The hot shot lawyer is so caught up in his routine at work and home that he has no time to stop and smell the roses. Abhira comes in as a breath of fresh air that transforms his arid existence and infuses in him the joy for living. As he falls slowly but irrevocably in love with her, Armaan is transformed as a person. He learns to stand up for himself and grab his chance at happiness, even if it goes against the grain of his existence till then. Almost pushed back into a past he had moved on from, Armaan fights his way back to Abhira and the love that has become the beacon that shows him the way forward. This entire journey has been beautifully captured with Rohit brilliantly showcasing a variety of emotions, from anger to denial, from disbelief to hope and finally accepting to himself and to the world at large that Abhira and he are meant to be Abhimaan!

Kudos to Rohit and Samriddhi for bringing Abhimaan’s electrifying chemistry to life, easily finding them a place in ITV history’s hall of fame as one of its most iconic couples. So yes, Rishta Gen 4 is the beautiful story of how Armaan and Abhira found their way to each other to become Abhimaan!

Write-up credit: Anashqu

Pic credit: Fortnight

Armaan had spent his whole life without knowing a mother’s unconditional love. The mother-son love that he had experienced from Vidya was one fraught with fear of loss, constant reminders of the ehsaans bestowed, demands of sacrifice that often left a void in his heart and the sautela card that could be played at any time. Rohit’s exceptional portrayal helped us strongly connect with and root for Armaan with all his vulnerabilities and many of us waited for the time when Armaan would know more about his real mom Shivani, whom he believed was no more and whose memories he had kept locked in the deep corners of his mind.

Shivani and her Aaru’s first milan was an intense tearjerker brilliantly portrayed by Rohit (and Vibhuti) with the rishta bgm adding to the beauty of the sequence. Rohit’s beautiful eyes were the focus as Shivani instinctively recognized him even in her disturbed mental state and called out for her Aaru. Rohit was excellent as he showcased the feeling of an inexplicable bond mixed with confusion as Shivani caressed Armaan’s face and placed her hand on his head. Armaan later came to know from Abhira that his mummy is alive and again we saw another brilliantly enacted sequence from Rohit as Armaan navigated a wide variety of emotions from disbelief, confusion, acceptance, sheer joy, guilt and a final breakdown and then finding comfort in wrapping his mother’s saree around him. Aaru met his mummy finally and allowed himself to experience her embrace for the first time. Back at Poddar House, Armaan came to know of the ultimate and cruel betrayal from the two people whose acceptance he had always craved, and we got another blockbuster performance from Rohit starting with Armaan’s breakdown on knowing the truth to his confrontation with Vidya and Kaveri, and finally to his walking out of Poddar House after choosing his mummy over the prestige of the Poddar name. One of the more heartfelt sequences between Aaru and his mummy is the café sequence where Shivani feeds him and his eyes well up as he recollects childhood memories of similar moments, with Rohit’s portrayal touching a deep chord. In their new life, we see Shivani and Aaru slowly building the mother-son bond, it is not an easy one considering the number of years that have passed where the two were lost to each other. Rohit has been good in these sequences clearly conveying Armaan’s conflict with the subtle change of expressions. Armaan has stayed out of Poddar House and away from Vidya for more than 5 months in spite of Shivani herself advocating for Vidya at times and it is no mean feat.

Shivani embodies the essence of maternal love we always wanted Armaan to experience – unconditional, understanding, giving without expectations and prioritizing her son’s happiness. And though we might not have got as many sequences as we would have liked that showcases the mother – son bond, Vibhuti and Rohit have managed to convey the warmth of the bond every time with their sincere and honest portrayal of Shivani and her Aaru.

Write-up credit: Solitudelover

Armaan's relationships with the members of the Poddar family have been so distinctly different yet very special in their own ways. They have all had their individual & familial journeys with him, and love him in straightforward and twisted ways.

Armaan and Kaveri have a very complicated relationship. The funny thing is even after everything she did to him, he doesn't hate her, as he always knew what she was capable of. And for her, he was the most intelligent & farmabadaar child of her legacy whom she could not just depend on, but also expect to understand her legacy & take it ahead. That is why everytime he rebelled, it hurt her the most. And despite a houseful of family, he knows Kaveri the most - more than anyone else, because he truly saw her as his grandmother. Not Kaveri Poddar who managed the Poddar firm, but his Dadisa who was his elder & brought him in this house & gave him every kind of opportunity when at one point he was left with nothing. The entire credit to just how hard every single scene between Armaan and Dadisa hits, goes to Rohit and Anita ji. Their charming warm rapport off-screen translates beautifully and effortlessly to pull through such intense, emotional scenes that tugs at our heartstrings.

Another such character that Rohit Purohit as Armaan has managed to vibe beautifully with on the show is that of phuphasa aka Sanjay Bhansal. I have always joked that Phupasa & Armaan are one of the few ships of this season, where Phupasa is actually jealous of the attention Armaan gives Abhira, which is why he hates her. But jokes aside, these collarmates truly embody the light & dark aspect of the show. Honestly Armaan putting Sanjay in his place have been the most seeti-maar moments of the show, be it the collar hold after the infamous bachelor party, or the "Warna Kya?" moment where Sanjay was forced to publicly apologize for his mistakes. Phupasa has been the most underrated shipper for #Abhimaan mainly because he has been the catalyst to help them move their relationship ahead, due to his abhorrent actions to take revenge from them.

Rohit Purohit has one of the most effortless chemistry with everyone of his co-stars, so much so that you can believe the relationships his character shares with them in the show. Be it the effortless camaraderie with the Chorus gang, Rohit & Ruhi, his respectful & loving relationship with Dadisa, Chachisa & Buasa or the sweet & teasing relationship he has with his mummy, papa, Chachasa & Phupasa, Rohit has shown time and again that he is truly loved, appreciated & respected in that show, despite coming in much later & having to build his status with the cast & crew. Also a shoutout to how Rohit appreciates the crew along with the case, openly and on various forums. He never shies to acknowledge their role in making him who is today & make sure that the spotlight is on every one who has contributed to his success, no matter who.

Write-up credit: Apsvenky

Rohit Purohit - good looks, wonderful actor, with an even better sense of humour. Sure, his handsome face and beautiful eyes draw you in, but his charming personality will keep you hooked for life. ❤️

It's difficult to remember specific instances of his funny moments because he says the most unhinged things in every interview! The man has no filter and that makes for amazingly candid and fun interactions. He has a finger on the audience’s pulse and knows what we like, because he feels the same way. For example, like us, he questioned how Abhira's hair didn't grow an inch for 3 months, but after 5 months, it had suddenly grown so much (almost Rapunzel-like). He blamed it on the hormonal changes from the IVF. Apart from him, who could come up with something so ridiculous, yet hilarious? 😂

https://x.com/typicalteazz/status/1901929682200908127

Rohit is the most unserious person you'll ever encounter. His personality is goofball personified and his vlogs prove the same. Take for instance, when he puts on his co-star Samridhii's wig. We all hate that wig but love this video. 😆

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEDQvhwiV8E/?igsh=ZmZ3YjB4Z2VuNGJi

Or an interview game where he was asked to modulate his voice, according to the prompt. Rohit's goofiness and quick wit is on display here. He has this big smile on his face through the byte because he's always up for anything and everything. You just can't not have fun with this guy. 😄

https://youtu.be/xEQOYB0K8hA?si=RBMVLtEwVukcdcfi

Overall, Rohit Purohit makes everything enjoyable with his charming personality, quick wit, and incredible sense of humour. In the span of one year, there have been countless goofy moments that have made us all smile. It's evident that even his co-stars love spending time with him because he just takes the edge off so easily with his jokes. 😂

We love you and your incredible personality, Ro. Happy One Year Anniversary! Thank you for being you! ❤️

Write-up credit: ThePinkPanther

Rohit rightly deserves appreciation for “Armaan” but Rohit, the person outside the character of "Armaan" deserves appreciation of his own. His on-screen presence is always a treat to watch but how he manages to show the warmth and positivity off camera really stands out.

His kind and genuine nature, his incredible energy and camaraderie that he brings, his interviews/vlogs/social media interactions - the friendly banter, his comedic timing - everything draws you in. From sharing inside jokes with Samriddhi to laughing without reason with Romiit or Saloni, Rohit’s vlogs and the short clips he adds on YouTube prove that his off-screen bond with the cast members is nothing but organic. His warmth shines through with the way he goes and greets each cast member with a hug. He has such a positive energy that it’s not surprising that the chemistry he has with his co-actors off camera comes off so naturally onscreen too. And the biggest proof of this chemistry is what he shares with Anita Raaj. Armaan’s on-screen issues with his Dadisa aside, Rohit’s endearing relationship with Anita Raaj is laced with so much love and mischief off-screen. The video where Rohit pranks Anita ji without offending her is so adorable that despite their clashes, you can still notice the underlying twisted notion of love their relationship has on-screen.

His most recent vlog on YouTube showcased his off-screen bond with the chorus gang. The fun element that he has with them gives off the sibling/older brother vibes - whether it was the leg pulling/cracking jokes with Manthan and Rishabh or teasing Saloni for her singing.

Rohit’s sincere bond with his fellow cast members adds to the magic of what we see on screen. His screen presence is undeniable and his positive attitude off screen is infectious - it’s no wonder he’s loved not just as an actor but as a person too.

His acting talent aside, Rohit is also such a gifted photographer and each of the captures of his colleagues and the way those clicks are appreciated once again, only emphasise on the comfortable bond he shares with everyone. A man of many talents, Rohit also often earns admiration for his singing skills. Mummy Shivani was surely impressed with her Aaru’s singing prowess and dropped a few comments on his music videos, while we fans continue to keep up the hope that we will get to see Armaan sing on the show one day.

Rohit, the fact that so many of your posts and videos include not just your co-actors but also the crew on set from spot dada to light boys, from editors to directors is a testament to your humility and the respect you provide for the art both on and off screen.

Your talent, your friendliness, your kind heartedness, your humbleness make you stand out, and I’m a proud fan, Rohit Purohit! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

Write-up credit: Henriette

Rohit's steady climb up the popularity charts

Congratulations Rohit for your brilliant 1 year journey as Armaan

From the time you danced your way into the show to 1 year later when you have etched your name in so many hearts as Armaan - what a wonderful journey it has been! Your excellent portrayal of Armaan with all the varied and nuanced shades is a major reason why I have been hooked on to this show for this long inspite of not being much of an itv viewer. The way you have aced the various confrontational sequences and the emotional ones, the romantic sequences and the goofy ones - all are a testament to your immense acting talent and the efforts you take to polish and enhance it. Your connect with the fans and how you constantly appreciate their efforts has lovingly earned you the title of 'Captain sa' from the fandom- captain of our favorite ship Abhimaan. Your ivs are also something that we all look forward to - be it for the absolute fun elements, the camaraderie on display or for the way you explain the character perspective.

Really happy to see you receiving the appreciation, recognition and audience love that you rightfully deserve.

Onwards and upwards, Rohit!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON A MAGNIFICENT YEAR ROHIT

Rohit Purohit, what a year this has been! To step into a pre-existing character and own it like it was always yours to begin with, you, Mr. Purohit have been not just convincing but in some instances exemplary with your earnestness that you bring to the role.

From getting us hooked onto Armaan with sheer looks to forcing us to look deeper into the perspectives of this layered character, you have been so amazing!! The warmth of your off-screen persona shines just as bright as your character on screen.

You have earned every tiny bit of the love, appreciation and fandom through sheer hard work and humility. And I, for one, couldn't be more happy that you are our Armaan! May your talent keep growing manifold and may you scale greater heights!

Shine on, rock on and roll on Rohit!!!