Indian television has recently been a women-centric industry with a family drama at its centre. The TV industry can provide better and more relatable roles to female casts with post-modern concepts and themes. And not to forget, the very Indian concept of sanskaari bahu is different from anything worldwide.
The portrayal of a daughter-in-law or ‘Bahu’ is peculiar to Indian television. In almost all Indian soap operas viewed across millions of households, the daughter-in-law character is at its core. As shown on television, the ‘Indian Bahu’ plays a loving wife, an in-charge housewife, and an ideal daughter-in-law.
Apart from the elegant jewellery and crisp sarees they wear, the ‘bahu’ epitomizes an ideal woman. The characters they play are usually modest, sweet, and utmost ‘sanskaari.’ The women who characterize ‘sanskaari bahu’ have a different fashion sense altogether in their real lives.
Jennifer Winget
Jennifer has been in the television industry for quite some time. Many people still remember her because of the cheerful singer she played in the show Karthika on Hungama TV. Since then, she has taken more incredible strides with successful shows like ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay,’ ‘Dill Mill Gayye,’ ‘Saraswatichandra,’ ‘Bepannaah,’ ‘Sangam, etc.
Her most successful role has been because of the obsessed lover Maya within the serial ‘Beyhadh.’ With ‘Beyhadh 2’ now running on television, Jennifer has never been more loved by fans.
She is additionally known for her ethereal beauty and type of nature, which has only increased her popularity. She is arguably the foremost famous television actress in India at present.
Tina Dutta
On Colors TV, a daily soap named ‘Uttaran’ featured Tina starred as an innocent girl and gained tons of fame due to her fantastic sanskaari bahu performance. She depicted a charming, simple, and innocent side of herself on the show. Still, she outshines many Bollywood actresses when it involves boldness within the real personality.
Divyanka Tripathi
Divyanka Tripathi is one of the most traditional and beautiful actresses on Indian TV. After appearing in actual shows and telefilms, she started her mainstream TV career with the hit show ‘Banoo Main Teri Dulhann.’ She has earned many awards for her incredible performances over the years.
Sonarika Bhadoria
On the show, ‘Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev’ aired on Life OK, which may be a mythological television program; Sonarika played Parvati, the wife of Mahadev. The show made her famous, and she is among the foremost recognized faces on Indian television.
In her personal life, she is far different from what she appears on TV. She loves travelling, happening adventure trips, getting herself clicked in bikinis, etc. You can’t deny that her pictures are sizzling hot.
Nia Sharma
Nia Sharma is popular on television and social media for her engaging roles and bold personality. The audience always appreciates her quirky fashion sense. She gained popularity for her role as Manvi Chaudhary in the Star Plus serial ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai.’ She has also appeared in ‘Jamai Raja’ and ‘Ishq Mein Marjawan.’
Currently, she plays Brinda’s lead role in the successful show ‘Naagin 4.’ Nia isn’t an unfamiliar face to reality shows. She appeared as a contestant in ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 8.’
She has repeatedly been featured in the top lists of the sexiest Asian women. Additionally, she has also worked in many web series.
Devoleena Bhattacharjee
The ‘Gopi Bahu’ of Indian television is subjected to many memes on social media. Devoleena Bhattacharjee portrays the role of a super sanskaari bahu in the program on Star Plus, ‘Saath Nibhaana Saathiya.’ She has emerged together as the foremost loved and adored actress on TV.
She plays an extremely dutiful, wearing only Indian attire and jewellery, but is contrasting when it involves her real-life personality.
Rashami Desai
Rashami Desai has been brilliant on the TV screens for several years now. She started her small screen stint with ‘Ravan’ on Zee TV, followed by ‘Meet Mila De Rabba,’ ‘Pari Hoon Main, and ‘Uttaran.’
She has also starred in ‘Ssshhhh…Phir Koi Hai.’ Rashami gained widespread popularity with ‘Uttaran’ because of the negative lead Tapasya.
Saumya Tandon
The show ‘Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hai,’ of &TV, is amongst the comic genre’s most-watched television programs. Saumya Tandon plays the role of Anita Bhabhi, also called Gori Ma’am, in the show.
She portrays a sophisticated woman, who always wears designer clothes, but her Instagram account tells a different story. She does bold photoshoots, and in her photos, she looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
Surbhi Jyoti
Surbhi Jyoti was already a longtime name within the Punjabi film and tv world when she landed her first national television program. Her role as Zoya Farooqui in ‘Qubool Hai’ earned her immense popularity and an enormous fan following.
The audience favourited her chemistry with Karan Singh Grover. Surbhi also starred in the reboot of ‘Qubool Hai.’ She has also hosted three seasons of ‘Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya,’ ‘Desi Explorers Taiwan,’ and ‘Desi Explorers Yas Island.’
Krystle D’Souza
Krystle has been working in the television industry since her college days. Her first notable role was in ‘Kahe Naa Kahe,’ followed by ‘Kya Dill Mein Hai, Kasturi,’ and ‘Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil.’ She also starred in ‘Baat Hamari Pakki Hai,’ ‘Aahat,’ and ‘Yamini.’
Krystle’s breakthrough role as Jeevika Vadhera in ‘Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai’ earned her fame. A number of her recent screen outings include ‘Ekk Nayi Pehchaan,’ ‘Brahmarakshas,’ ‘Belan Wali Bahu,’ etc. Krystle has also starred in popular web series like ‘Fittrat.’
Hina Khan
The television show from Star Plus, called ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai,’ has been on the air for quite a long time. Hina played the lead role of Akshara. She is a well-liked face on Indian television. Hina always appears wearing Indian attire on the show and seems like the accurate sanskaari bahu.
Nonetheless, she is entirely different in the real world. She is bold, thoughtful, and a fitness freak.
Drashti Dhami
Drashti Dhami is one of the tiny screen’s most straightforward and beautiful actresses. She has starred in plenty of shows over the years and is extremely well-known. Her career began with a personality role in ‘Dill Mill Gayye,’ after which she appeared in ‘Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi.’
Shama Sikander
Shama plays Pooja’s role in the television program ‘Yeh Meri Life Hai’ on Sony TV. Shama has also appeared in a few Bollywood films and acted during many Hindi daily soaps. She is extremely popular among the folks. But the real-life avatar of Shama indicates her fashion sense.
Mouni Roy
This Bengali actress is tremendously talented and exceptionally hard-working. She has established herself well since her first role as the sanskaari bahu Krishna Tulsi in ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.’ Then, she appeared in ‘Kasturi,’ ‘Do Saheliyaan,’ ‘Junoon – Aisi Nafrat To Kaisa Ishq,’ ‘Devon Ke Dev Mahadev,’ and ‘Naagin.’
Rubina Dilaik
By playing the role of Radhika in a Zee TV show, Rubina earned tons of fame and love amongst the masses. She has since been cast during a lot of television serials that supported her performance.
In her real world, she isn’t in the least, just like the ‘Choti Bahu’ that she plays on the screen. And once you check out her bold pictures, you’ll know that the so-called sanskaari bahu is completely different in real life.
Dipika Kakar
Another long-running TV queen is Deepika Kakar, mostly referred to as Simar from the Colors TV serial ‘Sasural Simar Ka.’ Deepika started her career with Neer Bhare Tere Naina Devi’s show, after which she appeared in ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’ and ‘Qayamat Ki Raat.’
Ankita Lokhande
From the show ‘Pavitra Rishta’ from Zee TV, Ankita has only climbed the success steps. She is amongst the very best paid actresses on the small screen. In her real world, she is far different from her character Archana that she played on the show. Ankita is undoubtedly a glamorous and powerful woman.
Erica Fernandes
Since a really young age, Erica has been a model and actress when she would participate in beauty pageants. Erica has also worked in quite a few regional movies and also Hindi movies. Her TV debut was with the hit serial ‘Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi,’ where she was paired opposite Shaheer Sheikh. Their chemistry was widely applauded.
Shraddha Arya
Shraddha Arya made her introduction on TV screens in Zee TV’s ‘India’s Best Cinestar Ki Khoj.’ She then starred in numerous Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam movies.
She has also appeared in a few Bollywood films, including Shahid Kapoor starred movie ‘Paathshaala.’ Her fiction-genre debut on television was with the show ‘Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki.’
Sriti Jha
Sriti Jha first appeared as a teenage star on the favourite Disney India show ‘Dhoom Machaao Dhoom.’ She then played Sunaina Kotak in ‘Jiya Jale.’ Her notable works include ‘Shaurya Aur Suhani,’ ‘Jyoti,’ ‘Dil Se Di Dua… Saubhagyavati Bhava?’, ‘Rakht Sambandh’ and ‘Balika Vadhu.’
The role that fetched her the foremost popularity was that of Pragya Sharma in ‘Kumkum Bhagya.’ She won several awards for this outstanding role and also became a household name. Sriti is believed to be a really simple and personal person in the real world.
Helly Shah
This petite actress started her career early on when she was a teenager with the Star Plus show ‘Gulaal.’ She then played the titular role in ‘Alaxmi – Humari Super Bahu.’ Her other shows include ‘Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi’ and ‘Khushiyon Ki Gullak Aashi.’
Helly is known as a talented and beautiful actress who experiments with different types of roles. Her recent shows include ‘Swaragini,’ ‘Devanshi,’ ‘Sufiyana Pyaar Mera,’ ‘Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke,’ and ‘Ishq Mein Marjawan 2.’
She has also participated in ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9.’ Helly has won several awards for the best actress category for her roles. At only 25 years of age, she has accomplished great stardom and fan following.
Tejasswi Prakash
Tejasswi Prakash is a familiar face on Indian television. She began her career in 2012 with the show ‘Sanskaar – Dharohar Apnon Ki.’ However, her first major role was as Ragini Gadodia, a sanskaari bahu in ‘Swaragini,’ along with Helly Shah. After that, she played the central role in the then-controversial show ‘Pehredaar Piya Ki.’
After the show was surrounded by protests, she was re-cast in its spinoff ‘Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya.’ She also featured Uruvi in the show ‘Karn Sangini.’ Tejasswi recently starred as Mishti Khanna in ‘Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka.’ She has also participated inFear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10.’
Surbhi Chandna
Surbhi made her television debut with ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.’ She then went on to play the character of Suzanne in ‘Ek Nanad Ki Khushiyon Ki Chaabi… Meri Bhabhi.’
Chandna gained popularity with her role as a deaf and mute woman in ‘Qubool Hai.’ Her superb acting skills were cherished by the audience. After this, Chandna took the female lead role in ‘Ishqbaaaz,’ opposite Nakuul Mehta. Their chemistry in this show was well-loved.
She then reprised her role in ‘Dil Boley Oberoi.’ Recently, Surbhi was seen as Dr. Ishani Arora in Star Plus’s reboot ‘Sanjivani.’ She has also transcended on the big screen in the movie ‘Bobby Jasoos.’
Niti Taylor
Niti made her television debut at the age of 15 with the show ‘Pyaar Ka Bandhan.’ Her rise to fame was playing Nandini Murthy in MTV India’s serial ‘Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan.’
She then worked in shows like ‘Bade Acche Lagte Hain,’ ‘Savdhaan India,’ ‘Yeh Hai Aashiqui,’ ‘Webbed,’ ‘Halla Bol,’ ‘Ghulaam,’ ‘Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya,’ and ‘Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan 3.’
Taylor then played significant roles in ‘Laal Ishq’ and ‘Ishqbaaaz.’ Apart from TV serials, she has also worked in many Punjabi and Hindi music videos. She has also appeared in three Telugu films.
Shivangi Joshi
Shivangi Joshi played the lead role in Star Plus’s longest-running and most popular show, ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.’ She initially appeared on television screens in the show ‘Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi.’ Then it was followed by ‘Beintehaa,’ ‘Love By Chance,’ ‘Begusarai,’ ‘Yeh Hai Aashiqui,’ and ‘Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya.’
However, her best performance was as Naira Goenka, Akshara’s daughter, in ‘Yeh Rishta.’ She took over the show after Hina Khan left to trail her career elsewhere.
Shivangi has taken the show to newer heights of popularity and co-actor Mohsin Khan, who plays Kartik Goenka. They are lovingly called Kaira by fans.
Ridhi Dogra
Another famous TV actress is Ridhi Dogra, who has shown her mettle through many different shows and genres. She started with ‘Jhoome Jiiya Re,’ then ‘Hindi Hai Hum’ and ‘Horror Nights.’ After that, she starred on ‘Rishta.com,’ ‘Seven,’ ‘Maat Pitaah Ke Charnon Mein Swarg,’ ‘Kaagi Tujhse Lagan,’ etc.
Her notable roles as sanskaari bahu were in ‘Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak’ and ‘Savitri.’ Ridhi appeared in popular shows like ‘Yeh Hai Aashiqui,’ ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum,’ ‘I Don’t Watch TV,’ ‘Darr Sabko Lagta Hai,’ ‘Woh Apna Sa,’ and ‘Qayamat Ki Raat,’ among many others.
Her non-fiction shows include ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and ‘Nach Baliye 6.’ Lately, her character as Dr. Nusrat in the web series ‘Asur’ earned her a lot of appreciation.
Sanaya Irani
Sanaya Irani debuted with ‘Left Right Left’ on SAB TV. Then played minor roles in ‘Kasamh Se’ and ‘Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi.’ Her prominent lead role was as Gunjan in ‘Miley Jab Hum Tum.’
This TV show gained huge popularity among youngsters and cemented her career. She then participated in ‘Zara Nachke Dikha’ and ‘Meethi Chorii No. 1.’ Her most liked role was as Khushi Kumari Gupta in ‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon.’ Her on-screen chemistry with Barun Sobti was a fan favourite.
She then appeared in ‘Ishq Wala Love,’ ‘Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawaazi Ki,’ ‘Chhanchhan,’ and ‘Rangrasiya.’ She was also a contestant on ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8.’
Madhurima Tuli
Madhurima Tuli is one of the most talked-about actresses on the small screen nowadays. She debuted with the serial ‘Shree’ and followed up with ‘Parichay,’ ‘Rang Badalti Odhani,’ ‘Kumkum Bhagya,’ ‘Dafa 420,’ etc.
She appeared in the titular role in ‘Chandrakanta _ Ek Mayavi Prem Gaatha.’ She remains on the tabloids for her hullabaloos with former lover Vishal Aditya Singh. The duo appeared in two reality shows: ‘ Nach Baliye 9’ and ‘Bigg Boss 13.’ Their fights and tumultuous exchanges have kept the audience on the hook.
Shrenu Parikh
Shrenu Parikh is a beautiful and brilliant actress who has starred in many successful shows. She started her career with ‘Gulaal’ and then appeared in Colors TV’s ‘Havan.’ She then played the protagonist in ‘Byaah Hamari Bahoo Ka’ and ‘Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? … Ek Baar Phir.’ Each of her shows led to more fame and fandom.
More recently, Shrenu worked in shows like ‘Ishqbaaaz’ and its spinoff series ‘Dil Boley Oberoi,’ followed by ‘Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna.’ She has also starred in movies like ‘Lamboo Rastoo’ and ‘Thodi Thodi Si Manmaaniyan.’
Shweta Tiwari
She has maintained her fame for decades, even as new actors come and go. Her first show was ‘Kaahin Kissii Roz,’ but she garnered popularity as the original Prerna in ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay.’ Shweta Tiwari is the ultimate sanskaari bahu of Indian television.
She has also appeared in numerous shows like ‘Naaginn,’ ‘Jaane Kya Baat Hui,’ ‘Adaalat,’ ‘Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo,’ ‘Baal Veer,’ ‘Begusarai Parvarissh,’ and ‘Mere Dad Ki Dulhan.’
Shweta has also remained in the limelight for controversies in her personal life and relationships. She has appeared in reality shows like ‘Comedy Circus Ka Naya Daur,’ ‘Nach Baliye 2,’ ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6,’ ‘Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao,’ ‘Bigg Boss 4,’ etc.There is no shortage of beauty and talent in the Indian television industry. Tell us which actress is your favourite!
