MUMBAI: If there’s one actor who has touched the nation recently it is the late Sushant Singh Rajput. The longing, the ache for the good-looking talented young man continues in many an Indian TV fan ‘s heart even today. 

His fanscan now tune into the iconic television show Pavitra Rishta on ZEE5 which brought Sushant to the world’s attention and watch it for free. The series came as a breath of fresh air and went on to become a life-changing experience for many of its viewers. The series was telecast on ZEE TV from 2009 to 2014 and revolved around the hard life of Mumbai’s middle class. It introduced us to a family that has simple ambitions and strong emotions.

Moreover, the story was relatable and soon managed to make its way into the common man’s hearts. The show narrated the tale of the unconditional love between a relatively less educated young woman Archana Karanjkar’s and a car mechanic Manav Deshmukh. 

Sushant Singh Rajput essayed the role of Manav, while Ankita Lokhande was Archana. Sushant, who studied mechanical engineering and was a National Olympiad Winner in physics, found that communicating with the audience through his acting was a liberating experience and gave him the opportunity to become all that he ever wanted to be, albeit in reel life. Ankita, who was a state-level badminton player, was passionate about showcasing her talent on screen. 

Both were fresh faces on television back then but boy did their chemistry sizzle on screen. So much so that viewers could not couldn't imagine them as separate entities. 

Pavitra Rishta’s story begins with Archana's mother, Sulochana, dreaming of getting her married to an educated and financially stable man. She finds Satish to be suitable for her daughter. However, situations lead to the wedding being called off, and Archana ends up marrying Manav after her mother is falsely told that he is a garage owner. How Archana deals with her mother-in-law, Savita, manages the household chores, and balances her finances form the crux of the series. Almost every young Indian bride can relate to this; it is the tale of their lives. 

So much did Indian families appreciate the Manav-Archana romance that they helped it become among the top rated shows on television shows for around five years. 

There is no doubt that Sushant's energy and vibe brought a smile to everyone's faces. Ankita also did complete justice to her role. The cast also included Asha Negi, Rithvik Dhanjani, Shruti Kanwar, Mrinalini Tyagi, Ankit Narang, Mahesh Shetty, Usha Nadkarni, and Savita Prabhune, among many others. Sushant and Ankita grew close to each other while playing the lead roles and soon started dating. Their off screen relationship added to the magic on-screen. 

It looks like the show brought good luck to the actors, as not only Sushant and Ankita but even on-screen co-stars Rithvik and Asha fell head over heels in love. Sushant become friends with most of his co-stars, and Mahesh Shetty went on to become his closest friend. 

Well, the casting of Pavitra Rishta was nothing short of perfect, and the characterization and striking chemistry against the interesting storyline worked in favour of everyone associated with the show. Sushant’s dimpled smile, crinkly eyes, raw innocence, and Ankita’s earthy beauty and vivaciousness made them a perfect pair who kept viewers wanting more and more of the two. 
The characters are missed even today for their relatability quotient and naiveté!

It came as no surprise that Pavitra Rishta achieved many milestones in its time and is still considered to be an iconic show because it brings forward the stark reality of Mumbai's middle-class family and the problems they deal with. It also shows how people with different opinions can co-exist under one roof and have each other's backs despite their disagreements. The show was brought back in 2018 by popular demand not only in India but also in many other countries!

And we are sure that the audience would love to watch it again. All that they have to do is download the ZEE5 app, sign up and get immersed in a tale of everlasting love.

Here's a fun trivia quiz to help you know how well you know Pavitra Rishta: 

What is Manav Deshmukh's age?

Which company does Archana join?

How many episodes did Pavitra Rishta have?

How does Manav first meet Archana?

Which character does not wish well for Manav and Archana?

Let us know your answers in the comments below!