Sasural Simar Ka

Overview

Sasural Simar Ka is an Indian Hindi-language television drama series that was broadcast on Colors TV. Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, the show premiered on 25 April 2011 and concluded its original run on 2 March 2018, completing nearly seven years on air. It was one of the long-running daily soap operas on Indian television during the 2010s, and revolved around the lives of two sisters who marry into the Bhardwaj family of Mumbai.

Key facts

Premise

The series follows Simar and her elder sister Roli, two sisters from a middle-class background who are married into the wealthy and traditional Bhardwaj household. The early seasons emphasise family relationships, the dynamics between daughters-in-law, and the matriarchal control of the household. Over the years, the storyline shifted from domestic drama to supernatural and fantasy themes, including reincarnation arcs and witchcraft tracks, which became a notable feature of its later seasons.

Cast

The principal cast across the run of the show included:

• Deepika Samson as Simar Bhardwaj
• Avika Gor as Roli Bhardwaj (later replaced)
• Dipika Kakar as Simar Bhardwaj (subsequent lead)
• Shoaib Ibrahim as Prem Bhardwaj
• Manish Raisinghan as Siddhant Bhardwaj
• Jayati Bhatia as Mataji (Lakshmi Devi Bhardwaj)
• Vaishali Takkar, Kunwar Amar, and others in supporting and recurring roles

Production

The show was produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, the production banner also associated with serials such as Shubh Vivah and Swaragini. It was shot largely in Mumbai. The series underwent multiple cast changes during its run, with lead actor Avika Gor exiting the show, after which Dipika Kakar's role as Simar became the central focus.

Reception and significance

Sasural Simar Ka was a consistent performer in the Hindi general entertainment ratings during the early and middle period of its broadcast. It contributed to the popularity of Colors TV's prime-time line-up alongside other long-running shows. The serial drew commentary in popular media for its later supernatural plotlines, including a track in which a character was depicted as transforming into a fly, which became a subject of widespread internet discussion and memes.

Despite mixed critical response, the show ran for over 1,800 episodes, making it one of the longer-running Indian television dramas of its era. It also helped establish the on-screen and off-screen pairing of Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim, who later married in real life.

Sequel

Sasural Simar Ka 2, a follow-up series produced by the same banner, premiered on Colors TV on 26 April 2021. While it carried forward the title and brand of the original, it featured a new storyline and largely a new cast, with Dipika Kakar returning briefly to reprise her role as Simar.

Awards

The show and its cast received nominations and wins at Indian television award ceremonies including the Indian Telly Awards and the Colors Golden Petal Awards across categories such as Best Actress, Best Negative Role, and Best Drama Series during its years on air.

Related topics

• Colors TV
• Rashmi Sharma Telefilms
• Dipika Kakar
• Shoaib Ibrahim
• Avika Gor
• Indian television soap opera
• Sasural Simar Ka 2

References

• Colors TV official programme listings
• Indian Telly Awards records
• Reportage in Indian entertainment publications including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and The Indian Express