Pavitra Rishta, the show that has consistently topped the TRP game on Indian television, will complete a glorious run of 500 episodes on Zee TV on Tuesday, 19 April 2011. The show which tells the heartwarming story of a lower middle-class Maharashtrian family staying in a suburban chawl of Mumbai has laid claim to hearts of viewers and critics alike. In times when shows swing up and down on popularity charts on a weekly basis and fade into oblivion without as much as making a mark, Pavitra Rishta has ruled the roost at 9 PM across all GEC’s, making actors Sushant Rajput and Ankita Lokhande who essay the roles of lead protagonists Manav and Archana the most sought-after dinner table companions on the tube!
So, what is it that sets Pavitra Rishta apart from the clutter of mediocrity on Indian television? “Its beauty lies in its simplicity,” says Mr. Sukesh Motwani, Fiction Programming- Head, Zee TV. “There is no melodrama, no excess negativity, just a simple yet inspiring story of struggle and love. If the characters are relatable, the casting is impeccable. Apart from Manav-Archana, Usha Nadkarni and Savita Prabhune as their mothers add an extremely realistic touch.”
Apart from all the love and appreciation from ardent TV viewers, the show has also received many accolades over the last 2 years that include the much coveted Jury’s Special Prize and Best Foreign Drama award at the Seoul Drama Awards and The International Drama Awards respectively. The most recent feathers been added to the show’s cap are the awards for Best Actor and Best Show at FICCI Frames 2011.
So, how long can we expect to have the soap on air? “There’s no time limit we ve set to Pavitra Rishta,” says Producer Ekta Kapoor. “There is a lot more to tell. We are following the natural course of events in the couple’s lives. Each time we go through an issue, it throws us to the next turn of events.” God bless Manav and Archana and keep their Pavitra Rishta alive!