Telly bahus turn glam to seek revenge

Television bahus for years have been setting unrealistic standards for daughters-in-law across with their sati-savitri look complete with heavy saris, heavier jewellery and not a hair out of place. It is therefore a big thing when the docile bahu drops her desi girl look and pallu from her head and adopts an uber cool modern style. This change of look is often driven by an agenda to set things right or to emerge with a powerful identity of her own or to finally put on display those grey shades. Pune Times finds out more about the television bahus who have walked down this path in recent times.

Shiny Doshi - 'Sarojini'

The current track of Sarojini has Shiny Doshi in an ultra-modern look, complete with western attire and a blonde wig. Posing as Susie, the show has Shiny returning to her house post her character (Sarojini) gets divorced from Somendra (Mohit Sehgal).

Surbhi Jyoti - Mahira:

'Qubool Hai' has seen multiple changes in track and the entry and exit of numerous actors. One of the constant ones, Surbhi Jyoti has adapted to all these changes and has undergone several image makeovers too. In the latest stint, Surbhi who plays Mahira, is seen romancing Armaan (Avinash) after the death of her husband Azaad (Rajbeer Singh). Initially, Mahira was shown as a pony-tailed bespectacled girl who would have the fashion police sirens blaring loud owing to her shoddy dressing. But that’s a thing of the past. Love happened and Mahira has been shown emerging as a confident girl, who takes it upon herself to find her husband’s killers in a new glam avatar.

Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar - Raagini:

Swaragini’s Ragini, Tejaswi, who is reigning supreme over the Maheshwari khaandaan is seen in designer chiffon with low cut blouses in tow, a far cry from her pallu on the head docile bahu days. In this avatar, she is seen roughing up all and sundry and giving everyone in the family a dose of her power and viciousness.

"Makeovers are more audience oriented than actor oriented, as actors continue performing the way they were. It is to tell the audience clearly that there’s been a change. For example, the pallu on the head carries a goodie goodie connotation as compared to the modern look. Not just the dresses, even the colour palettes given pre or post a makeover are to emphasize that. While earlier my character was made to wear a lot of greens, pinks and oranges, post the makeover, I am sporting darker shades. It goes well with the current mind-set that too western is too modern and Indian is subtle and subdued." — Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar

Devoleena Bhattacharjee - Gopi

One of television’s longest running shows, Saath Nibhana Saathiya’s USP initially was Gopi bahu’s (Devoleena Bhattacharjee) innocence and docile nature and her equation with her husband Aham Modi (Mohammed Nazim) and mother-in-law Kokila Modi (Rupal Patel). Post the leap, the show saw Gopi’s character going for a makeover, absolutely detached from her under the pallu, low cast eyes look. Back from prison and with an agenda to get back her husband from the other woman, Devoleena was seen dressed in smart sarees and jewellery, out to get her man at any cost and set things right for her family.

A makeover is all about realisation of the strength that lies within. While it depends entirely upon a show and the character concerned, at the end of the day it's all about changes the character undergoes. Just like in day to day life, a person's growth is reflected in their change in lifestyle, dressing sense, mannerisms and knowledge -a makeover. Similarly, for the subdued Gopi who finds the strength to kill her sister, the makeover is about personal growth and inner strength that she realises which makes her a confident person. And this reflects in her clothes, jewellery, hairstyles etc.

Sriti Jha - Pragya:

Right from the beginning of 'Kumkum Bhagya', lead actor Sriti sported a gawky look that remained intact even post marriage with her specs and regular girl-next-door suits and sarees intact. Then came the change in scene when Pragya took it upon herself to save her husband Abhi (Shabbir Ahluwalia) and family from the scheming duo, Aaliya (Shikha Singh) and Tanu (Leena Jumani). In her new glam avatar, Pragya is seen in designer sarees, smart blouses and sans her bespectacled look. Loaded with attitude, confidence and authority, Pragya, initially a timid girl, is now someone who does not mind taking just about anybody by the horns and to task.