Lead actresses on television are now arguably more prominent in the industry than they were earlier. Be it their acting or their evolving fashion sense, they are not far behind their Bollywood counterparts! Add to this some breakthrough performances, they are DEFINITELY calling for more recognition, while earlier they were only limited to ‘saas-bahu’ dramas!
As 2018 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on television’s best that captured the hearts and minds of the small screen audience.
Nia Sharma
This stunning actress started her career with Kaali – Ek Agnipariksha but it was her role of Maavi in Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai that cemented her position on television. Nia later moved to Jamai Raja opposite Ravi Dubey and is currently seen in revenge drama Ishq Mein Marjawan as Aarohi Kashyap, She delivers knockout performances combined with drool-worthy looks that set temperatures soaring. Let’s not forget, she also ranked second in the Top 50 Sexiest Asian Women 2017. Known to experiment with her fashion picks, Nia is perhaps the most ‘bindaas’ actress we have in the current lot of television’s leading ladies. What’s more? She even won millions of hearts with her bold avatar in Vikram Bhatt’s original web-series Twisted and Twisted 2.
Surbhi Jyoti
A renowned name in the Punjabi film and television world, Surbhi forayed into the Indian telly arena with Qubool Hai, where she portrayed the role of Zoya Farooqui opposite Karan Singh Grover. She delivered a rock-solid performance and aced the emotionally charged scenes, making the audience and critics alike, LOVE her in this Zee TV show. Post that, she did cameo appearances in several shows, finally bagging the breakthrough role of Bela in Ekta Kapoor’s Naagin 3. Well, you can always count on Surbhi… She is adamant on making us sit up and take notice not only on screen but off it as well!
Erica Fernandes
This actress is currently winning hearts as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2 and has the social media buzzing with her combination of good looks and acting chops. In fact, her name was on everyone's lips when Ekta Kapoor announced the reboot of her popular show. But for those of you who aren’t aware, Erica started off as a model and did many regional films too. She got her BIG telly break with Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi opposite Shaheer Sheikh and proved to everyone that she was here to stay!
Shivangi Joshi
Shivangi aka Naira of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is known to play her role with great finesse and impeccable acting skills. She has earlier worked in shows like Begusarai and Beintehaa. All of 20 years, she appears with gritty brilliance in front of the camera in Yeh Rishta… and her onscreen camaraderie and chemistry with Mohsin Khan is worth a watch. People are still guessing about their off screen link-up!
Surbhi Chandna
After several small roles on television, Surbhi got her path-breaker role in Zee TV's daily soap Qubool Hai, in which she portrayed Haya, a deaf-mute. Her undeniable talent and amazing spontaneity while playing this difficult character made people realise that her scenes are worth watching as she never disappoints. Later starring as Anika in Ishqbaaz, her chemistry with heartthrob Nakuul Mehta set the small screen ablaze and sent the TRPs soaring. However, she chose to make an exit from the Star Plus daily since the makers decided to take a generation leap, which required her to play the role of a mother.
Jennifer Winget
You must be living under a rock if you aren’t aware that Jennifer is by far one of the most renowned Indian television actresses. Known for her work in shows like Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Dill Mill Gayye, Saraswatichandra among others, she still maintains a popularity that is at par with Bollywood actresses. She has always been choosy with her shows and makes sure that the characters she picks are never been run-of-the-mill kind. She took up the most challenging role of her career as the obsessive Maya in Beyhadh and even played her complete opposite in Bepanaah! Not to forget, her on-screen chemistry with Harshad Chopra made the show even more interesting. However, the show recently went off-air, much to fans dismay.
Sriti Jha
Sriti rose to prominence with her role of a victim of domestic violence in Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava and she did this again with her act of a blind girl in Rakt Sambandh. The variation in her choice of characters and the finesse with which she portrays them is commendable.Currently seen in Ekta Kapoor's Kumkum Bhagya opposite Shabbir Ahluwalia, she leaves the audience impressed with her acting prowess.
Divyanka Tripathi
Perhaps television’s foremost actress, Divyanka has enjoyed immense popularity ever since she ventured onto the Indian television scene with Banoo Main Teri Dulhann. She is currently engaged in Ekta Kapoor’s popular soap Yeh Hai Mohabbatein and her emotionally charged portrayal of Dr. Ishita Bhalla has won her many awards and nominations. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that she is the darling of the audience be it via her acting or her personal life. Meanwhile, after playing the susheel-sanskaari bahu, Divyanka is all set to embark on a new journey with Ekta Kapoor's next web series, Cold Lassi Aur Chicken Masala, opposite Rajeev Khandelwal.
Anita Hassanandani
Shagun of Yeh Hai Mohabbatein aka Anita Hassanandani has always impressed audiences with her talent and surreal beauty. An Ekta Kapoor favourite, it would be safe to say that she gets her best roles in Kapoor’s soaps. She is currently grabbing the limelight for her role in Naagin 3. Anita has worked in Hindi and a lot of regional cinema too; again on Ekta’s list with Kuch to Hai, Krishna Cottage, Yeh Dil (with Tusshar Kapoor)! Her poise and fashion sense is what makes you want to see more of her! Not to forget, she adds her personal touch to the characters she portrays on screen.
Drashti Dhami
Known for her roles in shows like Dill Mill Gayye, Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi and Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil, Drashti soared to the top of the list with her character in Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. Over the years, she has consolidated her position as one of the top actresses and there has been no looking back. She was last seen in Colors TV's Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka but quit the show almost overnight. Buzz is that she didn’t like her character steeped in so much negativity!
Rubina Dilaik
Ten years ago, Rubina started her acting career with Choti Bahu – Sindoor Bin Suhagan and has remained popular in the industry ever since. She is a director’s delight for pulling off both emotional and light-hearted scenes with finesse and ease. Not to forget, she has been receiving constant appreciation for her unconventional and bold choice of role as Saumya (a eunuch) in Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and we must say, it needs a lot of guts and belief to play the part. The actress also made headlines this year for tying the knot with her longtime beau, Abhinav Shukla.
Special mention - Hina Khan
Hina started her acting career as Akshara — the dutiful daughter, wife, daughter-in-law and mother — with Star Plus’ Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. After quitting the show, she dabbled in reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi 9 and Bigg Boss 11. Both revealed the real life Hina rather than the reel one! Her acting prowess paved the way to her being one of the highest paid actresses of the TV industry! What’s more, Hina made an unexpected turnaround by shunning her good girl image to portray the popular vamp Komolika in Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2. She also made headlines for relationship with long-time boyfriend Rocky and her sizzling pictures on Instagram are a proof that she’s definitely deserves every ounce of TV’s fashion icon status.
Well, did your favourite make the cut?
