You know that feeling you get when you want to just punch a fictional character in the face for acting like a douchebag? I think everybody who has watched an Indian daily soap has experienced it. Telly town tends to glorify toxic traits like stalking, being over-possessive, claiming ownership over your partner, and labelling it as ‘romantic’. I mean how else do you explain these toxic characters that we could all do without? Have a look.
Vanraj Shah From Anupama
Anupama is one of the best TV soaps but TBH, I don’t understand this character most of the time. Vanraj has a loving wife and yet he chooses to have an extramarital affair as he feels his wife isn’t modern enough for him. What follows next is a confused Vanraj going back and forth between his wife and his girlfriend just cause he can’t make up his mind. He’s toxic, borderline obsessive, and keeps harassing everyone around him. Frankly, he really needs to see a therapist.
Abhishek Prem Mehra From Kumkum Bhagya
Arghh!! Where do we even begin with this character? Should it be Abhi’s unhealthy obsession with kicking his wife out of his life at every small misunderstanding, his dictatorial ways, or his aggression? I mean, the man keeps breaking it off with his wife and coming back to her every now and then. We can’t understand why he cannot make up his mind about whether he wants his wife in his life or not. If the makers want us to understand his tantrums simply cause he is a famous rockstar, then sorry, we cannot forgive his anti-feminist and sexist ways.
Simar From Sasural Simar Ka
We honestly don’t even know where to start with this problematic character. The makers perceived Simar to be a woman with superhuman qualities who can do anything to protect her family. BTW, nothing is impossible for her. Forget humans, she fights with devils to save her fam. And remember the time she became a wall-fly? That was just too much to take. Seriously, her unhealthy obsession with wanting to protect everybody just so she could win the bahu of the year award is quite toxic TBH.
Ahem Modi From Saath Nibhaana Saathiya
It’s been years since the show went off the air, but the show’s reruns are still going strong. This is why we can’t help but call out this character for his selfish ways. Ahem loves someone else but marries Gopi because of his mother’s wish. He keeps calling his wife a gold-digger because she’s not as rich as he is. He never respects Gopi and keeps yelling at her throughout the show. Seriously, be it his primitive mindset or his egoistic approach, this is one character that we hope we never have to lay eyes on again.
Ishita From Yeh Hai Mohabbatein
When we say toxic characters, we also mean these goody-two-shoes characters who are projected to be the good ones but happen to be way more problematic than the antagonists themselves. Take Ishita for instance, she marries a man who couldn’t tolerate her just so his little daughter could have a mother? Her husband keeps fighting with her, calls her names, and continues to misunderstand her but she never once loses her cool. Really? She’s portrayed as the calm, sanskari, and sacrificing bahu that is quite unbearable TBH. This internalised misogyny is quite toxic and doesn’t help anybody.
Arnav Singh Raizada From Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Another instance where Telly town overlooked every toxic trait of the hero just cause he was rich and labelled it romantic. We hate Arnav for hating a woman he was attracted to just cause she was from a small town. The man misbehaves and hurts Khushi every time and doesn’t even apologize. Oh, and let’s not forget how he blackmails her into marrying him. And then makes her life hell. Chauvinistic, sexist, and classist pretty much sums up this character.
Jethalal Gada From Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Don’t act so surprised to see this name on the list. It’s high time Jethalal gets called out for his toxic ways. His not-so-innocent advances on Babitaji need to stop right now! And let’s not forget the way he treats his wife. He constantly keeps shutting her up and bossing her around. Is that how women are supposed to be treated? This is a family show and the makers need to stop advocating such behaviour.
So fam, which of these toxic characters you wish you never had to lay eyes on again?
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