30 years of Ekta Kapoor: From Tulsi to Komolika, meet the women who made Indian television unforgettable
For 30 years, Ekta Kapoor has ruled Indian television with powerful female characters. From Tulsi¡¯s fierce justice to Komolika¡¯s scheming ways, these women weren¡¯t just fictional, they were part of every household, shaping Indian TV¡¯s golden era.
There was a time when television wasn¡¯t sleek, wall-mounted, and HD. It was a bulky box sitting in the middle of the living room, and Ekta Kapoor ruled it. For 30 years, her serials, mostly starting with ¡®K,¡¯ dominated TRP charts, making her the queen of Indian TV. Whether you were in an office canteen, a college hostel, or a neighborhood adda, her shows sparked debates, tears, and endless theories.
Tulsi¡¯s battles, Parvati¡¯s strength, Komolika¡¯s evil schemes¡ªthese weren¡¯t just fictional stories; they were national conversations. And even today, if you hear the name Shweta Tiwari, you can¡¯t help but think of Prerna¡ªbecause some roles just never fade.
In Ekta¡¯s world, drama had no limits. If a character died, they could return with plastic surgery, memory loss, or an entirely new identity, and the audience still enjoyed every bit of it.
Here¡¯s a look at the women who made her reign possible.
Tulsi Virani: The daughter-in-law who fought back
Tulsi Virani from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi wasn¡¯t just another daughter-in-law, she was the heartbeat of the Virani family. Draped in heavy sarees with a big red bindi and neatly tied bun hair, she looked like the perfect ¡®bahu¡¯ from a traditional Indian home. But Tulsi was different. She wasn¡¯t afraid to stand up for what was right, even when it meant going against her own family.
One of the most unforgettable moments was when she picked up a gun and shot her own son, Ansh, to protect her daughter-in-law. It was a moment that shook Indian television. Could a mother do that? But that was Tulsi for her justice came before personal ties.
Parvati Agarwal: The silent strength of the family
Credit: Instagram
If Tulsi was fire, Parvati Agarwal from Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii was water, calm, patient, but powerful. Played by Sakshi Tanwar, Parvati was the ideal daughter-in-law, the one who kept the family together. Always dressed in soft pastel sarees with subtle jewelry, she carried herself with dignity.
Her most iconic moment on screen came when she was falsely accused and had to leave her own home. She didn¡¯t scream, she didn¡¯t fight, she simply walked out, her silence speaking louder than words. Showing that while Tulsi fought with action, Parvati won with patience and perseverance.
Prerna Bajaj: The woman who loved, lost, and fought again
Prerna from Kasautii Zindagii Kay was the woman who saw it all: love, betrayal, heartbreak, and victory. Played by Shweta Tiwari, she started as a simple girl in salwar suits but as episodes passed grew into a powerful woman in elegant sarees.
Her most defining moment in the serial? The day she slapped Anurag at their wedding when she found out he had betrayed her. It was more than just a slap: it was a statement. She loved deeply, but she wouldn¡¯t be fooled. Unlike Tulsi and Parvati, whose battles were within their families, Prerna¡¯s fight was with her destiny itself.
Komolika Basu: The villain who stole the show
If there was one character who made being bad look good, it was Komolika from Kasautii Zindagii Kay. With her backless blouses, bold lipstick, and slow-motion hair flips, Urvashi Dholakia made sure Komolika was unforgettable.
Her signature ¡®Likaa¡¡¯ before every plan sent chills down the audience¡¯s spine. One of her most iconic moments on screen was when she manipulated her way into the Basu family, making Prerna¡¯s life a nightmare. While Tulsi and Parvati represented strength and sacrifice, Komolika represented ambition and power. She wasn¡¯t just a villain: she was a legend.
Madhubala: The girl who became a star
Madhubala from Madhubala: Ek Ishq Ek Junoon was different from the other women in Ekta Kapoor¡¯s world. She wasn¡¯t a ¡®bahu¡¯ fighting family drama, she was a small-town girl who stepped into the world of Bollywood. Played by Drashti Dhami, Madhubala had the charm of old-school movie heroines, flowing hair, expressive eyes, and a dream too big for the world to crush.
Walking away from RK, the superstar who loved her but couldn¡¯t respect her was one of the most defining for her on screen. A moment where she chose herself over love, proving that sometimes, self-respect is the real hero.
Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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