Essential Characters In Every Saas-Bahu Saga...

For those who watch Saas-Bahu sagas, you can't help but notice that each show has the same set of main characters. The setting for the show may be different and in some cases the gender of the main characters may be different but they are still essentially the same. Most of the time the stories intersect as well. We'll leave that for another post. Let's focus on the main characters first. Think of any Saas-Bahu that you've watched while you're reading this list and I bet you will think of a character that matches the list I have come up with. 

So without further adieu here they are:

Elderly Person: This person can be male or female. They are essentially the voice of reason in the show. They typically sit back and watch as mayhem takes over their household. All they have to offer the main character is courage and blessings. Just in case you forget, they are very 'elderly' and hence very fragile. They can't do much but they are always the sharpest tool in the entire household. An example of this type of character would be Baa from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi.

Dutiful Bahu/Beta: This person is typically the heart of the show. Most of the time it is the Bahu but sometimes it can be a combination of Beta and Bahu. They are the ones who make the world go round, literally. They are the center of the show's universe. They are smart and dutiful as their name suggests. They work hard so that their family has whatever they want no matter how irrational. They are also the ones who end up fighting the negative characters singlehandedly. In the beginning of the fight, they lose badly but then the Gods are with them and they prevail in the end.  An example would be Om and Parvati from Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii.

The Vamp aka Femme Fatale aka female villain: She is sly, conniving, beautiful and extremely over the top. She is always after the family money and will do anything to get her dirty hands on it. She also hates getting her hands dirty so she undoubtedly creates a plan that makes the family believe that the Dutiful Bahu/Beta are behind all the destruction. Another important characteristic to point out would be the fashion. Her clothes are over the top and often revealing. Her makeup is crazy to the point of being frightening. She also commands her own background music. And most of the time she has a distinctive mannerism or saying that she has to perform in every episode. An example would be Komolika Basu from Kasautii Zindagi Kay.

Check out my full post on The Vamp - Komolika Base here...

Maa or Saas: Depending of whether the show has a Dutiful Beta or Bahu, there is a Maa or a Saas. If the show has a Beta and a Bahu, then there will be both a Maa and a Saas, most of the time. This character has the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is responsible for the happiness of the household. She is a big proponent of customs and rites and makes sure that every occasion celebrated in the household is done as per the approval of her husband. She is a dutiful wife to the point of becoming a doormat in the face of her husband's desires. She never questions authority until the Dutiful Bahu or Beta give her courage to hold her head up high. An example would be Devyani Bhramanand Jhakkar from Maryada.

The Snake aka male villain: This character is capable of anything. He is will go against his own mother to get what he wants. He will cheat, fight, insult, steal and most importantly rape or torture to get his way. He first gains the trust of the household, then he begins to strike. At first no one knows that he is responsible, but then the Dutiful Beta or Bahu finds outs about his intentions and confronts him. Now this confrontation can end two ways: a challenge if it is the Dutiful Beta or a rape/molestation type thing if it is the Dutiful Bahu. As I said earlier, he would kill his own mother if she was in his way. An example would be Shyam Manohar Jha from Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?  

Almost every successful Saas-Bahu saga has these characters present at one time or another. With the help of certain plot devices they can mix and match characters and create a crazy mix of Vamps and Snakes, Bahus and Betas and Maas and Saases. Everything is possible in the world of Saas-Bahu sagas. All you have to do is sit back and keep watching...