Menu
Zee TV, together with Cockrow & Shaika Entertainment, has recently rolled out its latest offering titled Dilo Ki Ram Leela. The show features Mishkat Varma, Aastha Sharma, Manasi Salvi and Eijaz Khan headlining the cast.
The show is set across two parts of Delhi. In New Delhi, we meet the Sehgal family, headed by the country’s Education Minister, Veerendra Sehgal (Eijaz Khan). He worships his sister Vijaya (Manasi Salvi), who lives with him, unaware of the hatred she harbours for him. Vijaya has ruined his marriage and his relationship with his daughter, Leela (Aastha Sharma). The details surrounding his wife and what Vijaya did are yet to be revealed.
As for Leela, she is a carefree and fun-loving girl, but her poor performance in her studies often becomes a source of embarrassment for her father. Not to forget, Vijaya is ever-ready to instigate Veerendra against her. Virendra also gets angry whenever he sees the mole on Leela’s face. This could possibly be linked to her mother, but only time will tell.
In Old Delhi, we meet Ram’s family. Ram (Mishkat Varma) is Veerendra’s trusted personal assistant, who works hard to support his family. His father chooses not to work, living solely on the belief that Ram’s promising horoscope holds great things for his future. Ram has two sisters: Tejashree, who studies with Leela, and Bhagyashree, who is married and has a daughter. Bhagyashree believes she will only be able to go to her in-laws’ home once her family pays the dowry in full. Ram’s landlord also has a daughter, Naina, who is deeply in love with Ram and wants to marry him.
Without going any further into the story, it seems the narrative will be about how Ram and Leela’s worlds come together and how they face the threat of Vijaya while saving their families.
Let’s dive into what works. Seeing two families from different lifestyles and income levels being presented, and exploring how their worlds could possibly merge, is always a winning idea. There’s something uplifting about knowing we’re all more similar than we think. The backdrop of the Education Ministry is also something new, and you can’t help but wonder whether the story could take on any challenges in this regard.
The bond between Veerendra and Ram is heartwarming, while the villain, Vijaya, is an interesting and layered character. She believes her brother received his position and power simply because he is a man, but her own actions make the viewer believe there must be more to it. In a flashback, she took responsibility for a child named Maddy, trusting that he would always do as she says, and years later, he does. It’s almost unbelievable how forward-thinking she is, making you both excited and anxious about the surprises she has coming our way.
Ram and Leela’s bond is special too. Ram supports and empathises with Leela, who often finds herself alone. This love story, beginning with friendship and respect, is a refreshing flip on the hate-to-love idea. This leads us, however, to the only concern so far: the element of Naina. In recent years, we’ve seen the love triangle trope on television in excess, and the audience is, to an extent, exhausted by it. We really hope Naina’s character and inclusion in the story are executed differently.
The performances are power-packed. Mishkat Varma pours his heart into Ram. He seems like a perfect fit for this path-breaking male protagonist, with his careful and apt portrayal of a dutiful PA and a son who carries the weight of his family’s needs. Aastha Sharma gives a sweet and natural performance as Leela, and the two share promising chemistry.
Eijaz Khan makes a triumphant return to television as Veerendra, and it is so good to have the seasoned actor back on our screens daily. Khan balances the power and pain within his character beautifully. Manasi Salvi brings a commanding presence to the screen as Vijaya. One of the best things about Salvi is that she doesn’t resort to theatrics, instead bringing a controlled intensity to her negative roles. Vijaya is clearly going to be a role where she makes antagonism look effortlessly elegant.
Madhvendra Jha and Charul Bhavsar also deliver praiseworthy performances as Ram’s parents, while Ankita Khare and Oshi Saahu shine as his sisters. Nishani Borule makes Naina lovable and handles the character’s comedic bits well too. Isha Pandhe shines as Vijaya’s entitled and snooty daughter, while Bharat Narang pulls off the suave yet sneaky role of Maddy equally well. The rest of the cast are also commendable.
Dilo Ki Ram Leela successfully brings together the contrasting worlds of New and Old Delhi while weaving a heartfelt, blossoming love story between Ram and Leela. Beyond the romance, the show explores family politics, power struggles and challenges that mirror realities faced by families everywhere. Backed by a compelling narrative and a stellar cast of performers, the show makes for an engaging watch with plenty of potential to unfold further.
Based on this, Dilo Ki Ram Leela earns a rating of 8/10!
Dilo Ki Ram Leela airs daily on Zee TV worldwide and streams on ZEE5 Global too.
Follow the writer and TV editor on social media for more:
Instagram: iamneolin1
X: @iamneolin01
