Disha Vakani - Daya (Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah)
Disha Vakani's role of 'Daya Tapu ke papa Gada', has become a household name. The actress, with her unique style and humorous way of supporting her son Tapu, often leaves the audience giggling. Daya, with her signature bubbly nature, became one of Indian TV’s most beloved comic moms
Usha Nadkarni - Savita Deshmukh (Pavitra Rishta)
Savita was the fiery, possessive mother-in-law everyone loved to hate. With her sharp tongue and tough love, she brought both drama and emotion, capturing the messy, complex side of motherhood
Ratna Pathak Shah - Maya (Sarabhai vs Sarabhai)
Maya was the snooty, hilarious mother who constantly threw shade at her middle-class daughter-in-law, Monisha. Her sharp humor and high-society ways made her a standout, iconic "cool mom" of Indian TV
Surekha Sikri - Kalyani Devi Singh (Balika Vadhu)
Initially portrayed as a strict traditionalist supporting child marriage, Dadisa's character had one of the best redemption arcs. Surekha Sikri's role as Dadisa became a household name
Kamya Punjabi - Preeto Kaur (Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki)
Preeto initially appeared as a stern, tradition-bound mother but eventually showed great depth as she battled society’s prejudices to protect her transgender daughter-in-law, Saumya. Kamya Punjabi's role as Preeto got her massive success and became a household name
Meghna Malik - Ammaji (Na Aana Iss Des Laado)
Ammaji, the strong and powerful matriarch, ruled the entire village and challenged patriarchy. Fierce, feared, and absolutely unforgettable, she ruled like a boss, becoming a symbol of power, controversy, and complex motherhood on Indian television
Hina Khan - Akshara (Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai)
Perfect daughter-in-law and a doting mother, Akshara was the definition of the ideal woman. Her emotional bond with her kids Naksh and Naira touched millions, and made her a household name.
Smriti Irani - Tulsi (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi)
Tulsi was the heart and soul of the Virani family, often standing as the moral compass and fighting for the right values. Through the show, Smriti aka Tulsi became the epitome of the ideal daughter-in-law and mother, standing as a pillar for her family
Divyanka Tripathi - Ishi Ma (Yeh Hai Mohabbatein)
Ishita Bhalla, aka Divyanka Tripathi, played a dentist in the show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. In the show, she adopted her baby girl Ruhi and broke several stereotypes. Her portrayal of Ishita Bhalla earned her the name of Ishi Ma and became one of the most iconic characters
Jayati Bhatia - Nirmala Devi "Mataji" (Sasural Simar Ka)
Mataji was wise but also stereotypical and couldn't bend her rules for anyone. The head of the Bharadwaj family, though she came across as a rigid matriarch, Mataji often fought and stood like a rock for her family
Sakshi Tanwar – Parvati Agarwal (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii)
Parvati Agarwal was the heart of the Agarwal family. She balanced family duties with deep-rooted values, always standing up for what was right. Her calm demeanour, nurturing nature, and silent resilience made her one of Indian television's most loved mother figures
Shweta Tiwari – Prerna Sharma (Kasautii Zindagii Kay)
Prerna Sharma’s journey was filled with love, sacrifice, and endless struggles. As a single mother, Prerna fought against societal norms to protect her children and secure their future
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