Cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai – Full Cast, Characters & Crew Details

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is one of the most popular and long-running Hindi television family dramas in India. The show premiered on 12 January 2009 on Star Plus and was created by Rajan Shahi under the banner of Director’s Kut Productions. Over the years, it has introduced several generations of characters, with each generation bringing new relationships, family conflicts, romantic stories and emotional twists.

The cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has changed significantly since its beginning. Hina Khan and Karan Mehra became famous for portraying Akshara and Naitik Singhania, while Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan won audiences over as Naira and Kartik Goenka. Later, Harshad Chopda and Pranali Rathod led the story as Abhimanyu and Akshara, followed by Samridhii Shukla and Rohit Purohit as Abhira and Armaan.

The series continues to introduce new characters and family relationships as its story progresses. Its extensive cast includes lead actors, supporting performers, grandparents, parents, siblings, children and recurring characters who contribute to the show’s evolving family drama.

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Overview

Category	Details
Show Name	Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Common Abbreviation	YRKKH
Genre	Family Drama, Romance
Original Language	Hindi
Country	India
Original Release Date	12 January 2009
Television Network	Star Plus
Production Company	Director’s Kut Productions
Creator and Producer	Rajan Shahi
Original Lead Pair	Hina Khan and Karan Mehra
Popular Second-Generation Leads	Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan
Third-Generation Leads	Harshad Chopda and Pranali Rathod
Fourth-Generation Leads	Samridhii Shukla and Rohit Purohit
Current Lead Characters	Abhira Sharma and Armaan Poddar
Original Format	Television serial
Status	Ongoing series

What Is Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai?

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is a family drama that explores relationships, marriage, parenting, generational differences and the challenges faced by people within a close-knit family. The story initially revolved around Akshara Maheshwari and Naitik Singhania, whose arranged marriage developed into a relationship built on trust, affection and mutual understanding.

As the story progressed, the focus shifted to their children and the next generation of the family. Naira and Kartik became the central couple during a major phase of the series, followed by Akshara Goenka and Abhimanyu Birla. The current generation centres on Abhira Sharma and Armaan Poddar, whose relationship develops amid complicated family circumstances.

One of the show’s defining features is its generational storytelling. Rather than keeping the same lead couple at the centre forever, the series introduces new protagonists while retaining selected family connections and familiar names. This approach has helped the show maintain a long-running narrative while giving different actors opportunities to lead the story.

Release Date and Broadcast Details

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai premiered on 12 January 2009 on Star Plus. The show was introduced as a family-oriented drama and gradually developed into a multi-generational television series with an extensive cast and several major story transitions.

The early episodes focused on Akshara and Naitik’s marriage and their adjustment to family life. Later chapters explored the lives of Naira, Kartik, their children and the families connected to them. Subsequent generations introduced new protagonists and different relationship dynamics.

The series is broadcast on Star Plus, with digital availability through the platform carrying its episodes in India. Availability of individual episodes and older seasons may vary.

Main Cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The show has featured many lead actors throughout its history. Some actors appeared for several years, while others joined for particular generations, story arcs or family relationships.

Actor	Character	Generation or Association
Samridhii Shukla	Abhira Sharma / Abhira Sharma Poddar	Fourth generation
Rohit Purohit	Armaan Poddar	Fourth generation
Anita Raj	Kaveri Poddar, also known as Dadisa	Poddar family elder
Shruti Ulfat	Vidya Poddar	Poddar family
Shruti Rawat	Manisha Poddar	Poddar family
Sandeep Rajora	Madhav Poddar	Poddar family
Aaryan Arora	Krish Poddar	Poddar family
Sarah Killedar	Vaani / Mukti, depending on the storyline	Younger-generation character
Chaaarushree Singh	Tanya	Supporting character
Pranali Rathod	Akshara Goenka / Akshara Sharma	Third generation
Harshad Chopda	Dr. Abhimanyu Birla	Third generation
Shivangi Joshi	Naira Singhania Goenka	Second generation
Mohsin Khan	Kartik Goenka	Second generation
Hina Khan	Akshara Maheshwari Singhania	First generation
Karan Mehra	Naitik Singhania	First generation
Rohan Mehra	Naksh Singhania	Second generation
Rishi Dev	Naksh Singhania	Second generation
Kanchi Singh	Gayatri “Gayu” Deora	Second generation
Mohena Kumari Singh	Keerti Goenka	Second generation
Nidhi Uttam	Nandini Singhania	Earlier generation
Medha Jambotkar	Kaveri Singhania	Earlier family storyline

Current Cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The latest chapters continue the story of Abhira and Armaan while introducing new characters and expanding the family narrative. The cast has evolved through several transitions, so the actors appearing in older generations should be distinguished from those featured in the current storyline.

Actor	Character	Role in the Story
Samridhii Shukla	Abhira Sharma	Central female protagonist
Rohit Purohit	Armaan Poddar	Central male protagonist
Anita Raj	Kaveri Poddar / Dadisa	Senior member of the Poddar family
Shruti Ulfat	Vidya Poddar	Member of the Poddar household
Shruti Rawat	Manisha Poddar	Supporting family character
Sandeep Rajora	Madhav Poddar	Senior Poddar family member
Aaryan Arora	Krish Poddar	Younger member of the Poddar family
Sarah Killedar	Vaani / Mukti	Character associated with the newer storyline
Chaaarushree Singh	Tanya	Supporting character

The series also introduced additional performers around its newer story transition, including Aastha Chaudhary, Neelu Vaghela, Kuldeep Singh and Aadesh Chaudhary. Their characters belong to the newer chapter of the story, which brings fresh family relationships and conflicts into the narrative.

Samridhii Shukla as Abhira Sharma

Samridhii Shukla plays Abhira Sharma, one of the central characters in the current generation of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Abhira is portrayed as an independent, determined and emotionally strong woman who tries to balance her personal ambitions with the complexities of family life.

Her relationship with Armaan Poddar forms a major part of the current storyline. Their journey includes misunderstandings, emotional disagreements, changing loyalties and challenges created by family expectations. Abhira’s character is frequently placed in situations where she must stand up for herself while making difficult decisions about love and responsibility.

Samridhii’s portrayal gives the show a new female lead with a distinct personality from the earlier protagonists. Although the family setting remains central, Abhira’s individual choices and determination help shape the direction of the newer storyline.

Rohit Purohit as Armaan Poddar

Rohit Purohit portrays Armaan Poddar, the male protagonist of the current generation. Armaan belongs to the Poddar family and is connected to several family members whose expectations and personal disagreements influence his life.

His relationship with Abhira is one of the main emotional threads in the show. The character faces difficult choices involving love, family loyalty, responsibility and personal happiness. These conflicts create much of the drama surrounding the current lead pair.

Rohit Purohit took over the role after Shehzada Dhami’s departure from the series in 2024. His version of Armaan continues the character’s place in the broader family story while bringing his own interpretation to the role.

Anita Raj as Kaveri Poddar

Anita Raj plays Kaveri Poddar, widely known in the series as Dadisa. Kaveri is one of the senior members of the Poddar family and holds an influential position within the household.

Her character represents tradition, authority and the expectations placed on younger family members. Kaveri’s decisions frequently affect family relationships, especially when personal wishes conflict with established customs or the family’s reputation.

Dadisa’s presence is important because she connects the younger characters’ romantic and personal problems to the wider family structure. Her reactions and decisions often become major turning points in the storyline.

Shruti Ulfat as Vidya Poddar

Shruti Ulfat portrays Vidya Poddar, a member of the Poddar household. Vidya’s relationships with other family members form part of the emotional and domestic storylines surrounding Armaan and the wider family.

Her character contributes to the series’ exploration of family loyalty, parental expectations and the difficulties of maintaining harmony within a large household. Vidya’s position in the family can influence the way conflicts develop between the older and younger generations.

Shruti Rawat as Manisha Poddar

Shruti Rawat plays Manisha Poddar, another important supporting character in the Poddar family. Through Manisha, the show develops everyday family relationships, disagreements and emotional connections that extend beyond the lead couple.

Her character helps create the larger domestic environment in which Abhira and Armaan’s story unfolds. Like other recurring family members, Manisha’s reactions and relationships contribute to the changing dynamics of the household.

Sandeep Rajora as Madhav Poddar

Sandeep Rajora portrays Madhav Poddar, a senior member of the Poddar family. His character adds another dimension to the household’s relationships and disagreements.

Madhav’s interactions with other family members contribute to the show’s focus on responsibility, family expectations and the effect of older decisions on younger people. His presence supports the wider narrative beyond the central romance.

Aaryan Arora as Krish Poddar

Aaryan Arora plays Krish Poddar, a younger member of the Poddar family. Krish’s storylines are connected to the changing relationships and ambitions of the younger generation.

His character provides opportunities for the series to explore the challenges faced by younger family members as they attempt to establish their own identities. These stories complement the main romantic plot and help maintain the show’s ensemble-family format.

First Generation Cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The first generation established the emotional foundation of the series. Akshara and Naitik’s relationship was the original centre of the show, and their family life introduced viewers to the values and traditions that would influence later generations.

Hina Khan as Akshara Maheshwari Singhania

Hina Khan played Akshara Maheshwari Singhania, the original female protagonist. Akshara begins her journey as a young woman adjusting to marriage and a new family environment. Her story explores personal growth, relationships with in-laws, motherhood and the balance between tradition and independence.

Hina Khan’s performance made Akshara one of the most recognisable characters in Indian television. Her role established the emotional style of the serial and created a foundation for the stories that followed.

Karan Mehra as Naitik Singhania

Karan Mehra portrayed Naitik Singhania, Akshara’s husband and the original male lead. Naitik’s character develops from a young husband learning to navigate marriage into a family man dealing with responsibilities and changing circumstances.

His relationship with Akshara was central to the early seasons. Together, they represented the gradual development of a marriage through communication, family challenges and shared responsibilities.

Supporting Cast of the First Generation

Actor	Character	Contribution
Lata Sabharwal	Rajshri Maheshwari	Akshara’s mother
Sanjeev Seth	Vishambharnath Maheshwari	Akshara’s father
Medha Jambotkar	Kaveri Singhania	Senior Singhania family member
Nidhi Uttam	Nandini Singhania	Member of the Singhania family
Ashish Kapoor	Nikhil Deora	Supporting character
Aman Sharma	Anshuman Maheshwari	Akshara’s family connection
Amardeep Jha	Shankari	Supporting family character

These actors helped build the original family network around Akshara and Naitik. Their roles gave the show a strong domestic setting and created relationships that influenced the next generations.

Second Generation Cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The second generation brought Naira and Kartik to the centre of the story. Their relationship became one of the defining romances of the series and introduced new families, conflicts and younger characters.

Shivangi Joshi as Naira Singhania Goenka

Shivangi Joshi portrayed Naira Singhania Goenka, the daughter of Akshara and Naitik. Naira is shown as independent, courageous and determined to make her own decisions. Her relationship with Kartik becomes a major focus of the series.

Naira’s character experiences complicated family relationships, personal challenges and emotional setbacks. Her journey expands the story beyond her parents’ marriage and establishes the next generation as the main focus.

Mohsin Khan as Kartik Goenka

Mohsin Khan played Kartik Goenka, Naira’s husband and one of the show’s most popular male protagonists. Kartik’s story includes romantic struggles, family responsibilities and difficult decisions that affect his relationships with Naira and their children.

The chemistry between Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan helped make the Naira–Kartik pairing a defining part of the serial. Their storyline attracted a large fan following and remains one of the most memorable periods in the show’s history.

Rohan Mehra as Naksh Singhania

Rohan Mehra played Naksh Singhania, a member of Akshara and Naitik’s family and Naira’s brother. Naksh’s role connected the original family storyline to the younger generation.

The character later appeared in different phases of the serial through changes in the storyline and casting. Naksh’s relationships and family responsibilities helped carry the Singhania family’s story forward.

Other Important Second-Generation Actors

Actor	Character	Role
Kanchi Singh	Gayatri “Gayu” Deora	Naira’s cousin
Mohena Kumari Singh	Keerti Goenka	Member of the younger generation
Rishi Dev	Naksh Singhania	Later portrayal of Naksh
Ashnoor Kaur	Young Naira	Younger version of Naira
Shivansh Kotia	Young Naksh	Younger version of Naksh
Niyati Joshi	Swarna Goenka	Goenka family member
Shilpa Raizada	Surekha Goenka	Supporting Goenka family character
Swati Chitnis	Suhasini Goenka	Senior member of the Goenka family

The second-generation cast expanded the show’s family tree and introduced new relationships that became important to the third generation.

Third Generation Cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The third generation shifted the main focus to Akshara Goenka and Dr. Abhimanyu Birla. This phase introduced the Birla family and developed storylines involving love, medical careers, parental expectations and complicated relationships.

Pranali Rathod as Akshara Goenka

Pranali Rathod portrayed Akshara Goenka, the daughter of Naira and Kartik. Her character became the central female protagonist during the third-generation storyline.

Akshara’s journey involved difficult family circumstances, emotional decisions and a complicated relationship with Abhimanyu Birla. Her character was written with a strong focus on personal responsibility, family bonds and the consequences of decisions made under pressure.

Harshad Chopda as Dr. Abhimanyu Birla

Harshad Chopda played Dr. Abhimanyu Birla, a central male character in the third generation. Abhimanyu is portrayed as a talented doctor whose personal life becomes closely connected with Akshara and the Birla family.

His relationship with Akshara forms the centre of many major storylines. The couple’s journey explores love, misunderstandings, professional responsibility and the difficulties of maintaining a relationship when family expectations interfere.

Supporting Cast of the Third Generation

Actor	Character	Role
Karishma Sawant	Aarohi Goenka	Akshara’s sister
Niharika Chouksey	Nishtha Birla	Birla family member
Ami Trivedi	Manjari Birla	Abhimanyu’s mother
Paras Priyadarshan	Neil Birla	Member of the Birla family
Mayank Arora	Kairav Goenka	Younger-generation family member
Niyati Joshi	Swarna Goenka	Goenka family member
Swati Chitnis	Suhasini Goenka	Senior family member

The third generation introduced new family conflicts while retaining connections to the Goenka family. These relationships helped bridge the stories of Naira and Kartik with the newer protagonists.

Supporting Cast and Family Members

A long-running family drama depends on more than its lead pair. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai uses a large supporting cast to create its family environment, including grandparents, parents, cousins, siblings, children and other recurring characters.

Actor	Character	Family or Story Association
Anita Raj	Kaveri Poddar	Poddar family elder
Shruti Ulfat	Vidya Poddar	Poddar family
Shruti Rawat	Manisha Poddar	Poddar family
Sandeep Rajora	Madhav Poddar	Poddar family
Aaryan Arora	Krish Poddar	Younger Poddar family member
Garvita Sadhwani	Ruhi Goenka	Character from an earlier phase of the fourth-generation storyline
Shivam Khajuria	Rohit Poddar	Poddar family member in the earlier fourth-generation storyline
Preeti Amin	Akshara	Character associated with an earlier story phase
Vineet Jain	Dev Shekhawat	Supporting character
Preeti Puri Choudhary	Kaajal Bansal	Supporting character
Saee Barve	Surekha Goenka	Goenka family member
Rishabh Jaiswal	Krish Poddar	Character portrayed in an earlier casting phase

Some supporting roles have been recast or changed as the serial has progressed. Character appearances can also vary according to the generation and storyline being discussed.

Directors of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The series has been directed by multiple directors over its long run. Different directors have contributed to its episodes and major story arcs, helping maintain production across several generations.

Name	Credit
Romesh Kalra	Director
Rishi Mandial	Director
Ram Pandey	Director

Romesh Kalra is closely associated with the show’s long-running production, while Rishi Mandial and Ram Pandey have also received directing credits for different periods. Episode-level directing credits may vary over time.

Writers of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

The writing team is responsible for developing the show’s relationships, family conflicts, character arcs and major dramatic transitions. The serial’s long format requires continuing story development as well as dialogue and episode writing.

Writer	Credit
Zama Habib	Writer
Saba Mumtaz	Writer
Ghazala Nargis	Writer
Munisha Rajpal	Writer
Bandana Tiwari	Writer
Bhavna Vyas	Writer
Aparajita Sharma	Dialogue
Divy Nidhi Sharma	Dialogue

The writers have helped the show move from the original Akshara–Naitik story to the later generations. Their work includes introducing new family members, developing romantic relationships and creating conflicts that can sustain the serial over an extended period.

Producers of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

Name	Credit
Rajan Shahi	Creator and Producer
Director’s Kut Productions	Production company

Rajan Shahi is the key creative name associated with the series. Through Director’s Kut Productions, the show has developed into a long-running television franchise with multiple generations of lead characters.

The production has had to manage a large ensemble, evolving storylines and changes in the cast while preserving the family-drama format that defines the serial.

Cinematography and Editing

Cinematography and editing play important roles in a daily family drama. Camera work helps present the emotional expressions, family gatherings, celebrations and confrontations that form a major part of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

Editing connects individual scenes and helps maintain the pace of the story. Since the serial frequently moves between several households and character groups, editing is essential for balancing the main romantic plot with supporting family stories.

Technical Area	Details
Cinematography	Episode and production-specific camera teams
Editing	Episode and production-specific editing teams
Visual Style	Family drama with emotional and romantic sequences
Story Structure	Multi-character, multi-generational narrative

Specific cinematographers and editors can vary by production period, so a complete crew list should be checked against the relevant season or episode credits.

Music and Technical Details

Technical Category	Details
Title	Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Language	Hindi
Genre	Family Drama and Romance
Country	India
Original Network	Star Plus
Production Company	Director’s Kut Productions
Original Premiere	12 January 2009
Format	Television serial
Storytelling Style	Multi-generational family drama
Central Themes	Marriage, love, family, relationships and responsibility

Music contributes to the show’s emotional identity, particularly during romantic moments, family celebrations and major dramatic developments. Its overall presentation combines domestic scenes with emotional background music and recurring story themes.

Why Is Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai So Popular?

One of the main reasons for the show’s popularity is its focus on relationships that audiences can recognise. Marriage, family expectations, parenting, misunderstandings and generational differences are familiar experiences for many viewers. By presenting these subjects through an extended family story, the serial creates emotional connections with its audience.

Another reason is the show’s ability to introduce new protagonists. Akshara and Naitik’s story established the foundation, while Naira and Kartik brought a fresh romantic chapter. Abhimanyu and Akshara later introduced another generation, followed by Abhira and Armaan. Each transition created opportunities for new characters and different kinds of conflict.

The performances of the lead actors have also helped define the show’s major eras. Hina Khan and Karan Mehra are associated with the original story, Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan with the second generation, Harshad Chopda and Pranali Rathod with the third, and Samridhii Shukla and Rohit Purohit with the fourth.

Finally, the supporting cast gives the series its family identity. Grandparents, parents, cousins and siblings are not merely background characters; their choices often influence the lead couple’s relationship and create the situations that move the story forward.

Awards and Recognition

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has maintained a strong presence in Indian television for many years. Its longevity, changing lead couples and extensive ensemble have made it a recognisable name among Hindi television family dramas.

The serial and its performers have received attention at television award events over the years. Different generations of actors have built their own fan followings, and several lead performances have become closely associated with particular periods of the show’s history.

Because awards and nominations vary by year and category, individual wins should be verified against the relevant award ceremony before being included in a definitive awards table.

Conclusion

The cast of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai reflects the show’s evolution from a story about Akshara and Naitik’s marriage into a multi-generational family drama. Over the years, Hina Khan, Karan Mehra, Shivangi Joshi, Mohsin Khan, Harshad Chopda, Pranali Rathod, Samridhii Shukla and Rohit Purohit have each played important roles in defining different eras of the serial.

The supporting cast has been equally important. Family members such as Kaveri Poddar, Vidya Poddar, Manisha Poddar and Madhav Poddar help create the household dynamics that surround the central characters. Meanwhile, the show’s changing generations allow the story to explore new relationships without abandoning its focus on family, love and responsibility.

In its latest chapter, Abhira and Armaan remain the central characters, with additional cast members contributing to the evolving storyline. This combination of familiar themes, changing protagonists and a large ensemble continues to define Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai as one of the enduring names in Hindi television.

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