Jhanak

Last updated

Jhanak
JhanakPoster.webp
Genre Romance
Created by Leena Gangopadhyay
Written by Leena Gangopadhyay (dialogues)
Screenplay by Leena Gangopadhyay
Story by Leena Gangopadhyay
Directed by
  • Shaibal Banerjee
  • Sujit Pyne
Creative directorGarima Dimri
Starring
Theme music composerDebojyoti Mishra
Country of originIndia
Original languageHindi
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes622
Production
Executive producersDebolina Mukhopadhyay & Arabinda Dasgupta (Magic Moments Motion Pictures)
Taniya, Supriyo & Shayak (StarPlus)
ProducersShaibal Banerjee
Leena Gangopadhyay
CinematographyPankaj Saha
EditorJanak Chauhan
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time40 minutes
Production company Magic Moments Motion Pictures
Original release
Network StarPlus
Release20 November 2023 (2023-11-20) 
present
Related

Jhanak is an Indian Hindi-language television drama series that premiered on StarPlus on 20 November 2023 and streams digitally on Disney+ Hotstar. [1] [2]

Contents

Produced under Magic Moments Motion Pictures, it is inspired by the Star Jalsha Bengali series Jol Nupur . The series originally starred Hiba Nawab and Krushal Ahuja in the lead roles. [3]

Since June 2025, the show has featured Riya Sharma in the titular role as Jhanak (the daughter of Jhanak, previously portrayed by Hiba Nawab), along with Arjit Taneja and Twinkle Arora. [4]

The second-generation storyline is a loose adaptation of Star Jalsha's Bengali series Ishti Kutum . The show also featured Megha Chakraborty as Ishani in a parallel storyline. [5]

Following the positive response to Ishani’s storyline, it was developed into a standalone series titled Ishani , which started premiering from 3 July 2025 and was ended on 27 October 2025 due to low TRPs. [6]

Plot

After her mother’s death, Jhanak is forced to marry her cousin Arshi’s fiancé, Aniruddh, to escape her stalker, Tejas. Although Aniruddh and Arshi have been together for seven years, Jhanak enters their lives under distressing circumstances and begins working as a maid in the Bose household. While some family members treat her kindly, others constantly insult and belittle her. Despite Arshi’s presence, Jhanak and Aniruddh grow close and become intimate when he is intoxicated during a trip to Kashmir.

Their secret marriage is later exposed, causing major tension within the family. Though humiliated, Arshi decides to stay. Jhanak moves to Mumbai to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer and later returns, claiming to be pregnant with Aniruddh’s child. However, it is later revealed to be a tumour. Aniruddh suffers a heart attack, and Jhanak is presumed dead after being targeted by Srishti and Tejas. She is rescued by Kulbhushan, Brijbhushan’s lookalike, and soon learns that Brijbhushan is her biological father. Kulbhushan, with the help of Srishti and Urvashi, had stolen Brijbhushan’s identity. Determined to expose them, Jhanak returns disguised as Nutan. During an anniversary celebration, their truth is revealed. Kulbhushan murders Brijbhushan, and Aniruddh, still in love with Jhanak, falsely claims to have cancer to marry her. Upon discovering the truth, a heartbroken Jhanak leaves for Mumbai with Aditya Kapoor.

Kulbhushan’s men later kidnap Jhanak, but she manages to escape. Meanwhile, property disputes erupt in the Bose family, and Jhanak ends up in Gujarat disguised as Vihaan’s late wife, Avni. She is shocked to discover that Aniruddh is Vihaan’s close friend. At a family wedding, Arshi exposes Jhanak’s true identity. A marriage is arranged between Jhanak and Vihaan, but she flees before the ceremony.

Jhanak is captured again by Kulbhushan’s men but is saved by an elderly couple. She ends up in a red-light area and escapes to a police station, where Choton finds her and brings her back to the Bose house, shocking everyone. During Arshi’s baby shower, Srishti publicly apologises and claims to be Jhanak’s mother. Later, Jhanak becomes the caretaker of Arshi’s baby but continues to face humiliation and abuse from the family. Jhanak eventually learns that Arshi’s baby was swapped at birth. During the Holi festival, she exposes the truth and begins searching for the real child. Meanwhile, Laal divorces Bipasha after her father, Sarveshwar, reappears. Bipasha conspires with him to send Jhanak to Banaras.

Jhanak tracks down the man responsible for stealing Arshi’s baby and attempts to expose him. Meanwhile, Mimi and Anirban plan their wedding, and a false case is filed against Jhanak. She is arrested, but Aniruddh and Mimi testify in her defence, revealing the constant mental abuse she endured in the Bose household. Inspector Sanjay Sarkar uncovers that several police officers helped Shubho, Tanuja, and Arshi frame Jhanak by suppressing evidence. The judge ultimately dismisses the case due to lack of evidence and clears Jhanak of all charges. Shubho, Tanuja, and Arshi are left humiliated as the truth comes to light, and justice finally prevails for Jhanak.

Later, Arshi meets Siddharth Chatterjee and quickly falls in love with him, while Aniruddh leaves the Bose house to live in a live-in relationship with Jhanak. When Aniruddh learns of Arshi’s growing closeness with Siddharth, he insists that Arshi divorce him so that he can marry Jhanak and she can be with Siddharth. The divorce proceedings nearly reach completion, but Siddharth betrays Arshi and elopes with his girlfriend, leaving her devastated. Aniruddh and Jhanak return to the Bose house and begin their wedding preparations. However, on the wedding day, Arshi returns and refuses to grant the divorce. Heartbroken, Jhanak runs away and, on her journey, finds Arshi and Aniruddh’s kidnapped daughter, Aditi, affectionately nicknamed “Moon.” She rescues her, boards a bus, and meets Parashar, who saves them both from Kulbhushan’s goons and takes them to Shimulbuni. Over time, Jhanak and Parashar grow close as he supports her and helps raise Moon as his own daughter.

Although Aniruddh and Arshi remain married, their relationship turns cold and distant. Aniruddh continues to live in the memories of Jhanak, while in Shimulbuni, Parashar becomes a father figure to Moon, and Jhanak raises her as her own child. Unaware of Jhanak’s presence in Shimulbuni, Aniruddh arrives there for an office project. The two reunite and share an intimate moment. The next day, Aniruddh hears rumours that Jhanak is Parashar’s wife and feels deeply betrayed. Jhanak then reveals the truth—that Moon is actually Aniruddh and Arshi’s biological daughter.

Wanting the best for Moon, Jhanak sends her away with Aniruddh to Kolkata despite her heartbreak. Soon after, Jhanak is poisoned in the village and rushed to the hospital by Parashar and the villagers. Aniruddh arrives, learns that Jhanak and Parashar were never married, and decides to marry Jhanak in the village. Parashar, secretly in love with Jhanak, is heartbroken but hides his pain and supports their union.

Aniruddh and Jhanak eventually marry, and Jhanak later reveals that she is pregnant with his child. However, Aniruddh refuses to believe her and accuses Parashar of being the father. Devastated by his mistrust and accusations, Jhanak severs all ties with him, realising that Aniruddh is unworthy of her love. The two part ways forever.

Years later, Jhanak has renamed herself Nutan and is raising her and Aniruddh’s daughter, Jhanak—affectionately nicknamed “Phool”—with love and care. Phool aspires to become an officer to give her mother a better life. Meanwhile, Arshi and Aniruddh have shifted to London with the Bose family. A grown-up Aditi (Moon) is now in a relationship with a police officer named Rishi.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guests

Production

Development

Jhanak is produced by Leena Gangopadhyay and Saibal Banerjee under Magic Moments Motion Pictures. [7] It is inspired from Jol Nupur. [8] [9]

Casting

Hiba Nawab was cast in the titular role of Jhanak. [10] [11] Krushal Ahuja was cast as Aniruddha Bose opposite Hiba Nawab. [12] Chandni Sharma was cast as Arshi, the parallel lead. [13] [14] Dolly Sohi was cast as Arshi's mother Srishti, [15] while Kajal Pisal was cast as Aniruddh's mother Tanuja. [16] [17] Rishi Kaushik was cast as Tejas, Jhanak's obsessive lover. [18] [19]

In January 2024, Sohi quit the show and was replaced by Poorva Gokhale. [20] [21] In April 2024, Deepali Pansare was cast as Mrinalini, opposite Puneet Panjwani. [22]

Zohaib Siddiqui and Erica Fernandes [23] were approached to play the new leads post the generation leap, but Riya Sharma, Arjit Taneja and Twinkle Arora were finalized. [24] Krushal Ahuja was replaced by Sumeet Sachdev as the older Anirudh, while Parvati Sehgal took over the role of the older Jhanak, replacing Nawab. Ashlesha Sawant replaced Chandni Sharma. [25]

Filming

The shooting of the series began in September 2023. [26] It was primarily based in Kashmir and Kolkata, and some initial episodes were shot in both locations. [27] [28]

Nawab had learned to row a shikara within two days for the role of Jhanak. [29]

Release

In June 2025, A promo for the 20 year leap was released featuring Riya Sharma and Arjit Taneja as new leads, respectively playing Jhanak and Rishi. [30]

See also

References

  1. "An intriguing promo of the upcoming show Jhanak highlights how main protagonist Jhanak will overcome all the obstacles in life". The Times of India. 5 November 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  2. "Jhanak: Promo of new serial is out, Watch Hiba Nawab beautifully embracing the sad scene". ABP Live. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  3. "Hiba Nawab and Krushal Ahuja from the show Jhanak give a sneak peek into their on-screen and off-screen bond". The Times of India. 18 November 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  4. Sehgal, Chirag (24 May 2025). "Arjit Taneja, Twinkle Arora, and Riya Sharma confirmed as new leads in Jhanak". News18. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  5. "Megha Chakraborty joins the cast of Jhanak". The Times of India. 14 May 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  6. "StarPlus to launch Ishani". Disney+ Hotstar. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  7. "Krushal-Hiba's Jhanak: Not a remake! In Leena's Hindi serial, hero Krushal, villain Rishi Kaushik! Shooting started in Kolkata". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali). 1 September 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  8. Hungama, Bollywood (20 November 2023). "Ahead of Jhanak's television premiere, Krushal Ahuja, aka Aniruddh gives a glimpse of Jhanak's journey; says, "Audience will witness the journey of trio and the complexities of emotions and relationships" : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  9. "An intriguing promo of the upcoming show Jhanak highlights how main protagonist Jhanak will overcome all the obstacles in life". The Times of India. 5 November 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  10. "After Woh Toh Hai Albelaa, Hiba Nawab returns with a new show 'Jhanak'". The Times of India. 18 October 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  11. "Jhanak EXCLUSIVE: Hiba Nawab on show completing 100 episodes: I wish someday we top the TRP chart". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  12. "Krushal Ahuja on his show Jhanak, says 'Audience will witness the journey of Jhanak, Anirudh, Arshi and the complexities of emotions and relationships'". The Times of India. 20 November 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  13. Hungama, Bollywood (14 November 2023). "Ahead of Jhanak going on air, Chandni Sharma express excitement; reveals she was the 'last' to be cast on the show". Bollywood Hungama . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  14. "Chandni Sharma, aka Arshi gives an insight into her character in Jhanak, says "We are both ambitious and passionate about dance"". The Times of India. 15 November 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  15. "Dolly Sohi makes a comeback". The Tribune.
  16. "Dolly Sohi got severe skin problems while shooting for TV show 'Jhanak' in Kolkata". The Times of India. 4 September 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  17. "Kajal Pisal celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi in Bengali attire, says 'My upcoming show Jhanak helped me with the idea'". The Times of India. 25 September 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  18. Bajpai, Manushri (20 November 2023). "आज से छोटे पर्दे पर दस्तक देगा 'झनक', अनिरुद्ध और अर्शी की कहानी जीतेगी आपका दिल". Zee News Hindi (in Hindi). Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  19. Kanji, Subasmita (31 August 2023). "Rishi Kaushik: Rishi Kaushik is coming to the small screen as a villain!". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  20. "Dolly Sohi quits Jhanak due to health condition". The Times of India. 2 February 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  21. "Dolly Sohi death: 'Jhanak' actress passes away at 48, a day after her sister's demise". The Economic Times. 8 March 2024. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  22. Dishya Sharma (April 2024). "Deepali Pansare has this to say about her character in Jhanak". News18 India. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  23. "Exclusive- Zohaib Siddiqui, Erica Fernandes and Riya Sharma to be the new leads of Jhanak?". The Times of India . 16 May 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  24. Maheshwari, Neha (1 June 2025). "Arjit Taneja on joining Jhanak as the new lead: I had initially declined the show - Exclusive". The Times of India . Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  25. "I choose shows with good roles, not ratings: Ashlesha Sawant on joining Jhanak". The Times of India. 10 June 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  26. "Leena Ganguly and Saibal Banerjee start shoot for their new Hindi serial". The Times of India. 2 September 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  27. "Leena Gangopadhyay ready to narrate a new story in Rishi Kaushik, Krushal Ahuja starrer 'Jhanak'". The Times of India. 30 August 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  28. "Exclusive! Kajal Pisal joins the cast of Hiba Nawab and Krushal Ahuja, will travel to Kolkata for the shoot". The Times of India. 26 August 2023. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  29. "Going all the way". The Tribune.
  30. "'End This Sh*T Show': Jhanak Leap Promo Fails To Impress Netizens; Riya Sharma And Arjit Taneja Enter As Leads". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2025.