Plot
Mangal, a 35-year-old uneducated woman but a dedicated homemaker who lives with her husband, their two children, and her in-laws. Lakshmi, her cousin, a 22-year-old orphan, lives with Mangal's parents and works as a tailor to support the family. Mangal's husband, Adit, is a highly educated, 40-year-old, handsome but irascible man who works as a senior manager in a company. He detests Mangal and belittles her for being orthodox, uneducated, and for her simple dress sense. Mangal is unhappy with the way Adit treats her, but does not protest. She still tries to impress him. Unlike Adit, his parents and their son, Akshat, appreciate Mangal for her efforts and contributions. Adit's level headed father, Sudesh and austere mother Kusum, defend Mangal whenever Adit berates her.
Lakshmi, on the other hand, is described as kind, hardworking, and cheerful. She is a gifted singer and songwriter but has never had the chance to showcase her talent. Lakshmi is socially smart, knows the English language, and is good with technology, unlike Mangal, who neither understands English nor is proficient with technology, which often leads Adit to insult her. Lakshmi is mistreated by Mangal's cunning and greedy mother, Shanti, and her spoiled sister, Lipika, but she is loved by Mangal and her father, Bhushan. Mangal takes Lakshmi under her wing, cared for her, and mentored her like a daughter after Lakshmi's parents passed away. Lakshmi discontinued her studies after the 10th grade to assist Bhushan in running the shop, supporting her family in their pursuit of a better life. Mangal rejects Nitin, a billionaire, as a potential suitor for Lakshmi because of his two failed marriages. Adit snaps at Mangal for the drama with Nitin and expresses his difficulty living with Mangal for the past 15 years. He says that Lakshmi might ruin the life of the man she marries just like Mangal ruined his, as Lakshmi is much like Mangal. Kusum reprimands him and assures him that she and Mangal will find a respectful suitor for Lakshmi.
Kusum's stern younger sister, Gayatri, lives in a mansion with her cunning sister-in-law, Sanjana, and her son, Kartik. Kartik is a ugly, arrogant,rich, and unsuccessful singer who, like Adit, is bad-natured, careless, unloving, and lazy. Much like Mangal and Lakshmi, Kusum and Gayatri share a close, sisterly bond. Kartik respects and admires Mangal, just as Kusum and Akshat do. Gayatri's husband, Umesh, and their daughter, Nidhi, have gone to America for Nidhi's studies. Gayatri feels insecure and possessive of her son because of a curse given to her by her mother-in-law, who said that one day Kartik would be separated from her and she would die alone, yearning for him. Sanjana hates Gayatri for deliberately separating her mother and Umesh, which led Sanjana's mother to curse Gayatri. Sanjana constantly schemes against Gayatri, taunting her as a means of avenging her mother. Kartik has been in a relationship with Jiya, a dancer, for the past two years, but he has never disclosed it to anyone. However, Gayatri is aware of their relationship, unbeknownst to Kartik. Kusum and Gayatri harbor a deep disdain for Jiya due to her manipulative and undesirable nature, believing her to be unfit for Kartik.
