Naira Singhania Goenka

Naira Singhania Goenka
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai character
First appearance	"Naksh Has a Baby Sister" (9 February 2015)
Last appearance	"Naira Falls to Her Death" (11 January 2021)
Created by	Rajan Shahi
Portrayed by	Shivangi Joshi Ashnoor Kaur
In-universe information
Full name	Naira Singhania Goenka
Gender	Female
Occupation	Dancer Jewellery designer (shortly)
Family	Akshara Maheshwari Singhania (mother) Naitik Singhania (father) Naksh Singhania (brother)
Spouse	Kartik Goenka
Children	Kairav Goenka Akshara Goenka Sharma
Religion	Hinduism
Origin	Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Naira Singhania Goenka is the protagonist of the second generation of the longest-running Indian television soap Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai . Created by Rajan Shahi under Director's Kut Productions, the series became a cultural phenomenon. After Akshara, the legacy of the series was taken by Naira. Portrayed by Shivangi Joshi, Naira is regarded among the most memorable characters in Indian television. She is known for her positive character which is outspoken and fearless. ^{[1] [2]}

Development

Concept and creation

Naira was introduced as the daughter of Akshara Maheshwari Singhania and Naitik Singhania ^[3] .The character was created to represent a modern yet grounded young woman who navigates familial expectations, societal norms, and personal aspirations. Initially depicted as a carefree and rebellious teenager, Naira’s evolution into a mature, loving daughter, wife, and mother became central to the narrative of the series ^[4] . In November 2016, Hina Khan playing Akshara quit as her character became monotonous for her and she was shown killed in a car accident. ^[5] While Joshi playing Naira, who entered in May 2016, turned into the central character as the story started focusing on her journey.

Casting

When the character of Naira Singhania was introduced, her baby years were portrayed by Mishka Jain. After the 10 year leap, Ashnoor Kaur was cast as the young Naira and played the role from 2015 to 2016. Her portrayal of Naira's innocence and rebellious streak garnered appreciation and laid the foundation for the character’s popularity. ^[6] Shivangi Joshi was cast as Naira in 2016 after a major leap in the storyline. ^[1] Her portrayal was widely appreciated for its depth and relatability, earning her several awards and nominations. Producer Rajan Shahi stated in interviews that Shivangi’s ability to connect emotionally with the audience played a key role in the success of Naira's character. ^[2]

Characterization and evolution

Fiction

Naira is a fearless and out-spoken girl from Udaipur, who is known for her positive nature. She is born as the second child of Akshara and Naitik Singhania. Soon after her birth, her character shifts to Cape Town along with her parents as Kaveri Singhania ousts Akshara from their house. 10 years later, she returns back, but a misunderstanding leads her to flee to Hrishikesh, where she lives in an orphanage. 7 years later, Akshara finds her and takes her back. Soon, they reconcile and she falls in love with Kartik Goenka, then an employee of her father. Akshara dies in an accident. The show shifts focus to Naira. She and Kartik get married, but struggle due to many misunderstandings. Overtime, they fix the issues of their marriage and grow into a perfect couple. Naira delivers a boy, named Kairav and later a girl, whom she names Akshara after her late mother. She dies after falling off a cliff.

Impact

Naira was written as a multi-dimensional character, blending tradition with modernity. Initially shown as an independent girl who ran away from home due to a misunderstanding with her mother, her journey included reconciling with her family, marrying Kartik Goenka, and becoming a key member of the Goenka household. Her dynamic personality and romantic storyline with Kartik (played by Mohsin Khan) were integral to the show’s popularity, earning them the nickname “Kaira” among fans. Over time, Naira’s character was portrayed as a symbol of resilience and strength, tackling issues such as marital conflicts and family dynamics. Her eventual death in the show marked a turning point, leading to the introduction of her lookalike, Sirat, also played by Shivangi Joshi. ^[7]

Legacy and influence

Joshi's portrayal of Naira has garnered significant acclaim, establishing her as a beloved character in Indian television. Her performance has contributed to the show's longevity and earned her several accolades. Her chemistry with Mohsin Khan was highly appreciated by the audience and established her as a leading actress in Indian television.

See also

• Shivangi Joshi
• Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

References

1. "Shivangi Joshi will play the grown-up Naira". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
2. "Shivangi Joshi aka YRKKH's leading lady Naira bids adieu to show with a heartfelt note as makers introduce a generation leap". The Indian Express. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
3. Mulla, Zainab (9 February 2015). "Naitik and Akshara welcome their baby girl and call her 'Naira'". India.com. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
4. "As Bring back Kaira trends online, here's looking at some of Shivangi-Mohsin's best moments from YRKKH". Times Now. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
5. "This is the real reason why Akshara aka Hina Khan left Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai". The Indian Express. 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
6. "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata's on-screen siblings Ashnoor Kaur and Rohan Mehra attend Ed Sheeran concert". The Times Of India . 18 March 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
7. "Exclusive! Would love to be in Bollywood but right now, I'm happy with my show: Shivangi Joshi". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 May 2022.