Veteran actor Sharad Kelkar has reflected on the remarkable evolution of how marriages and relationships are portrayed on Indian television, observing that contemporary storytelling has moved far beyond the grandeur of wedding celebrations to embrace emotional authenticity and human complexity. Currently seen essaying the role of Arya in Tumm Se Tumm Tak, produced by Studio LSD, Sharad believes that audiences today seek deeper emotional truths rather than idealised portrayals of relationships.
Interestingly, Sharad’s own television journey began with the iconic Saat Phere, a show that revolved around familial bonds, love, sacrifice, and the institution of marriage. Looking back on those early years, the actor acknowledges how significantly narrative sensibilities have transformed over time.
Speaking about this shift, Sharad Kelkar shared, “Returning to a wedding track on Zee TV after so many years feels incredibly nostalgic because my television career also began with a show like Saat Phere, where relationships and marriage formed the emotional backbone of the story. However, what has changed most profoundly today is the way marriage itself is perceived on screen. Earlier, weddings were largely depicted as grand spectacles filled with celebration and tradition. Today, audiences resonate more with the emotional realities of relationships—the imperfections, the companionship, the conflicts, the sacrifices, and the conscious choices people make every day to stay together.”
The actor further noted that his own understanding of performance has matured alongside the changing tastes of viewers. “As an actor, I have evolved tremendously over the years. Earlier, the focus was primarily on performing a scene, but today you learn to understand the silences between dialogues, the unspoken emotions, and the emotional burdens a character carries. Arya is a deeply layered individual—someone who appears resilient and composed on the surface, yet harbours profound vulnerability within. That emotional depth makes this wedding track especially meaningful for me.”
Sharad believes that the growth of audiences and actors has happened simultaneously. According to him, modern viewers are drawn not to perfection, but to honesty and emotional sincerity. “Today, storytelling is far more nuanced because audiences connect with authenticity. Relationships are no longer portrayed as flawless ideals but as evolving journeys. That shift has made television richer, more relatable, and infinitely more engaging. For me, participating in a wedding track today feels less about celebrating an event and more about honouring a relationship that viewers have emotionally invested in and grown with over time,” he concluded.
