Beloved TV characters we miss

Recently we all saw Anandi (Avika Gor), the child bride in Colors' top rated soap Balika Vadhu, get shot by gangsters. Luckily for her fans, she survived.

Whether to raise TRPs, to get a show a new lease or due to the end of an actor's contract, more often than not, popular characters of television shows disappear, only to re-surface later.

Here's a look a few who haven't yet come back!

Main lead: Rajeev Khandelwal

Rajeev famously succeeded as Sujal Garewal, a man with the limitless capacity to love Kashish, played by Aamna Sharif.

A hot favourite with young girls and an Indian youth icon after his Kahiin Toh Hoga stint, Rajeev has since left the show, and has made a name for himself in film and as the host of popular reality show Sach Ka Saamna.

Main lead: Mona Singh

Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin -- lifted from Yo Soy Betty La Fea, a Colombian sitcom that also inspired US series Ugly Betty -- was the story of a simple girl named Jassi, an ugly but brilliant duckling who later turned into a beautiful swan.

This courageous and liberal girl secretly falls in love with her boss, but ends up betrayed, before finally, ultimately, winning back her love.

With faith in love and life put to test many a times, the serial showcased the journey of an ugly-looking girl and her encounter with the real world.

Mona Singh did complete justice to her debut role.

Main lead: Neena Gupta

As director and as one of the show's stars, Neena Gupta as Priya was truly the driving force behind Saans. The emotional serial portrayed the real life problems faced by 'average joes' in regular society. In particular, it highlighted marriage trouble, by portraying the declining phase of a husband-wife relationship.

It demonstrated the problems faced by Gupta after her husband, played by Kanwaljeet Singh, becomes infatuated with a lady who is a maniac.

So starts the worst phase in the life of Gupta's character. She manages to keep it all together, however, and still manages to handle her family and children.

Main lead: Niki Aneja Walia

Astitva Ek Prem Kahani is all about Dr Simran Mathur, played by Niki Aneja Walia, a successful gynecologist.

Having devoted her entire life towards achieving this success, Simran finds herself lonely as she edges closer to her mid-thirties. 24-year-old Abhimanyu brings out her feminine side, and introduces her to her desires and needs.

They happily marry.

It's only after their marriage, however, that Abhi becomes attracted to a young model and betrays his wife.

But Simran is not dependent on her husband for every need and knows how to handle her family and career even without him. This was the first serial to break the trend that a man has to be older than the woman to marry her.

Niki won many a heart and many an award for this portrayal.

Main Leads: Smriti Zubin Irani and Ronit Roy

Smriti Z Irani captured a million hearts and instantly shot to fame with her character Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhii Bahu Thi. She became an iconic daughter-in-law to all the mothers-in-law of the world.

Standing firm against all odds, Tulsi managed to keep the family together through all challenges of life. Tulsi had umpteen personal turmoils in her life and had to make many difficult and testing decisions.

Smriti shocked the nation with her decision to quit the serial that changed television history.

It was quite challenging for Ronit play Mihir Virani after Amar Upadhyay and Indra Kumar, because the show's audience couldn't relate to any other actors in the role. But, through his sincere and determined portryal of Tulsi's husband, Ronit won over the audience and earned a large number of fans.

Mihir Virani attained equal popularity as a son, husband, father and then grandfather; of course, his death brought about mass hysteria. The nation went into collective mourning, forcing producers to bring the character back.

Main lead: Saakshi Tanwar

Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii is the story of the Agarwal family and mainly revolves around the favourite bahu of the house, Parvati, played by Saakshi Tanwar.

Tanwar carved out a special niche for herself in the hearts of young and old alike through her portrayal of this extraordinary character.

She was a dutiful daughter, an ideal bahu, a perfect mother -- the complete homemaker who ensured the family was always harmonious!

This serial thrust her into the limelight.