Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan


KumkumEk Pyara Sa Bandhan is an Indian television series that aired on Star Plus from 15 July 2002 to 13 March 2009 in the afternoon slot. Hussain Kuwajerwala and Juhi Parmar played the lead roles Sumit and Kumkum. It was produced under the company BAG films.

Plot Summary

The soap opera tells the tale of the Wadhwa family and its daughter-in-law, Kumkum. She is happily married to Jatin. However, he dies of a brain tumor while she is expecting their first child. The Wadhwas decide to get their young daughter-in-law remarried and find an eligible young man named Vishal. However, when obstacles arise leading and the marriage is called off on the last day, Jatin's younger brother Sumit impulsively marries Kumkum in order to save her from societal disgrace.
Sumit is plagued by guilt for marrying Kumkum against her will,but She eventually falls in deep love with him while trying to expose Renuka.The crux of the story evolves as a blossoming romance between Sumit and Kumkum leads them to realise that they are soulmates and how Kumkum being the ideal daughter-in-law of the Wadhwa family protects Sumit's family despite the adverse circumstances facing them. Manik creates havoc in their lives, but Kumkum exposes his fake identity and unites with Sumit. Kumkum gives birth to Sharman and Aashka.

20 Years Later

Sumit and Kumkum's story continues with their grown-up kids Dhruv, Sharman and Aashka and Kumkum's role of establishing harmony in the Wadhwa family. Dhruv's wife Antara plans an elaborate ruse to usurp the Wadhwa property and house to herself, but her plans are foiled after Sumit and Kumkum unveil her truth to Dhruv. Sharman who is in deep love with Neeti gets engaged to her, but when Dhruv refuses to accept Siya on the day of the wedding owing to his feelings for Antara, Sharman impulsively marries Siya. Siya is disappointed and vents her frustration at the Wadhwa family, but she eventually forgives Sharman and confesses her love for him and Sumit-Kumkum are finally happy to see the Wadhwa family happily settled. Unfortunately both Kumkum and Sumit die before they complete a ritual that would enable them to be soulmates by Pulkit who conspires to kill Sumit after trailing Kumkum secretly for several days. The shot misses Sumit, but Kumkum is shot dead and Sumit punishes Pulkit but still kills himself, unable to bear the separation.

20 Years Later, Sumit & Kumkum are Reincarnated

Sumit and Kumkum are reborn as prophesied again without any memory of their past life. In the new life Sumit and Kumkum initially hate each other, but fall in deep love all over again owing to unusual circumstances, prompting them to be a false husband and wife in front of their family members. When they finally realise their love for each other, they are separated due to a misunderstanding between the Raichand and Mishra families and later by a series of new obstacles but eventually reunite in the end. Sumit marries Kumkum and Harshwardhan and Rajeshwari Wadhwa accompany them to the sacred pilgrimage site where their lives ended in the previous birth. The show ends with memories of the idealistic couple who demonstrated that love finds a way back and is undying and immortal. Sumit and Kumkum complete the sacred ritual at this place, finally uniting together forever.

Cast

Main

After 780 episodes, on 10 April 2006, the storyline of the series took a leap of 20 years. Then it took another leap of 20 years in 2008 where the leads were shown reincarnated with a new family.
On February 2009, the channel informed the production house to terminate the series by 13 March 2009. As per the channel's instructions the series ended on that day.

Reception

It received the highest ratings in the afternoon slot and is regarded as one of the longest ran Indian soap during afternoons.
After a time change from 3:30 pm to 1:00pm in November 2002, it started receiving ratings ranging 6 to 7 TVR in March 2003, becoming the most viewed afternoon show, overcoming the other highest rated afternoon shows like Bhabhi and Shagun. On 25 March 2004, it received the highest ever afternoon rating of 13.12 TVR, overtaking some prime time soaps.

Accolades