Can Anchal Sahu’s Dual Role as Mother and Daughter Save Parineetii or Spark Viewer Backlash?

 Will Anchal Sahu's portrayal of both Parineet Kakkar Bajwa and her daughter, Preet Bajwa, in "Parineetii" following its June 2025, 20-year leap turn off viewers? Colors TV is reportedly pressuring Balaji Telefilms to boost ratings or face cancellation. The stakes are high, especially with the introduction of new leads Pratiksha Honmukhe and Paras Kalnawat—both of whom were previously removed from Rajan Shahi's shows. Could Anchal's dual role, a bold move to maintain the show's appeal, backfire and create challenges for the series?

In Indian television, actors like Hina Khan ("Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai") and Devoleena Bhattacharjee ("Saath Nibhaana Saathiya") often portray multiple generations after a leap, a convention that audiences typically embrace if the roles are distinct and the actors are popular. Anchal, who has been a lead since "Parineetii" debuted in 2022, boasts 3.1 million Instagram followers as of 2023 and has received acclaim for her versatility, which was evident in "Barrister Babu." Her remark in 2023, “I don’t mind… It is the character that is growing,” demonstrates her comfort with aging roles.

There have been no reports of fan backlash against her dual role, and a June 2025 interview with TellyMasala highlighted a positive reception. The channel's alleged “shape up or ship out” warning suggests scrutiny over ratings, but there is no evidence linking these concerns to Anchal's performance. Potential viewer turn-offs, such as confusion between Parineet and Preet, are likely to be minimized by distinct styling choices (e.g., different makeup for Parineet) and Anchal’s acting talent.

Indian audiences value emotional storytelling, and Anchal's strong fan base ensures continued engagement. Any ratings issues are more likely rooted in the leap’s narrative or the integration of Pratiksha and Paras, rather than her dual role. Co-star Yashu Dhiman praised Anchal in 2025, calling her “supportive,” which reinforces her positive standing. For Malaysia’s Indian diaspora, which makes up 6.7% of the population, her family-centric roles are likely to resonate well.