For the avid viewers of television shows, late 90s and early 2000 have been quite monotonous with the makers of television series showering similar kind of saas-bahu sagas.

Perhaps the first maker to try something different that time, Sunjoy Wadhwa, the producer of Balika Vadhu (Colors), decided to churn out a show based on the evil practice of child marriage. Once initiated by him, the daily soap went on to become a huge hit.

And as they say the rest is history.

Today, with the show shutting shop, it marks the end of an era, the period which started discussing about various social issues on small screen.

As the show is going off air today, we spoke to Sunjoy Waddhwa CMD, Sphereorigins, who said, “We take this opportunity to thank the channel for their immense support. We would also like to thank our viewers, because of whom we have achieved our milestone. It has been a great journey with many ups and downs, but the audience has persistently maintained its loyalty to ‘Balika Vadhu’ and I am grateful to them. There are a lot of pleasant memories, as the viewers and each member associated with the show have helped it to set a benchmark in the Indian television industry. An important factor of this show has been that it has made a positive impact in the life of many women and in turn has changed the mindset of many. We are extremely happy to have created this social change”.

The show has not only been special for the makers, but also for the actors. Balika Vadhu gifted the industry many talents including Avika Gor, Avinash Mukherjee, Shashank Vyas, Late Pratyusha Banerjee and many more.

Walking down the memory lane, Shashank aka Jagya quipped, “I have always mentioned that I got to learn many aspects of acting in Balika Vadhu. This show was a school of performing arts for me. This show was not only a mere serial for me, but I have worked for 5 years in Balika Vadhu and feel very fortunate about the fact that I was part of a cult show. Balika Vadhu has not given me only money, fame but also established me as an actor in the industry. First work and first love can never be forgotten"

Even for the veterans of the industry it proved to be one life changing experience.

Echoing a similar though Toral Rasputra aka Anandi shared, “Though Balika Vadhu was my fifth show as the lead, no other show have given me such exposure as this one did. This daily will always remain close to my heart and from the very first day till the end, every single day has been memorable for me.”

Another actor Ruslaan Mumtaz, who joined the show post leap, also mentioned that he feels blessed to be a part of the soap opera. “I wish my journey in Balika Vadhu would not have been so short in Balika Vadhu but I indeed feel blessed to be associated with the series.”

With a heavy heart as we bid adieu to this cult classic, we only hope that we witness many such bold shows in coming days.