In a television world often filled with glitzy dramas and picture-perfect protagonists, COLORS’ Mangal Lakshmi has made a lasting impact by being unapologetically real. The show has resonated deeply with audiences across India, standing out as a slice-of-life story packed with emotion, honesty, and resilience.
As it reaches the impressive milestone of 500 episodes, the series continues to touch hearts with its powerful storytelling and unfiltered truth.At the core of this journey is Mangal, a character brought to life with quiet strength and unwavering resolve by Deepika Singh. Mangal is a woman who multitasks like a boss, nurtures like a lioness, and never backs down, even when the world tries to bend her.
Her relatability and courage have clearly struck a chord with audiences, earning her the #7 spot on the Ormax Characters India Loves (OCIL) report for May 2025. In a world that often glorifies perfection, Mangal’s raw honesty stands tall, reminding viewers of the strength found in everyday struggles.But even as Mangal gains this recognition, her world is turned upside down.
After her mother Shanti suffers a heart attack, Mangal makes a tough decision, she agrees to marry Kapil, not out of love, but as a desperate measure to fund her mother’s treatment. Just when things seem to be stabilizing, her daughter Ishana reveals a chilling truth: Kapil raised his hand on her. In that one brutal moment, everything changes. What once seemed like a new beginning for Mangal now feels tainted by doubt.
With her engagement now on shaky ground, she’s faced with a painful question: Can a woman love herself enough to walk away from something that society labels as ‘security’?Speaking about the journey, Deepika Singh shares, “What a blessing it is to have Mangal Lakshmi hit the mark of 500 episodes! Mangal dares to ask the questions that make people uncomfortable in a world where quite a few injustices hide behind norms, and every decision is taken ‘for the good of the family.’ Why are women always expected to sacrifice? Who decides what’s respectable and what’s rebellious? Sometimes, the questions matter more than the answers because they break the silence so many of us were raised to keep.”She continues, “Mangal looks at the world with gentle eyes; it doesn’t matter what others say, she still responds with love.
When we focus on giving instead of receiving, and helping others rather than judging them, everything becomes more meaningful, and that’s what I believe Mangal truly is. No woman was ever handed empowerment on a silver platter, and Mangal is no different. She’s not the one who fades into the backdrop. She’s a decision-maker, a disruptor, a game-changer. From confrontations with elders to silent rebellions behind closed doors, she represents every woman who’s been told to adjust, to endure, to stay quiet. And every woman watching her knows exactly how that feels.”Deepika further adds, “She also serves as a powerful reminder of how important it is for women to be financially independent, because independence isn’t just emotional, it’s economic too. It doesn’t matter what your father does, what your husband does, or what others are doing for you, what matters is what you are doing for yourself.
That’s the kind of agency Mangal stands for. She doesn’t know it all and she is learning on the go. Her journey taps into urgent conversations about marriage, dignity, and choice. Many women have come up to me, saying, ‘This is my story.’ And through this show, I hope more women feel encouraged to write their own destinies on their own terms.”Watch ‘Mangal Lakshmi’ every Monday to Friday at 9:00 PM only on COLORS.
