Rohit Chandel, Rishita Kothari, Shehzada Dhami: Replacements That Rocked and Shocked Indian Television

When audiences invest time in television soaps, it’s usually because they love a certain actor’s performance or their chemistry with central characters. Over the years, there have been several cases where fans have not taken kindly to replacements. So, when actor Rohit Chandel was detained recently by the police in an alleged POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case and was replaced by Krishna Kaul, it got extreme reactions. The development has come at a time when his chemistry with Madirakshi Mundle in “Sairaab” had begun to click with viewers within weeks of the show going on air. This happens quite rarely on television.

Here’s a look at other replacements that stirred fan emotions on social media…

Rishita Kothari in ‘Seher - Hone Ko Hai’ 
REPLACED BY: Bhavika Sharma
WHEN: June 2026
When news began doing the rounds that Rishita Kothari, who plays the title role in the romantic drama, was on her way out, fans were up in arms. Bhavika Sharma has now been cast as Seher. It is believed that constant rifts between Kothari and leading man Parth Samthaan led to things souring on sets. It is alleged that negative trolling of the actor by actress’s beau Mridul Meena caused the bad blood. He later denied the same. 

Sanchita Ugale in ‘Saajan Ghar’ 
REPLACED BY: Rupali Thapa
WHEN: June 2026
Actress Sanchita Ugale had exited “Saajan Ghar” due to health-related issues. She died by suicide on June 14, 2026. When actress Rupali Thapa came in as her replacement, she faced intense trolling from fans of the actress. In a note, Ugale had alleged that her co-star Ujjwal Sharma mentally harassed her. 

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Manasi Salvi in ‘Mahadev And Sons’ 
REPLACED BY: NA; character on break
WHEN: May 2026
Manasi Salvi made an exit from Saurabh Tiwari’s show under contentious circumstances. The producer said she had issues with her working hours being reduced, which he had promised he would address. He slammed her for not honoring the contract and serving the notice period, which is of six months. After her exit, the character of Bhanu Bajpai is on a break. Tiwari confirmed he will audition for a new face when he needs to bring Bhanu back on the show. 

Nausheen Ali Sardar in ‘Vasudha’
REPLACED BY: Parineeta Borthakur
WHEN: July 2025
Actress Nausheen Ali Sardar was cast in the role of the domineering matriarch Chandrika Singh Chauhan in "Vasudha". After a few months, she had creative differences with the makers and left the show. Actress Parineeta Borthakur (of “Swaragini” fame) now essays the character. 

Vaibhavi Hankare in ‘Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin’ 
REPLACED BY: Bhavika Sharma
WHEN: 2025
One of 2025’s most dramatic replacements. Shakti Arora and Bhavika Sharma were shown as a couple in “Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein.” Not too long after, the makers killed off Arora’s character, Ishaan Bhosale. Then, the daily soap took a leap where Param Singh and Vaibhavi Hankare were shown as a couple. Due to low ratings, the makers brought back Bhavika Sharma as a police inspector, who also is a single mother. Fans criticized Sharma for this move as well as the makers who unfairly replaced Hankare. 
 

Shehzada Dhami in ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’
REPLACED BY: Rohit Purohit
WHEN: 2024
One of the most discussed exits was of Shehzada Dhami from “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.” The reasons given were his starry tantrums and general unprofessionalism on the sets. Later on, he also slammed the makers for paying him his dues that he claimed amounted to ₹30 lakh. Actor Rohit Purohit was brought as his replacement. 

Paras Kalnawat in ‘Anupamaa’ 
REPLACED BY: Sagar Parekh
WHEN: August 2022
Paras Kalnawat had earned a place in the hearts of viewers in “Anupamaa” as Samar Shah. His bond with Rupali Ganguly aka Anupama was one of the highlights of the show. He was replaced overnight by Sagar Parekh after he took up “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.” Kalnawat had initially slammed reports of his replacement as a ‘PR tactic,’ saying the sets of the show were a toxic place to work. He also said that only Sudhanshu Pandey, Madalsa Sharma and Nidhi Shah reached out to him.