Revisiting Ishqbaaz: The Daily Soap That Made Bromance Fashionable. Once upon a time in the glamorous world of Indian television, a show arrived that gave us three reasons to smile every evening – Shivaay, Omkara, and Rudra. Ishqbaaz wasn’t just a show; it was an era. Even today, revisiting it feels like opening that secret snack drawer you hid from your siblings – sweet, indulgent, and totally worth it.
The Oberoi Mansion – Where Rich People’s Problems Became Our Daily Entertainment
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to have a chandelier bigger than your entire living room, Ishqbaaz was your window to that life. Oberoi Mansion was less of a home and more of an architectural ego booster. Every pillar, every glass door, and every royal drape screamed, “We are so rich, even our tears are diamond-studded.”
And boy, did they cry! The show taught us that no matter how much money you have, life will still throw you kitchen politics, a long-lost villainous aunt, and kidnappings scheduled right between breakfast and lunch.
Shivaay Singh Oberoi – The OG SSO
Let’s talk about Shivaay Singh Oberoi aka SSO aka Billu ji. Played with stoic perfection by Nakuul Mehta, Shivaay’s character was a strange mix of arrogance, righteousness, and extreme loyalty. His dialogues often felt like a business merger pitch delivered with Shakespearean intensity. And yet, when he melted for Anika, our hearts melted with him. Admit it – we all wanted someone to say “Anikaaa” in that dramatic voice at least once in our lives.
Omkara – The Artist With Poetry in His Eyes
Then came Omkara, the man with flowing hair, philosophical angst, and deep metaphors about life, love, and betrayal. His art studio was bigger than most 2BHK flats in Mumbai, and yet he often found peace sitting on the mansion stairs, pondering about existential truths. If Shivaay was your typical alpha male, Omkara was the poetic cinnamon roll who could sculpt your heartbreak away.
Rudra – Protein Shakes and Puppy Eyes
Rudra was the perfect comic relief. His life revolved around gym workouts, protein shakes, and cute tantrums. But under all that muscle mass, Rudra had the softest heart. His bromance with Om and Shivaay was what made Ishqbaaz truly shine. Their group hugs could cure a bad day better than any therapist.
The Queens of Drama – Anika, Gauri, Bhavya
Of course, what’s an Ishqbaaz world without its fierce leading ladies? Anika’s tap water dialogues were iconic. Gauri brought rustic innocence, while Bhavya added disciplined grit. Each love story carried its own madness, with Shivaay-Anika’s fiery banter leading the charge.
The Villains Who Never Ran Out of Evil Ideas
No daily soap is complete without villains who have too much time on their hands. From Tia’s constant yoga-inspired plotting to Pinky’s tears that could flood Oberoi Mansion anytime, the show never lacked masala. And don’t even get us started on Svetlana – the lady had more comeback entries than any WWE superstar.
Why Rewatch Ishqbaaz?
Because Ishqbaaz wasn’t just about romance or drama – it was about family. The O Bros’ bond was aspirational. The dialogues were dramatic yet addictive. The set design made us dream big, while the background score made every ordinary moment feel like an epic climax.
Rewatching Ishqbaaz today feels like revisiting an old friendship. Sure, you may laugh at its over-the-top sequences now, but deep down, you’ll realise how much comfort it gave you during stressful days. It was dramatic, loud, filmy, and unapologetically extra – exactly how Indian daily soaps should be.
So, if you’re looking for something to binge this week, pour yourself a cup of chai, put your phone on silent, and let Ishqbaaz remind you why television was, and will always remain, an emotion.
