Don’t get fooled by the title of the new Disney+ Hotstar original. Thukra ke Mera Pyaar does sound like a Bollywood-ish movie, but at its core it is a take on the caste politics of the Hindi Belt of India and how it affects people. Even though it is a surface-level critique, a conversation on how caste discrimination is still a norm in many places has to be a welcome change. Thukra ke Mera Pyaar is a love story of two college-going youngsters with their respective castes existing in the backdrop. As a result, there are several characters that influence their relationship, in a manner that might or might not lead to them breaking up.
Kuldeep Kumar
Dhaval Thakur portrays the role of Kuldeep Kumar, the oldest son to his parents. His father spends every penny he earns on his son’s education and makes sure he rises above the caste discrimination that is rampant in their town of Sitarpur. Kuldeep, just like his father, focuses on his only goal, which is to finish his studies in his college with a good grade and probably move to the city for a better-paying job. He is willing to distract himself, but life has other plans. He finds himself attracted to Shanvika, daughter of his mother’s employer. She belongs to a higher caste, and them being in love with each other is considered taboo by the people of the town. Kuldeep is aware that his and his family’s lives would be in danger if anyone from her family was notified about their attraction to each other. However, he cannot stop himself from being drawn towards her thanks to her aggressive approach towards him.
Shanvika Chauhan
Sanchita Basu portrays the role of Shanvika Chauhan, the only daughter of Manohar Chauhan, a young woman who is known to be boisterous and bold. Her father is a powerful and influential figure, and that was the reason why everyone chose to bow to her antics. She goes after Kuldeep Kumar, claiming to have fallen in love with him even though he resisted her moves. Sanchita goes out of her way to proclaim her love for him, and Kuldeep gives in to his feelings for her. Sanchita, who comes from an upper caste community, is not worried about the repercussions of her actions and follows her instincts. Shanvika, unlike Kuldeep, has no pressure to top the examinations or gain a top-tier job, and that could be because everything in town goes down as per her father’s whims. There’s no problem too big for her, thanks to her father and his loyal henchmen.
Naveen
Varun Tamta portrays the role of Naveen Bhatnagar, who is Kuldeep’s frenemy in college. Naveen is one of the first people to suspect there might be love brewing between Shanvika and Kuldeep. He is also inquisitive to know why she bought the young man a new cycle. Since Naveen is also from an upper caste family, he feels he is also entitled to the things that Kuldeep receives as gifts. Since Kuldeep and Naveen fought over the bicycle and Shanvika came to her beau’s rescue, the frenemy took it upon himself to find out if they are in a relationship or not. He wants to sow the seeds of chaos by harming Kuldeep, as the latter will be on the receiving end of the violence if Shanvika’s family ever comes to know of this relationship.
Manohar Chauhan
Veteran actor Govind Pandey portrays the role of Shanvika’s father, Manohar Chauhan. He is one of the most powerful and influential people who runs the town solely on the basis of his caste. There is a caste supremacy angle here, and Manohar and his family take full advantage of that as there is no one opposing them. Even a state minister is not spoken to with dignity by Chauhan and his henchmen, proving how vehemently he and his family believe they are a superior community. Manohar Chauhan has also mollycoddled his daughter to believe she runs the world and that people would consent to her demands. He is not yet ready to believe his daughter would cross the line and fall in love with someone who is from another caste.
Pushkar Chauhan
Puneet Singh in Thukra ke Mera Pyaar portrays the role of Shanvika’s uncle. He is Manohar Chauhan’s younger brother, who is known to be volatile, as a result, Manohar goes out of his way to teach him a lesson and help him control his anger. Pushkar is known to be obscene and make moves at women, and that has been recorded by many in the town, including Shanvika. Pushkar, just like the other men working for Manohar, is a staunch believer in them being from a superior community and that they have the right to harass others.
Neha
Shikha Chauhan, as Neha in Thukra ke Mera Pyaar, is Shanvika’s best friend. She is the only person who gives Shanvika a reality check when it comes to life and love. Neha is also quick to deduce Shanvika is in love with Kuldeep. She warned her that this love with a man from another caste could turn into a problem. She also reminds her that she and Kuldeep will have to walk on eggshells to get her family to agree to the relationship. Shanvika needs someone like Neha by her side, someone who is honest with her about everything right from the start of her feelings for Kuldeep.
