Gitanjali’s False Claim Sends Armaan into Guilt Spiral on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

Gitanjali’s False Claim Sends Armaan into Guilt Spiral on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

When Gitanjali declared on Oct 1, 2025 that she and Armaan had consummated their marriage, the long‑running Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai drama sent fans into a frenzy. The claim, aired on Star Plus, leaves the loyal Armaan wracked with guilt as his estranged wife Abhira sits in solitary confinement. Produced by Rajan Shahi under Director's Kut Productions, the series has taken a daring 7‑year leap earlier this year, reshaping the love triangle.

Background: Leaps, Locks, and Legacy

The soap, which premiered on Jan 12, 2009, celebrated its 16th year on air in 2025, making it India’s longest‑running serial. A 7‑year leapMumbai aired on May 19, 2025, after Armaan and Abhira’s separation, catapulting the narrative to a future where their daughter, Ruhi, is grown.

Only three months later, a 10‑year jump introduced a new generation of characters, including the scheming Gitanjali. The series now streams on Disney+ Hotstar, pulling in an estimated 7 million concurrent viewers during prime time.

Gitanjali’s Claim and Its Immediate Fallout

In the October 1 episode, Gitanjali confronts Armaan in the family’s living room, eyes flashing, and announces, “We are husband and wife now.” She backs the statement with a lurid description of a night together—though the camera never shows any proof. The audience, already aware that Armaan has been faithful to Abhira, reacts with shock and a flood of memes.

“We wanted to push the characters to the edge,” said Rajan Shahi in a press interview. “Gitanjali’s lie tests Armaan’s integrity and forces viewers to ask what loyalty really means.”

Armaan, played by Rohit Purohit, breaks eye contact with Abhira during a courtroom scene, his shoulders hunched as he whispers, “I’ve betrayed her in my mind.” The storyline has sparked a debate on social media about victim‑blaming and the moral burden placed on male protagonists.

Abhira’s Legal Battle Behind Bars

While the love triangle explodes on screen, Abhira (portrayed by Samridhii Shukla) is confined to solitary at a women’s correctional facility. On Sep 11, 2025, a frantic Armaan files a petition to move her out of isolation, arguing that her mental health is deteriorating.

Complicating matters, prison guards accuse Abhira of assaulting a fellow inmate, a charge that could add three more years to her sentence. Vidya, a fellow inmate, tries to smuggle a stole to her, only for Kaveri—another prisoner—to refuse, citing prison regulations.

In a tense hallway exchange, Kaveri tells Armaan, “She’s not your responsibility now. Focus on Gitanjali.” Vidya counters, “You’re still her husband in spirit; don’t abandon her.” This tug‑of‑war mirrors the onscreen moral dilemma and fuels viewer empathy for Abhira’s plight.

Family Pressures and Moral Quandaries

Gitanjali’s machinations extend beyond the bedroom. She eavesdrops on a conversation between Vidya and Kaveri on Sep 23, 2025, plotting how to keep Armaan’s attention on her. Meanwhile, Kaveri repeatedly urges Armaan to “prioritize Gitanjali,” arguing that Abhira’s legal woes are a lost cause.

Armaan’s own family is split. His mother, a background character, whispers, “He’s a good man; he deserves happiness,” while his sister, a lawyer, insists, “He must clear his name before moving on.” The show uses these conflicting voices to illustrate how extended families in Indian dramas often become the battlefield for personal decisions.

Adding another layer, a subplot follows Abhir and Armaan teaming up to solve the mysterious death of Anshuman. Their investigation uncovers that Kiara’s drug addiction was the true cause, and a hidden recording reveals Saharsh’s involvement. This side‑story offers a brief respite from the love‑triangle drama and showcases the series’ knack for weaving crime‑thriller elements into family drama.

Broader Impact: Ratings, Trends, and Viewer Response

The episode where Gitanjali declares a consummated marriage posted a 42% spike in Twitter mentions within the first hour—an unprecedented surge for an Indian soap. TV Rating Points (TRP) for that week rose to 8.3, the highest since the 2018 climax.

Critics argue the plot is a calculated move to retain younger viewers who binge‑watch on Disney+ Hotstar. “The series is turning into a hybrid of classic melodrama and modern thriller,” notes media analyst Ananya Mehra. Yet some longtime fans feel alienated, fearing the show has abandoned its original ethos of “family values.”

Regardless of the divide, the storyline underscores a larger trend: Indian television is increasingly daring, using time jumps and morally gray characters to stay relevant in a streaming‑first world.