Manthrikam (Asianet) Serial Actress

Manthrikam is a Malayalam drama TV serial from Asianet. The channel is back with a realistic family story. The lead cast includes Pallavi Gupta, Monalisa etc. This is the Malayalam dubbed version of the Nazar serial from Star Plus.

The serial start date is 9 August 2021. It will be available on the (Asianet) channel and the Hotstar website to watch online. Its telecast time is Monday to Friday at 10.30 PM.

Manthrikam Cast (Asianet)

• Monalisa
• Resham Prashant
• Pallavi Gupta
• Sreejita De
• Niyati Fatnani
• Harsh Rajput
• Ritu Chaudhary
• Amit Kaushik
• Ashita Dhawan
• Kapil Soni
• Jatin Bhardwaj

Serial Start Date

9 August 2021

Watch Manthrikam Serial Online on Hotstar

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The Double Vision: Unmasking the Actresses of ‘Manthrikam’ (The Asianet Supernatural Hit)

In the landscape of Malayalam television, few supernatural thrillers have captivated audiences with the sheer spectacle and mystique of Manthrikam (മാന്ത്രികം). Airing on Asianet, this series brought a high-budget, special-effects-driven narrative of witches, protectors, and ancient curses into Kerala’s living rooms. However, the true story of ‘Manthrikam’ begins in the Hindi television industry, as the Asianet show is the Malayalam dubbed version of the wildly popular supernatural drama ‘Nazar’ on Star Plus.

This unique context means the “Manthrikam (Asianet) Serial Actresses” are not Malayalam-native stars, but rather the acclaimed and powerhouse performers of Hindi television who lent their dramatic flair to the original roles, becoming household names across Kerala through their dubbed performances.

This deep dive unmasks the talented actresses behind the compelling characters of ‘Manthrikam,’ exploring their extensive careers, signature roles, and how a Hindi serial achieved monumental success on a Malayalam General Entertainment Channel (GEC).

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The Tale of Two Worlds: Manthrikam’s Original Identity

Manthrikam premiered on Asianet in 2021, instantly grabbing attention with its glossy production value, intricate costume design, and a narrative centered on the conflict between a daayan (a powerful, centuries-old witch) and a family marked by the supernatural.

The central conflict revolved around the family of a daayan named Mohana Rathod and her son, Ansh, who inherits a portion of her powers. The title, Manthrikam, which translates to ‘Magic’ or ‘Sorcery’ in Malayalam, perfectly captured the show’s dark, mystical theme, making the Hindi-speaking cast feel organic to the regional supernatural genre through powerful Malayalam dubbing. The actresses who led this spectacle are a mix of established veterans and rising stars, whose compelling portrayals transcended the language barrier.

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The Leading Ladies: The Pillars of Manthrikam

The success of a supernatural show hinges on its central figures—the menacing villain and the righteous hero. In Manthrikam, the dramatic tension was expertly maintained by two contrasting actresses: Monalisa as the immortal witch and Niyati Fatnani as the divine protector.

1. Monalisa (Antara Biswas): The Immortal ‘Mohana Rathod’

Role in Manthrikam: Mohana Rathod (The Daayan / Witch)

Monalisa, whose birth name is Antara Biswas, embodied the most memorable and complex character in the series: Mohana Rathod. She played the principal antagonist, a 251-year-old Daayan—a seductive, yet terrifying, witch who feeds on the life-force of humans to maintain her youth and power.

Mohana’s character was pivotal to the plot of Manthrikam, as her dark powers and desperate attempts to control her own son, Ansh, drove the majority of the story. Monalisa’s performance, blending glamorous style with chilling malice, was widely praised and became synonymous with the show’s success in both Hindi and its dubbed versions.

Beyond the ‘Daayan’ Role: A Star’s Journey

Monalisa’s path to television stardom is long and varied:

• Bhojpuri Cinema Queen: Before her stint in Hindi television, Monalisa was already one of the highest-paid and most prominent actresses in the Bhojpuri film industry, where she has starred in over 125 films.
• Reality TV Exposure: She gained massive national recognition as a contestant on the popular Hindi reality show Bigg Boss 10 in 2016. It was on this show that she married her long-time boyfriend, Vikrant Singh Rajpoot, on national television.
• Hindi Television Stardom: Nazar provided her first major negative lead role in a mainstream Hindi serial. Post-Nazar, she continued her dominance in the supernatural and mythology genres with lead roles like Iravati Verma in Namak Issk Ka and Yamini Raichand in Bekaboo.

Monalisa’s portrayal as Mohana was a testament to her versatility, showing the audience that she could convincingly carry a supernatural thriller with an elaborate, heavily-costumed, and demanding role.

2. Niyati Fatnani: The Divine ‘Piya Sharma Rathod’

Role in Manthrikam: Piya Sharma Rathod (The Daivik / Divine Protector)

Opposite Monalisa’s evil Mohana was Niyati Fatnani as the pure-hearted protagonist, Piya Sharma Rathod. Niyati’s character, a Daivik (one endowed with divine powers), was destined to counter Mohana’s evil and protect her son, Ansh (who was half-human, half-Daayan).

Piya’s journey from a young woman unaware of her destiny to a powerful force against the dark arts formed the backbone of the series’ heroic arc. Her chemistry with the male lead, Harsh Rajput (who played Ansh), and her expressive acting cemented her as a beloved figure among the Malayali audience who followed Manthrikam.

A Career Rooted in Dance and Television

Niyati Fatnani is a dynamic performer with a strong foundation in dance:

• Trained Kathak Dancer: Niyati is a professionally trained Kathak dancer, a skill that often played into her on-screen grace and ability to perform intricate action sequences.
• Television Debut: She began her acting career in 2016 with the youth show D4 – Get Up and Dance, where her dancing prowess was a major highlight.
• Nazar—The Turning Point: Her role as Piya in Nazar (Manthrikam) proved to be a significant turning point, bringing her widespread fame and recognition across the country, including through the dubbed Malayalam version.
• Recent Projects: Her post-Nazar work includes the lead role of Ginni Garewal Singh in the series Channa Mereya and a role in the Disney+ Hotstar series Dear Ishq. In 2024, she also embraced the world of reality adventure by participating in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 14.

Niyati’s balanced portrayal of strength and vulnerability made her the perfect foil to the formidable Mohana.

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The Powerful Supporting Actresses

While Monalisa and Niyati formed the central dichotomy, the world of Manthrikam was enriched by a stellar ensemble of supporting actresses, many of whom are well-established figures in the Hindi television industry.

3. Sreejita De: The Charming Antagonist, ‘Dilruba’

Role in Manthrikam: Dilruba (The Chudail / Lesser Witch)

Sreejita De played the popular character Dilruba, a Chudail (a supernatural being often depicted as a lesser witch). Her character brought new supernatural conflicts and occasional comic relief to the narrative. Sreejita’s striking looks and dedicated performance made Dilruba a fan favorite.

Interestingly, the actress reportedly had to wear heavy, approximately 10 kg of elaborate jewellery every day for her character’s look as the chudail, highlighting the commitment of the cast to the show’s grand supernatural aesthetic.

Career Highlights: From Uttaran to Bigg Boss

Sreejita De is a celebrated actress known for significant roles:

• Breakout Role: She gained immense popularity for her portrayal of Mukta Rathore in the long-running Colors TV serial Uttaran.
• Diverse Portfolio: Her career spans many popular shows, including her debut in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Tum Hi Ho Bandhu Sakha Tumhi, and Piya Rangrezz.
• Reality TV: Like Monalisa, Sreejita De also participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 16 in 2022-2023, further increasing her national profile.

4. Sonyaa Ayodhya: The Shape-Shifting ‘Ruby Rathod’

Role in Manthrikam: Ruby Rathod, Ekayan, and Chalayan (Various Daayan forms)

Manthrikam was a significant launchpad for Sonyaa Ayodhya. She was initially seen as Ruby Rathod, a Daayan who enters the family with the intention of marrying the male protagonist.

Sonyaa’s versatility allowed her to play a variety of supernatural avatars within the show, including Ekayan and Chalayan. Her debut performance in this complex role, particularly in the antagonist and supernatural space, garnered attention, leading her to secure other key roles in shows like the popular Kasautii Zindagii Kay shortly after.

Other Key Actresses

The serial also featured other veteran actresses who played crucial roles in the main family drama and the fight against the evil forces:

• Smita Bansal: Played Divya Sharma, a friend to the family who possesses Daivik powers to combat Mohana, serving as a guiding force for the younger generation.
• Ashita Dhawan Gulabani: Played Chaitali Rathod, a part of the extended Rathod family. Her character often brought moments of lightheartedness and melodrama to the intense supernatural story.
• Ritu Chaudhary: Another prominent member of the Rathod family in a supporting role.

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The Legacy of Manthrikam (Nazar)

The success of Manthrikam on Asianet is a fascinating case study in how quality content, regardless of its original language, can resonate with a new regional audience when paired with effective localization (dubbing).

The actresses, led by Monalisa and Niyati Fatnani, managed to create characters that were both grand in their supernatural scale and grounded enough to connect emotionally with the viewers. The Malayalam-speaking audience embraced the dramatic arcs, the stunning visual effects, and the central battle between good and evil, transforming a Hindi serial’s cast into beloved and recognized faces on Kerala television.

The show proved that for the South Indian audience, a compelling performance and a powerful story can easily overshadow the language barrier, solidifying the ‘Manthrikam’ actresses’ status as pan-Indian television stars. Their journey from the sets of a Hindi supernatural show to the drawing rooms of Kerala is a unique chapter in Indian television history.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs about Manthrikam (Asianet) Serial Actresses

Q1: Who is the main actress who played the ‘Daayan’ in Manthrikam (Asianet Serial)?

The main actress who played the antagonist Mohana Rathod, the Daayan (witch), in the Manthrikam Asianet serial is Monalisa, whose real name is Antara Biswas.

Q2: Is Manthrikam a Malayalam original serial?

No, Manthrikam on Asianet is not a Malayalam original serial. It is the Malayalam-dubbed version of the highly successful Hindi supernatural show ‘Nazar,’ which originally aired on Star Plus.

Q3: What is the real name of the main heroine, ‘Piya,’ from Manthrikam?

The main actress who played the protagonist Piya Sharma Rathod (the Daivik or divine protector) in the original Hindi version of Manthrikam (‘Nazar’) is Niyati Fatnani.

Q4: Which actress from Manthrikam was also in the serial Uttaran?

The actress from Manthrikam who was also famous for her role in the serial Uttaran is Sreejita De. In Manthrikam (Nazar), she played the character Dilruba, a chudail.

Q5: Who are the most famous actresses from the Manthrikam (Nazar) cast?

The most famous actresses from the Manthrikam cast are:

• Monalisa (Antara Biswas): Who played the lead antagonist Mohana (Daayan).
• Niyati Fatnani: Who played the lead protagonist Piya (Daivik).
• Sreejita De: Who played Dilruba (Chudail).

Monalisa is also well-known for her work in Bhojpuri cinema and her participation in Bigg Boss 10.