By Anil Merani: It has been a little while since Zee TV Jamai No 1 (Abhishek Malik and Simaran Kaur) has been on air, so we decided to do some deep diving into what fans feel about this Studio LSD production.
The stan vibe for Jamai No. 1 is a mixed bag—there’s some love, some meh, and a bit of shade, especially around Simaran’s character. Fans seem to dig the show’s fresh, fast-paced energy and Neel’s (Abhishek) cheeky charm. SM posts often hype his scenes—like Neel outsmarting Kanchan or his playful banter with Riddhi—calling him the “real Jamai No. 1” and praising Abhishek’s charisma. One user even said, “Neel is carrying this show on his back, Abhishek is killing it!” The humor and family chaos are clicking for a lot of viewers, with some stans already ride-or-die for the Neel-Riddhi “Neddhi” ship, gushing over their slow-burn chemistry in moments like the Valentine’s Day dance episode from February.
But Simaran Riddhi? That’s where the chatter gets spicy. Some stans aren’t feeling her vibe. Her bossy, cold CEO persona—think ordering Neel around or her sharp exchanges with Kanchan—has folks split. A few X/ Redidit posts call her “too extra” or “unlikeable,” with one saying, “Riddhi’s antics are annoying, Simaran overacting hai.” Others feel her character’s too harsh to root for, especially early on when she’s all business and no heart. It’s not universal hate, though—some defend her, saying, “Riddhi’s growth is coming, give Simaran time!” Her scream-y, dramatic moments (like in the March 19 episode where she’s freaking out over her past) have gotten eye-rolls, but quieter scenes—like reassuring Neel about the saree fiasco—earned her a few “okay, she’s not that bad” nods.
The show itself has a decent following, but it’s not blowing up stans like a Yeh Rishta or Anupamaa. The 10:30 PM slot might be a factor—Bigg Boss 18 stole initial thunder—and the lack of huge promo pushes hasn’t helped. Still, there’s a loyal pocket of stans on X and Instagram who post edits and clips, mostly Team Neel, with Riddhi stans quieter. Simaran’s antics might be a slow burn for acceptance; fans seem to want more layers to her beyond the “stern boss” shtick.
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Alright, let’s dig deeper into why Simaran Kaur’s character Riddhi Chotwani in Jamai No. 1 might be getting less love from stans compared to, say, Abhishek Malik’s Neel or other elements of the show. Since you’re focused on her specifically, I’ve sifted through X posts, fan reactions, and the show’s dynamics as of April 1, 2025, to piece this together.
From what’s buzzing on X, Simaran’s Riddhi isn’t universally disliked, but she’s not sparking the same stan fervor as Neel. One big reason seems to be her character’s initial vibe—Riddhi starts off as a stern, no-nonsense CEO who’s anti-love, shaped by her mom Kanchan’s influence and a messy family past. Early episodes (like December 2024) show her throwing curveballs at Neel—offering him a job just to mess with him or clashing hard with Kanchan—which some fans found “too intense” or “mean-spirited.” An X post from mid-January called her “a control freak who needs to chill,” suggesting her bossy antics rubbed some viewers the wrong way. Stans often latch onto characters they can root for emotionally, and Riddhi’s cold, calculating edge might’ve made that tough at first.
Compare that to Neel—Abhishek Malik’s character is a witty, chaotic jamai who’s breaking traditions (like rocking a saree-dhoti combo) and winning hearts with his underdog charm. Fans on X are all over him, with posts like “Neel is the soul of this show” or “Abhishek’s energy is unmatched.” His playful, relatable moments—like the Valentine’s Day dance with Riddhi or outsmarting Kanchan—give stans more to cheer for. Riddhi, meanwhile, gets stuck in “villain lite” territory early on, and that’s a harder sell for stan love, especially when her softer side (like caring for Neel during a panic attack in February) takes longer to shine.
Simaran’s performance style might also play a role. She’s leaned into a natural, web-series-like delivery—less melodramatic than classic TV heroines—which she’s proud of (she’s said in interviews it’s “relatable” and “modern”). But some stans, used to over-the-top emotional hooks, seem to find it underwhelming. An X user in March griped, “Simaran’s too flat, where’s the drama?” Her subtle take on Riddhi’s layers—strength, vulnerability, playfulness (like the Holi chase)—doesn’t always pop in a loud, fast-paced show. Meanwhile, Abhishek’s flashier, expressive style grabs more eyeballs.
Storyline pacing could be another culprit. Jamai No. 1 moves quick—fans love that it’s not dragging—but Riddhi’s growth feels backloaded. Big moments, like her opening up about her past or bonding with Neel, hit later (think February-March episodes), while Neel’s crowd-pleasers come early and often. X chatter shows “Neddhi” shippers rooting for their chemistry, but solo Riddhi stans are quieter—maybe because her arc’s still unfolding, and Kanchan (Papia Sengupta) often steals the antagonist spotlight. One fan tweeted, “Riddhi’s just Kanchan’s puppet half the time,” hinting her agency gets overshadowed.
Fan bias might also factor in. Simaran’s got a solid rep from Tose Naina Milaike—her 2024 comedy hit with a “unique fan base”—but Jamai No. 1’s audience might not overlap perfectly. Abhishek’s Kumkum Bhagya fame gives him a bigger stan carryover, and his Neel fits the “fun jamai” trope Indian TV fans adore (think Jamai Raja vibes). Riddhi’s modern “boss girl” shtick is fresh but less cozy for traditional stans who crave instant warmth over slow-burn complexity.
That said, it’s not all doom—some X posts defend her: “Riddhi’s underrated, Simaran’s killing the slow reveal!” Her Holi episode (March 19) and action scenes (like the February 27 fight with Mugdha Chaphekar and Puja Banerjee) got praise, showing she’s gaining traction as Riddhi softens. But the stan love gap? It’s likely a mix of her prickly start, a subtler acting vibe, and Neel stealing the early spotlight.