Sayantani Ghosh on parental conflict's silent toll on children in Jagadhatri

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Sayantani Ghosh on parental conflict's silent toll on children in Jagadhatri

Synopsis

Sayantani Ghosh steps beyond the script to make a pointed argument: parental emotional conflict doesn't just fracture marriages — it quietly breaks children. Her character's storyline in 'Jagadhatri', centred on a specially-abled child caught between separated parents, has struck a nerve precisely because it puts the child's invisible suffering at the centre.

Key Takeaways

Sayantani Ghosh plays Maya Deshmukh in Zee TV 's 'Jagadhatri' , currently airing a storyline about parental separation and its impact on a child.
Her on-screen daughter Gunjan is a specially-abled child who can neither speak nor hear, making her emotional distress harder to detect or express.
Co-star Ajay Singh Chaudhary plays Sharad , Maya's estranged partner; their rift is partly rooted in Maya holding him responsible for Gunjan's condition.
Ghosh emphasised that 'emotional trauma experienced during childhood often stays with a person for life' and urged parents to be 'sensitive and responsible.' The storyline reflects a broader trend of Indian primetime TV addressing child mental health and family dysfunction.

Actress Sayantani Ghosh, who plays Maya Deshmukh in the Zee TV show 'Jagadhatri', has spoken candidly about how unresolved parental conflicts can leave lasting emotional scars on children — drawing directly from her character's ongoing storyline on the show.

The Storyline Striking a Chord

The current track of 'Jagadhatri' follows Maya (played by Sayantani Ghosh) and Sharad (played by Ajay Singh Chaudhary), a couple living separately though not officially divorced. Their emotional estrangement is quietly devastating their daughter Gunjan, a specially-abled child who is neither able to speak nor hear, making it harder still for her to articulate the pain she carries.

The narrative adds another layer of complexity: Maya partly holds Sharad responsible for Gunjan's condition, a resentment that deepens the rift between them. Meanwhile, Gunjan silently yearns for both parents — missing her father when with her mother, and longing for her mother's warmth when with her father.

What Sayantani Ghosh Said

Reflecting on the storyline's real-world resonance, Sayantani Ghosh said, 'Separations and divorces do happen, and sometimes they are unavoidable too. But I strongly feel parents need to be extremely careful about how their personal chaos affects their children. Kids learn everything from what they see around them, and many times, unknowingly, we end up setting examples that leave a deep emotional impact on them. Emotional trauma experienced during childhood often stays with a person for life.'

She added, 'That is why parents must be sensitive and responsible while dealing with their differences. No child deserves to grow up in an environment filled with constant emotional distress and confusion. Childhood is such a delicate and beautiful phase, and every child deserves love, security, warmth, and happiness.'

Gunjan as a Mirror for Silent Suffering

Ghosh further elaborated on what Gunjan's character represents beyond the plot. 'Maya and Sharad may be living separately, but somewhere their emotional distance is deeply affecting Gunjan. She is a very sensitive child and, being special, she cannot always express what she feels,' she said.

'That emotional confusion silently affects a child. Gunjan's character beautifully reflects how children quietly absorb every emotion happening around them, even when they are unable to express it openly. Kids like her are even more emotionally vulnerable because they feel everything deeply but often struggle to communicate it. It becomes extremely important for parents to ensure that their child does not suffer emotionally because of their personal issues,' she added.

Why This Narrative Matters

Child psychologists have long noted that parental conflict — even when not directed at children — can contribute to anxiety, emotional withdrawal, and developmental challenges in young ones. Specially-abled children, who may have limited verbal outlets, are considered particularly vulnerable to ambient emotional stress. The 'Jagadhatri' storyline taps into this rarely addressed dimension of family dysfunction on Indian primetime television.

This comes amid a broader trend of Indian TV dramas incorporating socially relevant themes around mental health and child welfare, signalling a gradual shift in how mainstream entertainment engages with sensitive family issues. 'Jagadhatri' continues to air on Zee TV.

Point of View

And Sayantani Ghosh's off-screen articulation gives it added weight. The choice to make Gunjan specially-abled is narratively deliberate: it amplifies the invisibility of a child's suffering when she lacks the tools to verbalise it. What mainstream coverage misses is that this storyline doubles as a commentary on how disability intersects with domestic emotional neglect — a conversation Indian TV has largely avoided. Whether the show follows through with nuance or retreats to melodrama will determine if this is a genuine social statement or a ratings play.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current storyline in Jagadhatri on Zee TV?
The current track in 'Jagadhatri' follows Maya (Sayantani Ghosh) and Sharad (Ajay Singh Chaudhary), a couple living separately, and the emotional impact their estrangement has on their specially-abled daughter Gunjan. Gunjan can neither speak nor hear, making her emotional distress especially difficult to express or detect.
What did Sayantani Ghosh say about parental conflict affecting children?
Sayantani Ghosh said that while separations are sometimes unavoidable, parents must be 'extremely careful' about how their personal conflicts affect children. She stressed that 'emotional trauma experienced during childhood often stays with a person for life' and that every child deserves 'love, security, warmth, and happiness.'
Who plays Sharad in Jagadhatri?
Sharad is played by actor Ajay Singh Chaudhary. His character is estranged from Maya, and part of their conflict stems from Maya holding him responsible for their daughter Gunjan's condition.
Why is Gunjan's character significant in the Jagadhatri storyline?
Gunjan is a specially-abled child who cannot speak or hear, which means she is unable to openly express the emotional pain caused by her parents' separation. According to Sayantani Ghosh, her character illustrates how children 'quietly absorb every emotion happening around them' even when they cannot communicate it.
Where does Jagadhatri air?
'Jagadhatri' airs on Zee TV.
Nation Press
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