Ishtam Mathram is a Malayalam television drama that began airing on Asianet on 26 August 2024, running Monday through Saturday at 8:00 PM. It is also available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. The serial is a remake of the popular Hindi soap Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. The storyline focuses on complex family relationships, love, longing, and forgiveness.

Directed by Mohan Kupleri and produced under the banner Souparnnika Creations by Shobhana Umadharan, Ishtam Mathram stars Rayjan Rajan as Mahesh and Mridula Vijay as Ishitha.

Plot Premise

Ishitha is a paediatrician who deeply cares for her patients and holds a loving heart. Although she is unable to have a child herself, she forms a maternal bond with Chippy, a young girl in her neighborhood. Chippy is Mahesh’s daughter, and Mahesh, struggling with past trauma, has difficulty expressing affection toward his daughter. As Ishitha and Mahesh’s lives intertwine more deeply, Chippy becomes the emotional linchpin trying to unite them.

Main Cast & Characters

Here are some of the primary actors and actresses in Ishtam Mathram:

Rayjan Rajan as Mahesh – the male lead who quietly loves his daughter but keeps his emotions suppressed.

Talking about the two leads: Mridula Vijay plays the role of Ishitha. Through her kindness and compassion, she touches the lives of Mahesh and Chippy in a big way.

Supports Cast & Crew

The show features a big supporting cast filling important subplots and emotional weight:

Aswathy Pillai
Lekshmi Prasad
Devi Chandana
Ann Maria
Manju Satheesh
Dua Parveen (child artist)
Sajna Noor
Kalabhavan Nandhana
Manu Varma
Mohan Kupleri (also director)
Priyadarshini Menon
Daveed John
Child Artist Anirudh Krishna, etc.

Behind the scenes, Mohan Kupleri leads as director; Shobhana Umadharan is the producer; the screenplay and dialogues are adapted to the Malayalam context; the production house is Souparnnika Creations.

Unique Features & Reception

Ishtam Mathram taps into themes of parenthood, emotional neglect, and the longing for familial bonds, especially through the dynamic between Mahesh, Ishitha, and Chippy.

The audiences have appreciated that, though a remake, the emotions are well localized in the Kerala milieu, focusing on kinship, social expectations, and individual healing.

It has rapidly soared up the viewership ratings soon after the premiere, showing an attraction for such family drama serials. Digit Binge states that since its release, it ranks among the top romance/drama serials in Malayalam TV.

Why It Stands Out

Ishtam Mathram stands out because of a strong female protagonist, emotional appeal, and good performances from the rest of the cast, especially Chippy and Anirudh Krishna, whose childlike innocence brings forth a deep emotional response. The show gets the added advantage of strong direction, crisp scripting, and portrayal of melodrama with a good dose of reality.