When it launched in 2008, Balika Vadhu successfully replaced the K-serials which largely followed the same formula.
As the serial set in rural Rajasthan that told the story of Anandi, a child bride became popular, two actors who played the character Anandi also became household names.
Avika Gor who played the child Anandi and Pratyusha Banerjee who played Anandi as an adult became telly stars in no time.
On Friday, telly watchers across the country were in for a shock as news trickled in that Prayusha Banerjee had been found dead. The 24-year-old actor was found hanging and later declared dead.
While speaking to The News Minute, Avika Gor said that she is still shocked.
"I was very proud of her, January was the last time I met her in a friend's party. I din't expect this from her, I am still in a state of shock. Every moment was memorable with her specially when we both sung the title track of 'Balika Vadhu' in our interviews together.
We both met many times, shot together but her death is unbelievable. I don't know what kind of depression she was going through. I have not seen this happening to me or anyone around me. I have always seen her happy and enjoying life. Suicide is not a solution to any kind of situation."
She spoke to India Today’s Shiv Aroor and told him that the news was absolutely unbelievable.
“I would just say that it is absolutely unbelievable. It is still not sinking in. I had known her for a long time. I first thought it was an April Fool’s day joke and thought what a bad joke it is. We shot together for Sasural Simar Ka. I was in touch with her, but not all the time. But we used to keep in touch.
I had met her at a party more than a month ago; there was no indication that she was depressed. I have never seen her sad. Whenever we were in shoot she was always happy. I don’t know her personal life much and not about her relationships with other people. But my relationship with her was very good. This is too shocking.”