Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (transl. There is no one like Jassi) is an Indian soap opera which aired on Sony TV from 1 September 2003 to 4 May 2006. The series was an adaptation of the Colombian drama Yo soy Betty, la fea.
Contents
Plot
Based largely on the show, Yo soy Betty, la fea, the show follows the life of Jasmeet Walia known as Jassi (Mona Singh) who is a plain-looking young woman from a middle-class family in Mumbai. Jassi is a sincere worker and has been working to support her family. She is naive but intelligent. She has always been supported and encouraged by her father, grandmother (Bebe), and her close friend Nandu (Gaurav Gera) but she has faced rejection largely from society simply because of her looks. Jassi somehow lands her dream job at Gulmohur, a big fashion empire. She is appointed as the secretary to Armaan Suri (Apurva Agnihotri) and after a rough start soon becomes indispensable at work. She falls in love with Armaan but keeps her feelings to herself.
The show follows how Jassi becomes successful at Gulmohur but must face difficulties and trouble created by several people unhappy with her success, one of whom is Armaan's arrogant girlfriend Mallika (Rakshanda Khan). She is forced to disappear when things get too murky and is saved by businessman Purab Mehra (Samir Soni) who eventually becomes responsible for Jassi's makeover so she can hide her real identity and avenge the wrongs done to her and her family. Meanwhile, Armaan falls in love with Jassi, and while mourning her disappearance, is inexplicably attracted to her alter ego Jessica Bedi. In the end, Armaan and Jassi unite and gain control of Gulmohur.
Cast
Mona Singh as Jasmeet Walia (Jassi), also called Chasmish Chuhiya in negative tone / Jessica Bedi (model of Gulmohar & Jasmin Collection) / Neha Shastri (history and drama teacher) / Vedika's adoptive mother. She is an economist and Chairman Personal assistant with secretary in Gulmohar. Apparently ugly woman but very skilled in economics with a good CV. She is the pride of her father. She is in love with Armaan Suri but when she gets a new look, Armaan marries her, Armaan's wife.
Apurva Agnihotri as Armaan Suri, the heir to the Gulmohar business empire who starts out as a rich and arrogant businessman, Jassi's lover/husband abba Vedika's adoptive father. He is a chairman of Gulmohar. Inept playboy with only knowledge in industrial engineering who presents a risky and ambitious proposal with which he wins the presidency of Gulmohar. Managing it brings the company to the brink of bankruptcy.
Rakshanda Khan as Mallika Seth. She is a fashionista and Armaan's girlfriend from a well to do business family, main antagonist, Armaan's fiancée and Gulmohar's stockholder and point-of-sale manager. She is not really bad but a woman full of dignity who loves Armaan and hates lovers of Armaan. She hates Jassi as she covers up his constant infidelities.
Parmeet Sethi as Raj Malhotra. He is Armaan's best friend and Gulmohar's commercial vice president. Playboy inveterate enemy of commitments and fatherhood.
Gaurav Gera as Nandan Verma (Nandu), Jassi's best friend
Manini Mishra as Pari Kapadia. She is the antagonist; Mallika's best friend and secretary. Divorced woman, refined and superficial, as well as a materialist who is looking for a rich husband. Armaan hates her because she is a silly blonde and knows that Mallika wants her as Armaan's secretary to watch over her infidelities.
Jayati Bhatia as Bindiya, Jassi's friend
Pushtiie Shakti as Maithili, Jassi's friend
Pubali Sanyal as Nazneen, Jassi's friend
Guest appearances
Saif Ali Khan as Karan Kapoor: To promote his film Hum Tum (May 2004)
Malaika Arora for L'Oréal Paris Fashion Fiesta advertisement in episode no 275
Vandana Luthra as herself in Episode 306
Rupali Tiwari as herself from NDTV News Host in Episode 343
Neeta Lulla Designed Jassi's Bridal Outfit
Neelam Kothari – designed Jassi's bridal jewellery
Development
Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi is also known for its remarkable campaigning and marketing done by the channel to attract a huge audience before its launch. The main protagonist 'Jasmeet Walia' was hidden completely from the audience in promotions although the campaigning was focused on the character's uniqueness. This generated a lot of curiosity among its audience to know about the character. This was the first an Indian Television Channel took such a big risk to keep its series protagonist under wraps and still promoting it heavily. The risk paid off and the show opened with a bumper response on its premiere episode. The TV show was well received and it went on to run for three years.
Reception
A special episode aired on 5 March 2005 garnered 10.9 TVR.