Selvi

"Selvi" was a Tamil soap opera aired on India's Sun TV (India) Network. It is produced by Radaan Mediaworks (I) Limited, as the successor to its two previous hit serials, "Chithi" and "Annamalai". Its 499 episodes run began on 24th January 2005 and came to an end on 29th December 2006.

Plot Summary

The story revolves around two best friends, Selvi and Tamarai (portrayed by the veteran Tamil actresses Raadhika Sarathkumar and Saritha respectively). Selvi is the main heroine, the eldest child of a wealthy Sri Lankan jeweller. However, her father loses his entire fortune to his devious partner, and flees Sri Lanka. Selvi is forced to support her family, which consists of her stepmother Thangam, 2 half-brothers and 3 half-sisters.

The first few episodes were shot in Sri Lanka. Eventually the story moved to India, where Selvi brings along her family hoping to pay off her father's debts. In Chennai is her best friend Tamarai, who is happily married, with 2 young children, to GJ. Unbeknownst to Tamarai, her husband is really a fraud. Selvi eventually ends up working in GJ's company and he finds her to be a very able businesswoman.

Unfortunately, soon after Selvi comes to India, an accident occurs which leaves Tamarai comatose. In the meanwhile, GJ plots to remarry to a wealthy heiress, Maya. But in time, he comes to realise that Selvi would make a far better bride. Despite Selvi's unwillingness, both her own family and Tamarai's force her to marry GJ. Soon after GJ and Selvi consummate their marriage, Tamarai awakens from her coma. Selvi is more than willing to leave the marriage she was forced into, but then discovers she is pregnant.

The truth of her best friend marrying her husband is kept from Tamarai until the day Selvi gives birth to a daughter. When Tamarai finds out, it seems the close friendship between the two is over.

Ending

GJ does illegal drug business in the name of Tamarai. This illegal business was busted as it caused many to die, which made police to arrest Tamarai as everything was on her name. GJ intentionally neither make an attempt to bring her out nor accepts the crime. Using this opportunity, GJ transfers all of Tamarai's properties in his name. After which, GJ goes to jail to see Maya to start another life with her. While he was explaining his motives and how he got Thamarai involved in this to Maya, Thamarai gets to hear everything. Thamarai realises the crookedness of GJ and commits suicide in the jail itself. Selvi grieves that Thamarai never understood her intention and sacrifices. After few days, Selvi gets a letter from Thamarai explaining everything and seeking apology from her. Thamarai also wanted her son and daughter to grow with Selvi rather GJ. Finally, Selvi goes to GJ's house shows the letter and brings back Thamarai's kids with her. She leaves GJ as a lone wolf.

Sequel

Many fans were left unsatisfied with the ending, which had several loose ends. However, starting on 3rd January 2007, another Radaan Mediaworks production in the same timeslot, "Arasi", continues to the story of Selvi, although the major driver of the original serial - the friendship between Selvi and Tamarai - is over since the latter's death. (This was probably motivated by the resignation of Saritha who played Tamarai.) At the same time, "Arasi" introduced a new titular character, also played by Radhikaa. Arasi is a high-ranking police officer, married to a retired judge with two grown-up children. However, her respectability and idyllic family life is threatened when it comes to light that the illegitimate daughter she bore when she was 18 is still alive - none other than Selvi, who believes her father is Yogeswaran and that her mother is his dead first wife. The paths of mother and daughter are set to collide in the holy city of Rameshwaram.

Atlast selvi ended and it started in the name of Arasi.