# Saru (2025 TV series)
**Saru** is an Indian Hindi-language television drama series that premiered on 12 May 2025 on [Zee TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/zee-tv) and streams digitally on ZEE5[9](https://www.herzindagi.com/tv-ott/saru-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-all-episodes-online-article-1028016). Produced by Shashi Sumeet Productions, it follows Saru, a kabaddi (Indian contact team sport of raiding and tagging opponents) champion from the village of Khares in [Rajasthan](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajasthan) who moves to Mumbai to pursue higher education while fighting to secure her mother Gauri's rightful place in the family she was separated from[1](https://filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-serial-review-mohak-matkar-shagun-pandey-zee-tv-show-filled-with-strong-performances-promising-460249.html) • [2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070). It replaced Zee TV's *Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye* in the channel's lineup[3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Premiere | 12 May 2025 on Zee TV; ZEE5 lists the same release date[2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070) |
| Broadcast slot | Daily at 7:30 PM on Zee TV[4](https://www.yugmarg.com/edition/2025/05/12/pages.pdf) |
| Production | Shashi Sumeet Productions[1](https://filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-serial-review-mohak-matkar-shagun-pandey-zee-tv-show-filled-with-strong-performances-promising-460249.html) |
| Lead cast | Mohak Matkar as Saru, Shagun Pandey as Ved, Anushka Merchande as Anika[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html) |
| Setting | The village of Khares, Rajasthan, and Mumbai[1](https://filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-serial-review-mohak-matkar-shagun-pandey-zee-tv-show-filled-with-strong-performances-promising-460249.html) |
| Streaming | ZEE5, with a subscription required for uninterrupted viewing[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html) |
| IMDb rating | 6.4/10 based on 32 user votes[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37150304/) |
## Premise
Saru is a determined young woman from Khares, a small village in Rajasthan, who aspires to become a Deputy Collector and plans to study in Mumbai[2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070). Her mother Gauri, haunted by painful experiences in her past, refuses to send her, and Saru must earn permission to leave[2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070) • [3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/). In Mumbai she battles odds to gain college admission, reunites with her family, and works to win her mother recognition within that family while chasing her own dreams[2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070).
The story also carries a hidden-identity thread: Saru is in fact the daughter of a rich family, but her father left her mother long ago and now lives with his new family, unaware of Saru's existence[1](https://filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-serial-review-mohak-matkar-shagun-pandey-zee-tv-show-filled-with-strong-performances-promising-460249.html). Early episodes establish the conflict with Anika, an arrogant rich young woman who follows her lover Ved to Saru's village, faces her in a kabaddi match, and later blocks Saru's college admission in Mumbai[2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070).
## Cast and characters
**Leads.** Mohak Matkar plays the title character, described as a meticulous, confident, and independent young woman rooted in her values; the role marks her debut as a lead[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html) • [4](https://www.yugmarg.com/edition/2025/05/12/pages.pdf). Shagun Pandey plays Ved, a calm and principled college lecturer who becomes an important part of Saru's journey[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html). Anushka Merchande plays the antagonist Anika, who uses her riches and power to humiliate others and repeatedly schemes against Saru[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html) • [3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/).
**Family.** Nilam Panchal plays Gauri, Saru's mother, whose fear for her daughter's safety stems from her own past[3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/). Pankit Thakker plays Chandru (also written Chandrakant), Gauri's husband, who believes her dead, remarried Urmila, and is the father of both Saru and Anika[3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/). Kamalika Guha Thakurta plays Kaminidevi, the show's principal antagonist, who once sent men to kill Gauri and Saru after learning that the man Urmila loved was in love with Gauri[3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/). Swati Chitnis plays [Annapurna](https://www.edgepedia.org/annapurna), Saru and Anika's grandmother, who waits for her long-lost granddaughter and has already formed a bond with Saru[3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/). Ramakant Daayama plays Saru's Nana, who supports her dreams and helps her leave home[3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/).
## Broadcast and reception
The show airs every day at 7:30 PM on Zee TV, taking its story from rural Rajasthan to Mumbai[4](https://www.yugmarg.com/edition/2025/05/12/pages.pdf). A Filmibeat review published three days after launch praised the emotional core, the performances of Matkar and Pandey, and the opening sequences filmed in real Rajasthani locales[1](https://filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-serial-review-mohak-matkar-shagun-pandey-zee-tv-show-filled-with-strong-performances-promising-460249.html). A separate Filmibeat report on the public response described the show as a hit among audiences[7](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/public-review-is-out-mohak-matkar-and-shagun-pandey-s-saru-is-a-hit-amongst-the-audience-460799.html). On IMDb the series holds a 6.4/10 rating from 32 votes[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37150304/).
Merchande has spoken publicly about receiving mixed reactions, including hate, from viewers for playing a negative character[8](https://epaper.dainikmahasagar.in/media/2025-10/np-8-october-amravati_compressed.pdf).
## Naming and source discrepancies
Two details vary across listings. IMDb gives the release date as May 1, 2025 (India)[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37150304/), while Zee TV's own schedule, ZEE5, and press coverage all place the premiere on 12 May 2025[4](https://www.yugmarg.com/edition/2025/05/12/pages.pdf). ZEE5's show page lists Shagun Pandey's character as "Dev"[2](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070), whereas Filmibeat and the ZEE5 character guide identify the character as Ved[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html) • [3](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/).
## References
1. [Saru (Zee TV Show) Review: A Promising Tale Of Courage And Identity, Filmibeat](https://filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-serial-review-mohak-matkar-shagun-pandey-zee-tv-show-filled-with-strong-performances-promising-460249.html)
2. [Saru, ZEE5 show page](https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/saru/0-6-4z5727070)
3. [Meet The Characters of Saru TV Show Streaming on ZEE5, ZEE5 Blog](https://www.zee5.com/global/blog/meet-the-characters-of-saru-the-new-hindi-tv-show-streaming-on-zee5/)
4. [Yugmarg, 12 May 2025 edition](https://www.yugmarg.com/edition/2025/05/12/pages.pdf)
5. [Saru Full Cast, Real Names Of Actors, Filmibeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/saru-full-cast-real-name-of-actors-shagun-pandey-mohan-matkar-zee-tv-ved-anika-how-to-watch-online-459615.html)
6. [Saru (TV Series 2025– ), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37150304/)
7. [Public Review Is Out! Mohak Matkar and Shagun Pandey's Saru Is a HIT Amongst the Audience, Filmibeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2025/public-review-is-out-mohak-matkar-and-shagun-pandey-s-saru-is-a-hit-amongst-the-audience-460799.html)
8. [Nagpur Post, 8 October 2025](https://epaper.dainikmahasagar.in/media/2025-10/np-8-october-amravati_compressed.pdf)
9. [Saru Release Date: When And Where To Watch All Episodes Online?, herzindagi.com](https://www.herzindagi.com/tv-ott/saru-release-date-when-and-where-to-watch-all-episodes-online-article-1028016)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › South and Southeast Asian serials › Hindi serials and Indian Hindi-language dramas › Family and social dramas*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license