MUMBAI: Even as Balika Vadhu retains its position as the top fiction show on Hindi general entertainment channels, its protagonist Anandi goes up the popularity charts to become the most favourite character on television.

Anandi returns to the No.1 position after almost 10 months, according to media research and consulting firm Ormax Media’s quarterly study Characters India Loves (CIL). The show Balika Vadhu airs on Colors.

Anandi had occupied the numero uno position since the inception of CIL in August 2009 till its fifth edition in September 2010. Since then, the show had seen a fall in the ratings, which also resulted in Anandi’s losing her stature.

Meanwhile, Ram Kapoor, the male protagonist of Sony Entertainment Television’s Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, has occupied the fifth place.

Jethalal (Sab’s Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma) and Akshara (Star plus, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai) are at No 2 and 3 respectively. Priya from Bade Achhe Lagte Hain is at No 10.

This eight track of the study was conducted during July this year. The interviews were conducted among 3,477 respondents in six cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Indore and Jalandhar, females and males in the 15-44 age group, SEC ABC, Ormax Media said.

The report lists the top fiction and non-fiction characters across gender, age, SEC and market segments. Further, a section of the report illustrates reasons for likeability of the top characters.