Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Ek Baar Phir ( What Shall I Name This Love? Once Again) is an Indian romantic drama television series created and produced by Sunjoy Waddhwa under Sphere Origins. The series aired on StarPlus from 26 August 2013 to 13 June 2015, completing a total of 542 episodes. The show stars Avinash Sachdev and Shrenu Parikh as Shlok and Aastha, respectively. It is the second installment in the Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? series.
Set and filmed in Pune, Maharastra, the show revolves around Shlok Agnihotri and Aastha Kirloskar. It tells the story of Shlok, a cunning business executive struggling with a recent breakup, which shapes his chauvinistic personality and actions. Shlok becomes entangled in a world of chauvinistic beliefs and hatred for love. Aastha, a progressive and liberal girl committed to driving change and fostering equality, crosses paths with Shlok, who becomes increasingly irritated by her nature. Shlok pretends to love Aastha and marries her, driven by a desire for revenge who mistakenly holds her accountable for the reputational damage to him and his family. The show navigates the conflicts between revenge and the evolving emotions of love. The series also portrays domestic violence, addressing a common social issue.
The show’s co-stars include Manish Wadhwa and Geetanjali Tikekar as Shlok's parents, Niranjan Agnihotri and Anjali Agnihotri, and Tushar Dalvi and Prachi Shah as Aastha's parents, Avdhoot Kirloskar and Kalindi Kirloskar. The two families hold vastly different views on gender equality. Other notable characters include Aarav Chowdhary and Dolly Minhas as Indrajeet Sarkar and Ahilya Vinas, who, after settling in Pune, plan a deceptive plan to take over the Agnihotris' wealth.
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? Ek Baar Phir was the first television series on StarPlus to be broadcast in a non-prime time slot at 6:00 PM (IST). The show garnered higher-than-expected viewership in its initial weeks, setting a trend for the new prime-time slot.
Plot Aastha is a cheerful, compassionate, and independent woman who strongly believes in equality and the importance of relationships. In contrast, Shlok Agnihotri is an arrogant, emotionally distant businessman who values wealth and reputation over human connections. His cold personality is shaped by a painful past.
Shlok, President and CEO of Agnihotri Educational Trust Inc, manages several educational institutions. When an incident of academic misconduct occurs, he suspends the male students involved but expels the female student. The Agnihotri family later attends an award ceremony celebrating their contribution to the education industry. At the event, Aastha publicly questions Shlok about his unfair treatment of the girl. The confrontation is broadcast live, damaging the Agnihotri family’s public image and resulting in a raid on their business.
Believing that Aastha deliberately insulted his family, Shlok decides to take revenge. He pretends to fall in love with her and marries her under false pretenses. On their wedding night, Shlok breaks Aastha’s mangalsutra and reveals that he never loved her, admitting that the marriage was part of his revenge plan. He threatens to have her father, Avdhoot, framed in a case corruption if she exposes the truth of their relationship.
Varad arranges a honeymoon for the couple in Singapore. Despite Aastha’s attempts to cancel the trip, they leave, during which Aastha escapes and gets lost in a jungle. Shlok finds her, and they spend their honeymoon in the jungle trying to find their way out. During this time, Aastha learns that her father has been arrested and believes Shlok is responsible. Shlok insists on his innocence, but Aastha reveals the truth about their marriage to both families. Kalindi advises her to seek divorce. At the first court hearing, the judge orders Aastha to stay with Shlok for six months before granting a decision.
During this period, Aastha gradually learns about Shlok’s past. She discovers that he was once in love with a woman named Swati, whose separation from him caused his deep hatred toward women. It is revealed that Niranjan ordered Anjali to oppose Swati because she was against the regressive Agnihotri family traditions. This led to Shlok’s heartbreak and emotional withdrawal from relationships. As Aastha tries to bring out Shlok’s true nature, she falls in love with him and later confesses her feelings.
Meanwhile, Aditi enters the Agnihotri house under a false identity to separate Shlok and Aastha. She makes multiple attempts to kill Aastha, but Shlok saves her each time. Aastha is kidnapped but Shlok finds her. Aditi reveals that she is Swati’s sister, and accuses Shlok for Swati’s failing health. Shlok later meets Swati shortly before her death, which deeply affects him. At the end of six months, Shlok and Aastha decide not to divorce. Realizing his love for Aastha, Shlok confesses his feelings, and they both consummate.
Jyoti flees her abusive in-laws after they plan to abort her unborn daughter for the third time. While escaping, she meets Siddharth, Aastha’s cousin, who unknowingly helps her. Siddharth sends her to Kalindi's house, and Jyoti explains everything to Kalindi. Meanwhile, Siddharth gradually falls in love with Jyoti. Abhay and Sulbha plan to convince the Agnihotri family that they are innocent and that Jyoti had simply run away.
Aastha discovers Niranjan’s true nature and witnesses his emotional abuse of Anjali. She learns how Niranjan deceives his family to maintain control. During Anjali's birthday celebration, Aastha confronts Anjali about their relationship, and both become emotional as Anjali finally admits that Niranjan has her helpless and unwillingly obeys Niranjan. Aastha promises to reveal Niranjan's true nature to the family. Abhay finds Jyoti, and exposes her infront of the family. Jyoti tells the truth about Abhay’s violent behaviour and requests Niranjan to allow her to stay with them. The police arrest Abhay. When Niranjan indirectly pressures Jyoti into signing the bail papers, Abhay insists on taking her home. Anjali intervenes infuriating Niranjan. However, Jyoti starts to see Anjali's kind nature. After initial resistance, the Agnihotri family eventually agree to Jyoti and Siddharth’s marriage.
Aastha attempts to inform Shlok about Niranjan’s manipulations, but he refuses to believe her, leading to misunderstandings in their relationship. Aastha manages to obtain evidence of Niranjan’s intentions, but accidentally presents a blank DVD to the family, further angering Shlok. Due to Aastha’s persistent accusations against Niranjan, Shlok divides the house and orders Aastha to stay separately. Anjali immediately joins her, openly confessing Niranjan’s control over her and how he deceives everyone, shocking the family. Soon after, Jyoti overhears Niranjan admitting his true intentions about Jyoti. Devastated, she sides with Anjali and Aastha and tells Shlok that he is being fooled. When Sojal learns of Varad’s affair and sees Niranjan dismiss her concerns, she also joins Anjali and Aastha.
Niranjan learns that Aastha has evidence against him and destroys it. He has Aastha kidnapped and nearly killed. Niranjan prevents Anjali from saving her and takes her away. Anjali criticises Niranjan, and Shlok rescues Aastha. Shlok finally learns the truth about Niranjan as he witnesses him confessing his past actions to Anjali. Shlok is heartbroken as he loses faith in his father. He regrets his past mistreatment of Anjali and his misunderstandings with Aastha. Shlok apologizes to Anjali for his past behavior and embraces her. Anjali is overjoyed to see Shlok's love for her, and they both become emotional. Shlok decides to leave his status and wealth, and leaves the Agnihotri house with Aastha and Anjali.
Shlok and Aastha start a modest life by operating a food truck business in Mumbai. Niranjan, feeling lonely, regrets his actions and is desperate to find Shlok. He eventually locates Shlok, Aastha and Anjali, asking for forgiveness, which they grant. Varad becomes brainwashed and foolishly signs an agreement with Indrajeet Sarkar, leading to the loss of the Agnihotri's assets. Varad also seeks forgiveness for his mistakes and is forgiven.
The reunited Agnihotri family live together in a small house. They plan to reclaim their assets from the Sarkars. Shlok and Aastha disguise themselves as Balvankar Singh and Sapna to regain their lost assets; Aastha works as Indrajeet’s assistant while Shlok takes care of his children. They successfully obtain the Power of Attorney documents, and reveal their true identities. On the day they recover everything, the Sarkars reveal a shocking truth that devastates Anjali and shocks the rest of the family. Shlok, Anjali and Aastha are involved in a deadly accident, in which Shlok falls into a coma, Anjali dies and Aastha loses her memory. After hearing the news, Niranjan becomes insane and admitted in a long-term care facility.
When Shlok wakes up from the coma six months later, he is devastated to learn that Anjali died in the accident. He asks about Aastha, and Varad informs him that she is missing since the accident. After a desperate search, Shlok finally finds Aastha, but she is unable to recognize him, leaving him heartbroken. It is revealed that Indrajeet has taken advantage of Aastha's memory loss, leading her to believe that he is her husband. Shlok begins to recreate past events, hoping that Aastha naturally remembers her past. As Aastha slowly starts to recall her past, Shlok manages to stop the wedding and rescues Aastha, who is delighted to see him. Indrajeet is arrested, and Shlok and Aastha adopt his children, living happily together.
Cast Main Avinash Sachdev as Shlok Agnihotri: Aastha's husband and the CEO of Agnihotri Educational Trust Inc. After a painful breakup, he becomes a troubled, chauvinistic business tycoon who often discourages and degrades women's achievements. As his character evolves, Shlok gains a fabricated reputation for opening educational institutions for the less fortunate (2013–2015) Shrenu Parikh as Aastha Agnihotri (née Kirloskar): Shlok's wife, a fearless, liberal, and optimistic woman who strives to promote equality. She navigates the complexities of the Agnihotri residence with determination to bring about change. Aastha holds passionate beliefs about equality and inspires the women in her family to recognize their importance (2013–2015)
Recurring Manish Wadhwa as Niranjan Agnihotri: Shlok's father and Anjali's husband, a wealthy businessman who increasingly resorts to violence and deception to control his family. He escalates domestic violence against his wife to impose regressive household traditions. Niranjan is portrayed as a master of manipulation and deceit, holding misogynistic beliefs and using his wife to achieve his goals (2013–2015) Geetanjali Tikekar as Anjali Agnihotri: Shlok's mother and Niranjan's wife, initially portrayed as a strict and controlling mother-in-law. She is later revealed to be suffering from spousal dominance, which causes her to unwittingly devalue women and promote inferior household traditions. Anjali's true emotions toward her children emerge through Aastha’s persistent efforts to foster change, ultimately provoking anger in Niranjan (2013–2015) Samir Sharma as Varad Agnihotri: Shlok’s elder brother and Sojal's husband, a media director (2013–2015) Shalmalee Desai as Sojal Agnihotri: Varad's wife and Kavya's mother (2013–2015) Grace Girdhar as Kavya Agnihotri: Varad and Sojal's daughter (2013–2015) Sachin Parikh as Vinayak Agnihotri: Niranjan's younger brother, a talented artist with a friendly personality who is often seen as unassociated with the other men in the Agnihotri family. He does not support or participate in regressive traditions (2013–2014)