"Never Kiss Your Best Friend" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the book "Never Kiss Your Best Friend" by Sumrit Shahi, the characters play various roles in the lives of the protagonists, Sumer and Tanie. Sumer and Tanie are the main characters and their friendship forms the core of the story. Abhi, Sahil, Kiran, Anhad, Rishabh, Rashi, Mr. Singh, and Mrs. Singh are secondary characters who contribute to the development of the plot and the main characters' arcs.

Character Descriptions

• Sumer: Sumer is a young and ambitious guy who is deeply devoted to his friendship with Tanie. He is described as charming, witty, and confident. Sumer is also shown to be emotionally vulnerable and struggles with his romantic feelings towards Tanie.
• Tanie: Tanie is a smart and independent girl who values her friendship with Sumer above everything else. She is described as beautiful, kind-hearted, and career-oriented. Tanie is also depicted as someone who is afraid of commitment and struggles to confront her own feelings.
• Abhi: Abhi is Sumer's best friend from college. He is portrayed as a carefree and fun-loving guy who serves as a source of comic relief in the story. Abhi is always there to support Sumer and Tanie's friendship, but also encourages Sumer to explore his romantic feelings.
• Sahil: Sahil is Tanie's childhood friend who has feelings for her. He is depicted as a shy and introverted person who is deeply in love with Tanie. Sahil's character adds a layer of complexity to the story as he becomes a rival for Sumer's affections.
• Kiran: Kiran is Tanie's best friend and roommate. She is portrayed as sassy, outspoken, and fiercely protective of Tanie. Kiran serves as a confidante and advisor to Tanie throughout the story.
• Anhad: Anhad is a charming and mysterious guy who enters Tanie's life as a potential love interest. He is described as confident, artistic, and passionate. Anhad sparks Tanie's curiosity and becomes a catalyst for her self-discovery.
• Rishabh: Rishabh is Sumer's childhood friend who re-enters his life after several years. He is portrayed as a successful businessman who is confident and suave. Rishabh's character acts as a contrast to Sumer and adds a layer of rivalry and tension to the story.
• Rashi: Rashi is Tanie's close friend and confidante. She is depicted as a straightforward and no-nonsense person who provides Tanie with practical advice and support. Rashi's character adds depth to Tanie's journey of self-realization.
• Mr. Singh: Mr. Singh is Tanie's father and plays a significant role in the story. He is portrayed as a strict and traditional man who has high expectations of Tanie. Mr. Singh's character highlights the cultural and generational conflicts faced by Tanie.
• Mrs. Singh: Mrs. Singh is Tanie's mother who is depicted as a loving and supportive figure. She serves as a contrast to Mr. Singh's strictness and provides a sense of warmth and understanding in Tanie's life.

Character Traits

• Sumer: Charming, witty, confident, emotionally vulnerable.
• Tanie: Smart, independent, beautiful, kind-hearted, career-oriented, afraid of commitment.
• Abhi: Carefree, fun-loving, supportive.
• Sahil: Shy, introverted, deeply in love with Tanie.
• Kiran: Sassy, outspoken, protective.
• Anhad: Charming, mysterious, confident, artistic.
• Rishabh: Successful, confident, suave.
• Rashi: Straightforward, practical, supportive.
• Mr. Singh: Strict, traditional.
• Mrs. Singh: Loving, supportive.

Character Background

• Sumer: Sumer comes from a middle-class background and has always been focused on his studies and career. He has a close bond with his family, especially his younger sister. Sumer's character has a backstory of unrequited love and abandonment, which shapes his approach to relationships.
• Tanie: Tanie belongs to an affluent family, and her parents have high expectations of her. She has always been an achiever and strives to excel in her career. Tanie's character has a history of heartbreak, which makes her hesitant to trust and commit to romantic relationships.
• Abhi: Abhi comes from a supportive and loving family. He is an optimistic and carefree person who enjoys life to the fullest. Abhi's character is portrayed as the voice of reason and serves as a constant support system for Sumer and Tanie.
• Sahil: Sahil comes from a middle-class background and has been friends with Tanie since childhood. He is introverted and lacks confidence, but deeply cares for Tanie. Sahil's character has a history of unrequited love and silently pines for Tanie throughout the story.
• Kiran: Kiran belongs to a middle-class family and shares a strong bond with Tanie. She is fiercely loyal and protective of Tanie. Kiran's character is depicted as someone who is unafraid to speak her mind and provides Tanie with honest advice.
• Anhad: Anhad comes from a well-off family and is pursuing his passion for art. He is confident and charismatic, but also carries a sense of mystery. Anhad's character is introduced as a romantic interest for Tanie and brings a new perspective into her life.
• Rishabh: Rishabh comes from a wealthy background and is a successful businessman. He has a history of friendship with Sumer and returns to their lives after several years. Rishabh's character adds a layer of rivalry and complexity to Sumer's journey.
• Rashi: Rashi is a close friend of Tanie and provides her with practical advice and support. She is portrayed as a strong and independent person who values honesty and loyalty in relationships.
• Mr. Singh: Mr. Singh is a traditional man who holds conservative values. He wants Tanie to prioritize her career and settle down with a suitable partner. Mr. Singh's character represents the clash between traditional expectations and Tanie's desires for personal fulfillment.
• Mrs. Singh: Mrs. Singh is a loving and supportive mother who wants Tanie to be happy. She understands Tanie's aspirations and provides a sense of comfort and understanding.

Character Arcs

• Sumer: Sumer's character arc revolves around his journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with his romantic feelings for Tanie. He starts as a carefree and confident person but becomes emotionally vulnerable as he navigates the complexities of their friendship. Sumer's arc ultimately leads him to understand the importance of communication and taking risks in love.
• Tanie: Tanie's character arc focuses on her journey of self-realization and overcoming her fear of commitment. She starts as an independent and career-oriented woman who is hesitant to confront her feelings for Sumer. Tanie's arc leads her to explore her own desires and make choices that prioritize her own happiness.
• Abhi: Abhi's character arc revolves around his unwavering support for Sumer and Tanie's friendship. He starts as a carefree and fun-loving guy but becomes a voice of reason for both Sumer and Tanie. Abhi's arc highlights the importance of friendship and the sacrifices he makes for their happiness.
• Sahil: Sahil's character arc centers around his unrequited love for Tanie and his journey of acceptance. He starts as a shy and introverted person who silently pines for Tanie. Sahil's arc leads him to find his own happiness and let go of his one-sided love.
• Kiran: Kiran's character arc focuses on her role as Tanie's confidante and advisor. She starts as a sassy and outspoken friend who supports Tanie throughout her journey. Kiran's arc highlights the strength of their friendship and her growth as an individual.
• Anhad: Anhad's character arc revolves around his role as a catalyst for Tanie's self-discovery. He starts as a charming and mysterious love interest who encourages Tanie to explore her desires. Anhad's arc ultimately leads him to find his own path and pursue his passion.
• Rishabh: Rishabh's character arc centers around his friendship with Sumer and his rivalry for Tanie's affections. He starts as a successful businessman who re-enters their lives and challenges Sumer's feelings. Rishabh's arc highlights the importance of honesty and the complexities of friendship.
• Rashi: Rashi's character arc focuses on her role as Tanie's friend and advisor. She starts as a straightforward and practical person who provides Tanie with valuable advice. Rashi's arc highlights her unwavering support for Tanie and her growth as an individual.
• Mr. Singh: Mr. Singh's character arc revolves around his expectations for Tanie and his journey of understanding her desires. He starts as a traditional and strict father who wants Tanie to prioritize her career. Mr. Singh's arc leads him to realize the importance of Tanie's happiness and personal fulfillment.
• Mrs. Singh: Mrs. Singh's character arc centers around her role as a loving and supportive mother. She starts as a caring figure who wants Tanie to be happy. Mrs. Singh's arc highlights her understanding and acceptance of Tanie's choices.

Relationships

• The friendship between Sumer and Tanie is the core relationship in the story. They share a deep bond and face various challenges that test their friendship.
• The friendship between Sumer, Abhi, Sahil, and Kiran adds a dynamic and supportive group dynamic to the story. They provide each other with advice, laughter, and emotional support.
• The romantic relationship between Tanie and Anhad introduces a new dynamic into the story and sparks Tanie's journey of self-discovery.
• The romantic relationship between Tanie and Rishabh creates tension and rivalry between Sumer and Rishabh, highlighting the complexities of friendship and love.
• The friendship between Tanie and Rashi provides Tanie with a confidante and advisor who supports her throughout her journey.
• The relationship between Tanie and her parents, Mr. Singh and Mrs. Singh, showcases the clash between traditional expectations and Tanie's desires for personal fulfillment.

In conclusion, "Never Kiss Your Best Friend" by Sumrit Shahi features a diverse cast of characters who play important roles in the lives of the protagonists, Sumer and Tanie. The characters' backgrounds, traits, arcs, and relationships contribute to the development of the plot and explore themes of friendship, love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships.