What is the heart of any story? Or let me rephrase it. What is the heart of your favourite novel, television show or movie? Beyond doubt, everyone will name a certain character. For the same piece of work itself, different people may choose different characters depending on their taste. But there is no escaping the importance of characters in any story.

After all, it is they around whom the entire plot is woven. They take the story forward, making us cry and laugh along with them. It is they who make us think long after we have put down the book. It is they that we relate to.

That is why when a strong actor portrays a character on-screen, then despite of it not being the central one in a panorama of others, it leaves a mark on the audience. They add on to the nuances of their role. Take Game of Thrones for example. There is a plethora of characters in that make-believe universe, with so many of them having substantial storylines. Yet, when Peter Dinklage plays Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s hit series, he towers over all others.

When a book is conceived, the author makes all effort to give depth to each character. But every one of them brings their own fate. It is so because there are so many diverse people around the globe. Political, environmental and social scenarios keep changing. How majority of them end up responding to the characters will always remain unpredictable. As will the overall fate of a story.