In November 2005, an Inside Soap columnist reported that John Nayagam had joined the cast as vet Hari Prasad. Producer Kathleen Beedles said the character would be popular with the ladies of the village, and praised Nayagam for being "a wonderfully charismatic actor". Hari was introduced as an old university friend of Paddy Kirk's, who buys into his veterinary practice to save it from going under. A writer from What's on TV described Hari as a "slippery vet" and "a real charmer and would like to be a millionaire playboy but his current wage packet frustrates his ambitions".
Storylines
Hari arrives in the village and reconnects with Paddy Kirk, who he had attended university with but had parted ways after a business disagreement. The two men make peace and after initial hesitation, they agree tp go into partnership in Paddy's veterinary practive which is suffering due to word of mouth that Paddy is responsible for the death of Sandra and Craig Briggs' entire flock of sheep. Over time, Hari and Paddy rebuild the business. Hari finds himself the object of many female villagers' desires; firstly Toni Daggert who flirts with him, but he rejects her advances. He then tries to help Paddy win Toni's heart but she is still firmly attracted to Hari. Hari also clashes with Jo Stiles over her unsuitable work attire and attitude. Perdita Hyde-Sinclair flirts with Hari and he reciprocates but ultimately realises that she is using him to make her husband, Grayson Sinclair. Nonetheless, Hari and Perdy remain friends and Hari goes into business with Grayson and tends to the Alpacas at Oakwell Hall. Hari and Grayson plan to buy a racehorse together but Grayson backs out, leaving Hari to raise the funds that would cover Grayson's share, which results in him taking money from the practice to make up Grayson's share. The horse has to be put down on its first run leaving Hari in a financial mire as he needs to replace the money Grayson's mother, Rosemary King give him the money, on the understanding that he will do her a favour in return at a later date. That favour, when called in, is to tell the police that Hari heard the King brothers discussing how they had murdered their father, Rosemary's husband Tom King and find someone to verify his story. Hari then persuades Louise Appleton to provide a statement but she works out he is lying. During the village's 500th Anniversary, Hari kidnapsScarlett Nicholls and runs Louise off the road, while she is on her way to change her statement about the Kings. Hari then corners Louise in hospital, blaming her for losing everything as the prosecution have dropped the case against the brothers and Louise insults him, prompting Harry to attempt to smother her with a pillow. A nurse and a doctor enter and try to subdue Harry but he is too strong for them and tries to flee but is subdued by orderlies and eventually arrested and jailed. Rita Brannigan discovers some financial irregularity at the vets and Paddy visits Hari on remand and attempts to buy his share of the vet's but Hari's offer is over the odds. Three weeks later, Matthew King visits Hari and blackmails him into raising his asking price. Hari then sells his share to Rosemary and following her death on Christmas Day 2007, her interest passes to Grayson.
