Indian soap opera: Difference between revisions

[[File:Saathiya Radha and Magarasi Ragini.png|thumb|upright|Indian soap operas are popular and mainly deal with house hold problems,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150714/entertainment-tvmusic/article/bad-influence-tv-soaps-making-viewers-negative|title= Women of all age groups are fascinated watching television serials.

|access-date=14 Jun 2015}}</ref> romantic relationships<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/features/abusive-husbands-of-tv-serials-140630|title= New Indian Tele- serials deal with Negative effects of male chauvinism|access-date=12 March 2013}}</ref> and the negative impact of [[patriarchy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/Why-demean-and-demonise-women/article15798393.ece|title= Tele serials focus on hindrances of women empowerment|access-date=30 October 2010}}</ref>]]

'''Indian soap operas''' (or '''Indian serials''' in [[Indian English]]) are [[soap opera]] or [[serial (radio and television)|serial]]s written, produced and filmed in [[India]], with characters played by Indians with episodes broadcast on [[Television in India|Indian television]].<ref>Pak-Hind Ka Swag, Book 5 "Culture, Technology and fun", chapter 16 "soap opera, Serials and films"</ref>

India's first soap opera was ''[[Hum Log (TV series)|Hum Log]]'' ([[Hindi language|Hindi]]), which concluded with 154 episodes. ''[[Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi]]'' ([[Hindi language|Hindi]]) was the first Indian soap to cross 1,000 episodes and concluded with 1,833 episodes.<ref>[https://www.news18.com/news/india/kyunki-ends-301178.html Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi comes to a tragic end after completing 1833 episodes]</ref><ref>[https://m.timesofindia.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Saas-bahu-and-The-End/articleshow/3641504.cms Saas Bahu and the End]</ref> ''[[Char Divas Sasuche]]'' ([[Marathi language|Marathi]]) was the first Indian serial to cross 2,000 & 3,000 episodes also entering in [[Limca Book of Records]] which concluded with 3,200 episodes.

 

The Telugu serial, ''[[Abhishekam (TV series)|Abhishekam]]'' is the longest running serial of [[Indian television]] with over 3,600 episodes as of November 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/more-spellbinding-soap-gathas/300602 |title=More Spellbinding Soap Gathas |last=Shekhar |first=G. C. |date=6 September 2018 |work=Outlook |access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref> ''[[Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai]]'' is the longest running Hindi serial of [[Indian television]] with over 3,300 episodes as of January 2021.<ref>https://pressboltnews.com/yeh-rishta-kya-kehlata-hai-completes-12-years-and-3300-episodes/</ref> ''[[Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah]]'' became the longest running comedy series without any leaps with more than 3,200 episodes as of July 2021.

 

The most common languages in which Indian serials are made in are [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Kannada language|Kannada]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] and [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], though many contain a mix of the predominant language and [[English language|English]].

 

Indian soap operas are also broadcast in [[South Asia]], [[South east Asia]], [[Central Asia]], [[Southeastern Europe]], [[the Middle East]], [[North Africa]] and [[francophone Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20140502-family-affair-indian-soap-operas|title=BBC - Culture - Indian soap operas : Family affairs|author=Geeta Pandey|work=BBC Culture}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/magazine-guest-column/india-marginalized-in-myanmar.html|title=India Marginalized in Myanmar}}</ref>

India's first soap opera was ''[[Hum Log (TV series)|Hum Log]]'', which first aired in 1984<ref name="Kohli2006">{{cite book|last=Kohli|first=Vanita|title=The Indian Media Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hllyb6ymMy0C&pg=RA1-PA8-IA1|access-date=1 February 2014|date=14 June 2006|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9780761934691|pages=1–}}</ref> and concluded with 154 episodes, was the longest running serial in the history of [[Indian television]] at the time when it ended. It had an audience of 60&nbsp;million.<ref name="Gokulsing2004">{{cite book|last=Gokulsing|first=K. Moti|title=Soft-soaping India: The World of Indian Television Soap Operas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CAgVZ-lJFIC&pg=PA32|access-date=1 February 2014|year=2004|publisher=Trentham Books|isbn=9781858563213|pages=32–}}</ref> Every episode was about 25&nbsp;minutes long, and the last episode was about 55&nbsp;minutes. At the end of every episode, veteran [[Hindi film]] actor [[Ashok Kumar]] would discuss the ongoing story and situations with the audience using Hindi couplets and limericks. In later episodes, he would introduce the actors who played characters in the serial and end his monologue with the Indian language versions of the words "Hum Log."

Biographies of famous people started being produced in the form of soap operas like ''[[Chanakya (TV series)|Chanakya]]'', ''[[Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan]]'', ''[[Veer Shivaji]]'', ''[[Jhansi Ki Rani (2009 TV series)|Jhansi Ki Rani]]'', ''[[Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur]]'', ''[[Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap]]'', ''[[Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat]], [[Rudramadevi (TV series)|Rudramadevi]].''

Crime shows also started being produced and aired. ''[[Adaalat]]'' was an [[Indian television]] courtroom drama series which revolves around 'Advocate K.D. Pathak', a defense lawyer with an impeccable track record of winning cases and setting helpless innocent victims free, but not at the cost of upholding the truth and ''[[C.I.D. (India TV series)|C.I.D.]],'' follows a team of detectives belonging to the Crime Investigation Department in [[Mumbai]]. The protagonist of the show is [[Shivaji Satam]]. ''C.I.D.'' is the longest-running crime TV series in [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/jul/27/tv-cid-a-hit-with-viewers.htm |title=What makes this TV show such a hit with Indians? |publisher=Movies.rediff.com |access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref>

The Indian [[mythological]] [[drama]] show, [[Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev]], recorded the highest, 8.2 TVR in an episode. Daytime soap opera were popular during the 2000s with shows like ''[[Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi]]'', ''[[Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki]]'', ''[[Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan]]'', ''[[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagi Kay]]'', and ''[[Kahiin to Hoga]]'',''[[Kolangal (TV series)]], [[Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki]], [[Dishayen]], [[Kkusum]], [[Metti Oli]]''

. During the 2010s, as more women began working, they fell out of favor of the general public. Today, there are no daytime soap operas on any mainstream channel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Star Dopahar to call it a day, all shows to end on September 30|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/star-dopahar-to-call-it-a-day-all-shows-to-end-on-september-30-tv-news-4834240/|access-date=19 September 2017|publisher=[[Indian Express]]}}</ref> Currently, the four major networks that air primetime soap operas with nationwide following are [[Star Plus]], [[Colors TV]], [[Zee TV]] and [[Sony SAB]].<ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/management/star-zee-colors-and-sony-fight-it-out-on-weekends-113061301119_1.html Star, Zee, Colors and Sony fight it out on weekends - Business Standard]</ref>

[[Porus (TV series)|''Porus'']], a [[historical drama]], based on the Indian king [[Porus]], premiered on [[Sony Entertainment Television]] on 27 November 2017 and ended on 13 November 2018. It is currently the most expensive show in Indian history, with a budget of over 500 crores.

==Social impact==

Soaps affect Indian society, with regard to national integration, identity, [[Globalisation in India|globalisation]],<ref>Gokulsing, K. (2004). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4CAgVZ-lJFIC Soft-Soaping India: The World of Indian Televised Soap Operas]''. Trentham Books, UK. {{ISBN|1-85856-321-6}}. p. 105.</ref> [[Women in India|women]], ethics and social issues in rural areas.{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} The first Indian soap opera, ''[[Hum Log (TV series)|Hum Log]]'', began as a [[Family planning in India|family planning]] program, and although it quickly turned its focus to entertainment, it continued to embed pro-development messages which provided a model of utilizing the television serial as an "edutainment"  method that was followed by countries around the world.<ref name="AggarwalGupta2001">{{cite book|last1=Aggarwal|first1=Vir Bala|last2=Gupta|first2=V. S.|title=Handbook of Journalism and Mass Communication|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sCIf8MM1ZlAC&pg=PA208|access-date=1 February 2014|date=1 January 2001|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=9788170228806|pages=208–}}</ref>

=== Status in Pakistan ===

Indian soap operas were popular in Pakistan and Indian entertainment channels are widely watched, due to the [[mutual intelligibility]] between [[Urdu]] and [[Hindi]].<ref>[http://www.irastimes.org/Experiences_of_Lahore_and_Pakistan_Railway.htm]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112045945/http://www.irastimes.org/Experiences_of_Lahore_and_Pakistan_Railway.htm |date=12 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/75602/pakistani-women-love-indias-saas-bahu-sagas/|title=Pakistani women love India’s ‘saas-bahu’ sagas – The Express Tribune|publisher=Tribune.com.pk|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] has banned the showing of Indian films and soap operas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/current-events-social-issues/70682-indian-tv-channels-banned-pakistan.html|title=Indian TV Channels Banned in Pakistan|work=Pakistan Defence|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> The [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] has reported that [[cable television]] operators in Pakistan often violate the ban and air Indian television serials due to the high popularity and demand for these in Pakistan, and Indian television shows make up nearly 60 percent of all foreign programmes broadcast in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5263530.stm|title=BBC NEWS - South Asia - Pakistan allows Indian TV shows |publisher=News.bbc.co.uk |access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>

In June 2006, Pakistani comedian Rauf Lala participated and won the [[comedy]] television show, ''[[The Great Indian Laughter Challenge]]'' but could not be followed by fellow Pakistanis as the show was not allowed to be aired.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5120838.stm|title=BBC NEWS - South Asia - Pakistani comic's Indian joy|publisher=News.bbc.co.uk|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>  An official has commented that "[[Bollywood]] [and Indian television soaps] have invaded our homes".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4095232.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Entertainment - Pakistan confirms Bollywood ban|publisher=News.bbc.co.uk|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>

Indian television shows have contributed heavily to the Sanskritisation of Urdu in Pakistan, and it has been reported that many Hindi words such as ''namaste'' ([[wikt:नमस्ते|नमस्ते]]), ''[[wikt:maharani|maharani]]'' (महारानी) and ''chinta'' ([[wikt:चिंता|चिंता]]), which have been an inherent part of Sanskritized Hindi, have entered standard usage in Pakistan due to the influence of these soaps and [[Bollywood]] movies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/11/28/city/karachi/for-many-pakistanis-india-already-mfn/|title=For many Pakistanis, India already MFN|publisher=Pakistantoday.com.pk|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>

The viewing of Indian soaps has become so popular that mainstream newspapers such as the Pakistan Tribune often have feature articles on the shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/319826/10-things-i-hate-about-indian-soaps/|title=10 things I hate about Indian soaps|publisher=Tribune.com.pk|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> Since satellite connections offer uninterrupted coverage of Indian shows, many people have bought these to watch the programmes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8040017/Pakistanis-snap-up-Satellite-dishes-for-Indian-soaps.html|title=Pakistanis snap up Satellite dishes for Indian soaps|author=Rob Crilly in Islamabad|date=3 October 2010|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref>

Anti-Indian sentiment is reported in Pakistan and the two countries have fought four wars. However, the effect of Indian soap operas and [[Bollywood]] have resulted in an increase in how "favourably an ordinary Pakistani views [India and] Indians." Certain Indian tourists to Pakistan have said that people are particularly friendly if one is from [[India]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130403094215/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-27/special-report/30446463_1_serials-karachi-pakistanis]</ref>

After the ban on Indian shows, Turkish shows became popular in Pakistan and occupied the place Indian contents had.  

On 27 October 2018 The Supreme Court of Pakistan has reintroduced the ban on Indian content on local channels in the country. The channels like [[Filmazia]], [[Urdu1]] had shutdown Indian content for appropriate period of time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46003662|title=Pakistan bans Indian TV channels|date=2018-10-27|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-10-28|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1441739|title=SC reinstates ban on airing of Indian content on TV channels|last=Baloch|first=Shafi|date=2018-10-27|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-10-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

* [[Tamil television soap opera]]

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