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Indian soap opera

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Not to be confused with Bollywood.

  • This article is from the material of wikipedia Indian television drama

Indian television dramas, often called Indian series or serials, are scripted television programs made in India, featuring Indian actors. These dramas are broadcast on Indian television networks.[1][2]. India's first television drama, Hum Log (Hindi), aired from 1984 to 1985 and had 154 episodes.[3] Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000–2008) became the first Indian TV drama to surpass 1,000 episodes, with a total of 1,833 episodes, entering the Limca Book of Records.[4] The Marathi series Char Divas Sasuche (2001–2013) reached 3,200 episodes, becoming the first Indian series to exceed 3,000 episodes, also entering the Limca Book of Records. The Telugu series Abhishekam (2008–2022) was the first Indian show to reach 4,000 episodes, ending on 1 February 2022. The Hindi series Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2009–present), with over 4,500 episodes as of 2024, is India's longest-running Hindi TV drama and soap opera, airing for 16 years.[5]

Indian television dramas are produced in nearly all major languages spoken in India, often blending the local language with English. These shows are also broadcast in various parts of South Asia, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North and Latin America, and parts of Africa.[6][7]

Evolution of Indian Television (1984-2020)

Hum Log was India's first television drama, airing from 1984 to 1985 with a total of 154 episodes.[8] At the time, it was the longest-running serial in Indian television history. The show attracted around 60 million viewers, with each episode lasting about 25 minutes, except for the final episode, which was about 55 minutes long.[9]

Veteran Hindi film actor Ashok Kumar appeared at the end of each episode, where he discussed the story and situations using Hindi couplets and limericks. In later episodes, he introduced the actors playing the characters and ended his monologues with variations of the phrase "Hum Log."

Evolution of Television Serials (1985–2017)

Television serials have undergone significant transformations over the years, reflecting changing audience preferences, societal shifts, and advancements in production quality. The evolution can be broadly categorized into the following phases:

  • 1985–1990: Socially Driven Narratives & Literary Adaptations – Focus on social issues, civic concerns, and moral dilemmas, often adapted from literature. Televised telefilms and anthologies were popular.
  • 1990–1997: Emotionally Driven, Character-Centric Stories – Shift towards personal struggles, relationships, and self-discovery, with deeper emotional themes.
  • 1998–2002: Rise of Family Dramas – Family-centric storytelling gained popularity, focusing on interpersonal relationships and generational conflicts in a limited episode format.
  • 2003–2008: Modern Family Dramas & Youth-Centric Themes – Stories evolved to reflect career aspirations, changing values, and contemporary lifestyles, appealing to younger audiences.
  • 2007–2017: Stylized, Multi-Season Family Dramas – Peak of high-budget, long-running serials with generation leaps, elaborate sets, and dramatic narratives, spanning multiple seasons.
Years Themes Types of serials Notes
1985–1990
  • Novel based and Novel type stories such as
  • Social issues
  • Social evils(social problem.)
  • Social injustice and pain
  • Social systems
  • Civic issues
  • Crimes
  • Income issue
  • Classical arts (musical,dance)related dramas such as Noopur TV Series 1990–& Phoolwanti
  • Family loss

(Drama genres)

  • Social drama
  • Novel type dramas
    • i) Trishna inspired by Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice
    • ii) Malgudi Days based on R. K. Narayan's 1943 work
  • Sitcom (Wagle Ki Duniya)from 1988 to 1990.
  • Classic dramas
1991–1997
  • Romantic Dramatic, Emotional series, Friendships, Relationships
  • Particular Individual life story and perspective
1998–2002
  • Rise and Popularity of Family Dramas
 Rise after Family dramas popularity after Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
  • CID first Indian police procedural television series
  • Suraag – The Clue is an Indian television first detective-crime drama series
2003–2006
  • Family Tv Dramas created to attract younger generation audience in fashionable manner
2007–2016
2017–2020
  • Few tele series made with T.v main leads or parallel leads as Dabang (authoritative/rebel)type of roles.which created strong impact.[14]
  • In mid 2000's Tv serial from Balaji Telefilms Limited which launched a Tamil serial with new rare concept Kanavaru kahawhich had 2 leads The Main lead was Actor Sujitha & the serial had next lead character played by Ahalya fame Tinky Simar Kaur as Padmini with Strong headed personality.
  • Parvati sehgal played second lead with negative shades and aggressive type in Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya.[15]
  • From 2017 Rural based dramas were decreased ,Rural based dramas had strong content which ran for short period of time Laado 2 which was the sequel of the 2009-2012 series Na Aana Is Des Laado ran for 7 months ending 130 episodes,There was a change in viewers point of view

1980 and 1990s Notable Telefilms & Televised series

2000's Telefilms in Televised series format(weekly)

Rapid Expansion and Emerging Trends in the Early 2000s

In 2002, StarPlus aired a period drama miniseries titled Asoka, based on the 2001 film of the same name. The series had a limited run of five episodes.[16][17]

By the late 2010s, the popularity of daytime and afternoon dramas had declined, and currently, no mainstream channels broadcast such programs.[18] Today, the major networks with nationwide prime-time television dramas are Colors TV, Star Plus, Sony Entertainment Television, Sun TV, and Zee TV. In 2017, networks attempted to regain viewership by reintroducing shows in the afternoon and daytime slots. Star Plus briefly revived the afternoon slot, but it ended by September 30, 2017.[19]

Kinds of Dramas

Army Training Academy-Related Series

Left Right Left on SAB TV followed the story of six cadets at an Indian Army academy.

Betrayal series

Biographical Dramas

Biographical dramas based on historical figures gained popularity on Indian television. Notable examples include Chanakya, Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan, Veer Shivaji, Jhansi Ki Rani, Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur, Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Rudramadevi. These shows depicted significant moments and figures from Indian history.

Comedy Shows

Popular comedy shows include Khushiyan, Soni Mahiwal, Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, Bhaskar Bharti, Mrs. & Mr. Sharma Allahabadwale, Chintu Chinki Aur Ek Badi Si Love Story, Maddam Sir.

Comedy Sitcoms

Well-known sitcoms include

Crime Dramas and Thriller Series

Crime dramas have been a staple of Indian television. C.I.D. (1998–2018) followed a team of detectives from Mumbai's Crime Investigation Department and became the longest-running crime show in India, airing for 20 years. Other notable crime and thriller series include Suraag – The Clue, Jasoos Vijay, Special Squad, Monica Mogre – Case Files, Adaalat, C.I.D., 24, CIF, and Zindagi Badal Sakta Hai Hadsaa.

Cultural clash serials

Emotional-Psychological abuse series

Fashion-Related Series

Main Banoongi Miss India and Lipstick were notable series focused on fashion.

Fantasy Series

Fantasy shows like Son Pari, Arslaan, Savitri – Ek Prem Kahani, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Hatim, and Antariksh – Ek Amar Katha were popular in the early 2000s. Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga aired on Sony SAB from 2018 to 2021.

Flight Attendant and Aviation-Related Series

Air Hostess aired on DD National and was produced by Rupesh Gohil. Airlines, produced by Miditech, featured Tulip Joshi and VJ Yudhishtir in lead roles. Other aviation-related series include Saara Akaash and Chhoona Hai Aasmaan, centered on the air force.[20][21]

Historical Series

Porus, a historical drama about the Indian king Porus, aired on Sony Entertainment Television from 27 November 2017 to 13 November 2018. It is known as one of the most expensive shows in Indian television history, with a budget of over ₹500 crore.[22]

Other popular historical series include 21 Sarfarosh – Saragarhi 1897, Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, Bharatvarsh, Swaraj, Ek Veer Stree Ki Kahaani – Jhansi Ki Rani.

Historical Comedy Drama

Tenali Rama, based on the life of the Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna, aired on Sony SAB starting on 11 July 2017.

Language Fun series(edutainment show)

Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain:2008 series of Imagine TV (NDTV Imagine) played by Shernaz Patel who played the role of a English Language Trainer in Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain

Legal Drama Series

In 1993, DD Metro aired Kanoon, a courtroom drama with 111 episodes produced by B. R. Chopra.[23] Another notable legal drama was Adaalat (2010–2016), which focused on a defense lawyer, Advocate K. D. Pathak, played by Ronit Roy.

Naagina series|Vishkanya|Bhoothani series

Parental Conflict Series

Shows like Rishton Ka Chakravyuh and Maya explored the complexities of parental relationships but had shorter runs.

Political family drama

Revenge Series

Revenge-thriller shows gained significant attention.[24] such as

Royal family or Ancestral family series

  • Love story:(Drama)
  • Family drama story:(Drama)
    • Thirumagal:Family Feuds, Greed, Ego and Value Destruction,Usurp,fraud,Murder to get Royal position status :
  • Romantic-Thriller type of series:(Telefilm series)
  • Ancestor Proper
  1. ↑ "Indian TV Serial or Korean Drama: What Does an Indian Viewer Prefer?". Sakshipost. 4 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
  2. ↑ Pak-Hind Ka Swag, Book 5 "Culture, Technology and fun", chapter 16 "soap opera, Serials and Films"
  3. ↑ "SOAP OPERAS CAST A SPELL OVER INDIA". The New York Times. 21 August 1985.
  4. ↑ Saas Bahu and the End
  5. ↑ Shekhar, G. C. (6 September 2018). "More Spellbinding Soap Gathas". Outlook. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  6. ↑ Pandey, Geeta. "BBC - Culture - Indian soap operas : Family affairs". BBC Culture.
  7. ↑ "India Marginalized in Myanmar". 20 July 2013.
  8. ↑ Kohli, Vanita (14 June 2006). The Indian Media Business. SAGE Publications. pp. 1–. ISBN 9780761934691. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Gokulsing, K. Moti (2004). Soft-soaping India: The World of Indian Television Soap Operas. Trentham Books. pp. 32–. ISBN 9781858563213. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Big screen actors Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty will soon appear on small screen to promote Apoorva Lakhia's forthcoming film Shootout At Lokhandwala". Bollywood Hungama. 3 May 2007.
  11. ↑ "इतिहास रचने वाला सीरियल:'क्योंकि सास भी कभी बहू थी' को 20 साल पूरे, एकता बोलीं- गुजरात भूकंप के वक्त लोगों ने टीवी बाहर रख इसे देखा था". Dainik Bhaskar. 3 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Grihdaah ...A classic based on the one of the best novel of Sharatchand".
  13. ↑ "Saraswatichandra not a love story". Live Mint. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020.
  14. ↑ "Anaami from Chakravyuh to Ragini from Agnifera: We need more such feisty girls to transform Indian TV". indiatoday. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  15. ↑ "Parvati Sehgal interview". times of india. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "Keep date with Asoka". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018.
  17. ↑ "indya.com - Asoka". Archived from the original on 14 April 2003. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  18. ↑ "Star Dopahar to call it a day, all shows to end on September 30". Indian Express. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  19. ↑ "Star Dopahar to bring again with four new shows". economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  20. ↑ "Air alert". umbaimirror.indiatimes.com.
  21. ↑ "Tulip Joshi returns to TV with Airlines - Har Udaan Ek Toofan". The Times of India. 22 August 2014.
  22. ↑ Mathur, Abhimanyu. "India's most expensive TV show has bigger budget than Animal, Dunki, Fighter combined, no star; compared to Baahubali". dnaindia.com. DNA India. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  23. ↑ "B R Chopra back with courtroom drama". 15 December 1993. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  24. ↑ "Top 5 revenge dramas on Indian TV with dramatic twists; from Mouni Roy's Naagin to Nakuul Mehta's Ishqbaaz". pinkvilla.com. 12 August 2024.
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