Indian soap opera

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	Rajani Nukkad Kissa Kathmandu Mein Udaan Isi Bahane	(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	Doosra Keval Aurat Shanti Junoon Hasratein Tara Swabhimaan Beta Sneha Ek Raja Ek Rani Waqt ki Raftar Ithihaas Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai	First Romantic serial Phir Wahi Talash Melodrama with intense plots, heightened emotion and Emotional dramas, Tragic-drama,Legal Drama (Kannoon) Hum paanch, Tu Tu Main Main well known comic drama Family drama relationships (story line based)which dealt with sensitive relationships strained relations,stigmatized Relationships Family loss
1998–2002	Rise and Popularity of Family Dramas	Sukanya Kora kagaaz Heena Kanyadaan Kavita AAshirwaad Dollar Bahu Kasamm Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye Rishtey Babul Ki Duwayen Leti Jaa Mehndi Tere Naam Ki Tu Kahe Agar Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani	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	Kasautii Zindagii Kay Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand Kyun Hota Hai Pyar Kutumb Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai Dishayen Tumhari Disha Kasamh Se	In 2005 Integration episode(Mahasangam), Tv star Guest appearances ,Film actor Guest appearances for Promotion of film started to begin in serials and reboot, spin off of more seasons were made for serial popularity. Sahara One launched novel based serial Sahib Biwi Gulam series is based on the 1953 Bengali novel Saheb Bibi Golam by Bimal Mitra which starred Actor Raveena Tandon was directed by Rituparno Ghosh with 104 episodes Grihdaah Tv drama based on the one of the best novel of Sharatchand Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's epic novel. Karishma – The Miracles Of Destiny, Virrudh, Shikwah, Waaris had been critically acclaimed for its story and power packed performances. Savithri (2010 TV series) which aired on Jaya TV played by Actor Sanghavi had 150 episodes & had strong emotional content Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Khichdi, Shararat – Thoda Jaadu, Thodi Nazaakat best sitcoms.
2007–2016	In mid 2006 few family dramas came with two heroine leads with (Khatte Meethe version) Contrasting personalities,This trend had popularity after Uttaran followed by Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Amrit Manthan & Sasural Simar Ka. whereas in (2001-2010) past years serials dealt with twins and similar faces Doppelgänger were popular Multi heroine leads in tv soaps were launched.Eg. Kahiin to Hoga Maayka Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann Mehndi Tere Naam Ki Hamari Betiyoon Ka Vivaah Betiyaan Apni Yaa... Paraaya Dhan Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai Behenein Kasak Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai Pirivom Santhippom (Remake of Bidaai serial) Roja Kootam Amber Dhara Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? Athipookal Uravugal This (Khatte Meethe version contrasting personality) trend took South TV serials after the remake of Saath Nibhaana Saathiya from 2013 During mid 2006's love story serials increased which attracted only the specific audience younger generation at that time and could not extend long run .so the content makers started to develop family dramas which included romance to cover the whole mass audience with all age groups (Middle aged and old).Eg. Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Tere liye Kadhalikka Neramillai Ek Ladki Anjaani Si Kkavyanjali Jabb Love Hua Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani Chand Ke Paar Chalo Kya Dill Mein Hai Saathii Re Jeevan Saathi – Humsafar Zindagi Ke	TV serials which brought negative role as second main lead Gharana....Role Pranjal Kothari Lakshmi....Role Nethra Kayamath....Role Ayesha Dahhej (2007 TV series)...Role krithika Uttaran..Role Tapasya Saath Nibhaana Saathiya...Role Rashi and Role Meera Maharani....Role Rani Deivam Thandha Veedu & Chandanamazha (Remake of Saath Nibhaana Saathiya)...Role of Rashi played in regional language version(Malayalam :varsha);(Tamil :priya) Thalayanai Pookal..Role Kalpana & Mallika Devathaiyai Kanden...Role Bavithra Saarrthi season 2...Role Shefali Yuvraj Goenka Chandralekha...Role lekha Raja Rani season2...Role Archana Savitri Devi College & Hospital....Role by Actor Sonica Handa as Gayatri Raisinghania(pivotal role) Ek Hasina Thi.... Role by Actor Simone Singh as Sakshi Goenka (Pivotal role) Pivotal roles which stole the screen space and matched to lead eg: The character of Thiripura Sundhari Laxmanan played by Yuvarani Bhuvaneshwari Laxmanan played by Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran / Sudha Chandran in Thendral which had 3 main leads Rupal Patel as Kokila Desai Modi in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya which had two main leads **Takurain played by Asmita Sharma in Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya Abiramavalli "Abirami" Madhanplayed by Brinda Das in Anandham (TV series)	(2008–16) Village people Dramas were very popular After the serial of Durgesh Nandinii, and Balika Vadhu More tele serials popped up related to obstacles faced by Rural life of residing people Na Aana Is Des Laado Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo Ganga Kii Dheej Bandini Laagi Tujhse Lagan Do Saheliyaan... Kismat Ki Kathputaliyaan Main Baabul ke Des Adhikaar ek kasam ek tapasya Sanskaar Laxmi Tere Mere Sapne Waaris (2016 TV series) Ek Veer Ki Ardaas...Veera Nadhaswaram. 2013:Saraswatichandra which was produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali inspired on Saraswatichandra by Govardhanram Tripathi. 2016:Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai which is Musical drama television series of two sisters who are musical singers which puts them in distance,rivalry and misunderstandings.
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. 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.	Tv serials with main leads or parallel leads as Dabang (authoritative/rebel)type Agnifera... Yukti Kapoor as Ragini Rishton Ka Chakravyuh... Mahima Makwana as Anami Baldev Singh Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya ;Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 2 ....Parvati Sehgal as Komal Singh Thakur Azhagu (TV series)...VJ Sangeetha as Poorna	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