Besides the usual romance and action based TV serials, there is a wide range of fantasy and crime oriented shows in India. These shows usually focus on the lives of a family and its members. These series are popular in the country. Various channels such as Star Plus, Disney + Hotstar, and Zee 5 air these shows. They are also broadcast in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The first Indian television series, Hum Log, was aired in 1984-85. It was made for the Indian middle class and was a hit.
The show starred K.K. Raina and Rajit Kapur. The show ended after the 154th episode.
Several Indian television serials have a mixture of both the language used in the country as well as English. They are usually based on mythology or patriotism. In recent years, new elements have been introduced in these serials. These include the use of reincarnations, which make the serials more interesting. The characters undergo mental transformations, get into accidents, undergo plastic surgery, and come back as a new person.
The cast of these shows are usually an uber-virtuous female lead, a beti, and a bahu. In most of these shows, the villains are always pulling the strings on the female lead.
Another popular serial was Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, which was a comedy series in the early 1980s. The plot revolved around a family, which had funny happenings. The character of the lead played a different role in each episode. The story aired on Zee TV. In this show, a village girl named Imlie was forced to marry a journalist. She later learns that her to-be husband is already married.
Other Indian dramas are based on the lives of famous people.
There are many shows that are based on the life of King Ashoka, Maratha king Shivaji, and Indian kings. Some of the more popular mythological shows are Ramyan, Mahabharat, and Jai Shri Krishna Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai written update. There are also fantasy series such as Brahmarakshas, Chandrakantha - Ek Mayavi Gatha, and Crime Patrol. In recent times, the crime genre has started to be aired in India.
The longest running Indian television series was Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. It aired on Zee channel for 1833 episodes, and subsequently, it was aired in Afghanistan and Central Asia. It was followed by Sasural Simar Ka, which aired for 2000 episodes.
Another famous TV serial was Buniyaad, which was based on the partition of India. The serial was produced by Ekta Kapoor and aired on Zee TV.
It is considered the first Indian late evening soap opera. The show was a huge hit, and the actors who starred in it were Rajit Kapur and K.K. Raina. This serial was a huge success, and it is now being aired on Zee 5.
In the recent years, Indian TV serials have been trying to make their shows more appealing. The writers have added more elements, such as sanskar, which are usually present in the serials. A sanskar is a symbol of humility and joy. It is also a great way to create cliffhangers. The Tulsi plant is a popular symbol for sanskar.
