Long before YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime and other mediums of entertainment like these, people used to turn to their TV sets for some quality content to watch and learn from.
India hasn’t always been the land of saas-bahu and period drama TV shows, it has been the land of progressive and relatable shows too. Along with that, earlier television days saw a long list of interesting, funny and relatable TV shows, lakhs of people religiously used to follow.
In fact, the shows telecasted in the earlier days of television in India were more transforming and progressive in comparison to anything else currently available to the audience. We no longer get to see shows that shed light on women as a single parent or something that tells the story of a bunch of kids from a village, just living their life. Even Khichdi and Office Office was quality content and there’s absolutely nothing in comparison to them.
Which is why we decided to take a quick trip back to the glorious days of Hindi TV shows. Here are 10 Hindi TV shows that were not only loved by the audience but also redefined the television for them.
1. Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne
Admit it, someone old around you has at least once used this phrase to you when you’re over-imaging about life. It was a great show with some of the best actors in the business and it revolved around Mungerilal who’d dream about his adventures. In fact, Hollywood movie, Secret Life of Walter Mitty is actually based on this.
2. Dekh Bhai Dekh
This was a show with one of the most fun to sing-along with the title track. It was a very popular comedy show that went on for a long long time, even after wrapping up, all thanks to the reruns.
3. Tara
Tara was not just a show, it was something that the Indian audience never expected to see or even work, for that matter. But people saw it, loved it and learned a lot from it. Tara was known as the first ever Indian soap on contemporary urban women, and was the first Hindi language drama series that ran for about 5 years. The show was, in fact, the first of its kind to bring Feminism on the table for the Indian audience.
4. Byomkesh Bakshi
Byomkesh Bakshi was probably the first detective, and even the greater one, for a lot of Indian who absolutely loved the show. It was one of the most thrilling and interesting shows on the television at that time, that the audience loved to tune into.
5. Malgudi Days
Malgudi Days was based on R.K. Narayan’s popular by the same name that revolved around Swami and his group of friends. There were so many great things about the show that the audience loved, but the simplicity of the show topped it all.
6. Movers and Shakers
Talk shows are considered to be an American thing and they’ve always been, however, Shekhar Suman’s Movers and Shakers had a stature of its own among the viewers. Every who’s who from the country was invited to the show for a comic rollercoaster.
7. Shaktimaan
Keeping aside all the Marvel and DC that we live on today, Shaktimaan was one of the most amazing superheroes we as a child got to come across. He was strong, charming and most of all amazing for all the work he did.
8. Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai
Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai was a show made popular with all the reruns it acquired. Everyone used to live on these reruns and fell in love with the show, sadly the fame came late for the show after it officially ended. However, looking at the popularity, the makers of the show decided to bring it back, but on the web this time and everyone loved it.
9. Shrimaan Shrimati
If you in any which way like Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain? Then must check this show out. Shrimaan Shrimati was built on the premise of love the neighbour’s wife, something a lot of TV shows carried out after this one.
10. Khichdi
Comedy shows were at their peak in late 90s early 00s, with something great coming every other year. Khichdi was one of those guilty pleasures that no one could stop watching. From hook lines to certain character traits, we all still remember all of them even today.
Good news, the show is coming back and it looks amazing than ever.
Which one was your favourite from the lot? Or out of these ones.
Jyotsna Amla