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Indian television dramas, often called Indian series or Indian 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 4,700 episodes as of 2025, is India's longest-running Hindi TV drama and soap opera, airing for 16 years.[5]
By the late 2010s, the popularity of daytime and afternoon dramas had declined, and currently, no mainstream channels broadcast such programs.[8] Today, the major networks with nationwide prime-time television dramas are JioStar, Zee, Sun TV and ETV. In 2017, networks attempted to regain viewership by reintroducing shows in the afternoon and daytime slots.
Hum Log was India's first television drama, airing from 1984 to 1985 with a total of 154 episodes.[9] 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.[10]
Impact
TV dramas have had a Significant impact on Indian society, influencing issues related to national integration, identity, globalization,[11]women, ethics, and social issues in rural areas.[18] The first Indian television drama series, Hum Log, originally began as a family planning program but quickly shifted its focus to entertainment. Despite this, it continued to incorporate pro-development messages, serving as a model for utilizing television serials as an "edutainment" method—a practice that has been adopted by countries around the world.[12]
A 2007 study examining the introduction of cable television in rural India revealed that it led to "significant decreases in the reported acceptability of domestic violence towards women and son preference, as well as increases in women's autonomy and decreases in fertility." The study also provided "suggestive evidence that exposure to cable television increases school enrollment for younger children, possibly through the increased participation of women in household decision-making."[13][14]
Television rating point and rankings
After 2000's Indian television serials are based on Target rating point as an indicator and benchmark that signifies a TV programme's success & measures people's interests/viewership .[15] Story line changes based on TRP and sometimes most of the serials have to wrap up soon with quick end due to decrease in the level of TRP's.[16]
TRPs are calculated using the denominator as the Total Number of People in the Target Audience, and the numerator as the Number of People Who Watched the Program in the Target Audience multiplied by 100.TRP's can also be calculated
TRP = (Number of viewers in the sample audience / Total target audience) * 100.[citation needed]
International reception
Afghanistan
Indian soap operas gained immense popularity in Afghanistan during the 2000s, building on the pre-existing popularity of Bollywood cinema in the region. In 2006, a Reuters article highlighted the airing of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, dubbed into Dari, captivating a broad audience.[17]
Men, women, young, and old—anyone with access to television—became enthralled by the family drama.
According to reports, during the war in Afghanistan, armed militants may have even paused their fighting to watch Indian dramas.[18]
However, the strong popularity of Indian dramas faced opposition from conservative hardliners who viewed them as a threat to the country's religious and national values. In response to conservative pressure, the government of Hamid Karzai ordered broadcasters to cease airing Indian dramas in April 2008. Broadcasters, however, refused to comply, arguing that the order violated the country's media law.[19]
Afghanistan's first homemade television drama serial, Palwasha, produced by Aina Afghan Media, began airing on November 25, 2007. Though shot in Kabul and in Dari, the series was directed by an Indian director, with several key contributors hailing from India. Additionally, the main character was portrayed by Indian actress Sonal Udeshi.[20][21][22][23]
Rab Se Sohna Isshq from Zee TV a love triangle story aired in London.[28] This was the first ever cross continental show in Indian television.The show was dubbed into English as Eternal Love and broadcast on Zee World & its sister channel Zee TV UK.[29]
In the mid-2000s, Indian dramas such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagi Kay gained massive popularity in Nepal, attracting large audiences.[30] This surge in popularity led to the production of more Nepali serials, such as Sindur, Maiti, and Ghat Pratighat, which were created to cater to the growing viewership.[31]
Pakistan
Indian dramas have been widely popular in Pakistan, with Indian shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi becoming number 1 against Pakistani Serials. Indians shows were extensively watched due to the mutual intelligibility between Urdu and Hindi.[32][33] However, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has banned the broadcasting of Indian films and TV shows.[34] Despite this, the BBC reported that many cable television operators in Pakistan continue to violate the ban, airing Indian television serials due to their high demand. Indian TV shows make up nearly 60% of all foreign programs broadcast in Pakistan.[35]
In June 2006, Pakistani comedian Rauf Lala won the Indian comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, but Pakistanis could not follow the show as it was not allowed to air in Pakistan.[36] An official remarked that "Bollywood and Indian TV drama have invaded our homes".[37]
Indian TV dramas have become so popular in Pakistan that mainstream newspapers, such as the Pakistan Tribune, often feature articles about the shows.[38] Many viewers have resorted to satellite connections to enjoy uninterrupted coverage of Indian programs.[39]
Despite the historical anti-Indian sentiment in Pakistan and the fact that the two countries have fought four wars over a span of about 50 years, Indian TV shows and Bollywood have led to a shift in perception, with many ordinary Pakistanis viewing India and Indians more favorably. Indian tourists visiting Pakistan have noted that people tend to be particularly friendly when they discover that the visitor is from India.[40]
On October 27, 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan reinstated the ban on Indian content on local channels. Channels such as Filmazia and Urdu1 subsequently shut down Indian content for a period.[41][42]
Russia
The Indian serial Dishayen was dubbed in Russian and gained popularity in Russia in 2005.
Sri Lanka
The Hindi serials Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay were dubbed in Sinhala and received a great response in Sri Lanka. Another popular show, Kindurangana, which was a remake of the Hindi serial Kasamh Se, also garnered a positive reception from Sri Lankan audiences.'Shanti'serial which was popular during 90's was dubbed in Sinhalese and aired in Sri Lanka .[43]
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