Indian television drama

Indian television dramas (also known as Indian series colloquially known as serials ) are dramatic television programs written, produced, and filmed in India, with characters played by Indian actors and episodes broadcast on Indian televisions.

India's first television drama titled Hum Log (Hindi), aired from 1984 to 1985, and concluded with 154 episodes. Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000–08) became the first Indian television drama to cross 1000 episodes in the history of Indian Television, thus entering the Limca Book of Records, and completed its run with 1833 episodes. Char Divas Sasuche (Marathi) (2001–13) was the first Indian series to cross 2,000 and 3,000 episodes, also entering in Limca Book of Records, which concluded with 3,200 episodes. The Telugu series Abhishekam (2008–22) was the first Indian series with 4,000 episodes and concluded on 1 February 2022. The television drama Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2009–present) with 4450+ episodes is the longest-running Hindi TV show of India, and the longest-running soap opera, airing for 15 years as of 2024.

Indian series are made in almost all of the major languages in India, though many also contain a mix of the predominant language and English. Indian dramas are also broadcast in other parts of South Asia, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Western Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, North Africa, Southeast Africa, and francophone Africa.

History
India's first television drama was Hum Log, which first aired in 1984–85 and concluded with 154 episodes. It was the longest running serial in the history of Indian television at the time when it ended. It had an audience of 60 million, with each episode was about 25 minutes long, and the series finale episode was about 55 minutes. At the end of each episode, veteran Hindi film actor Ashok Kumar would discuss the ongoing story and situations with the audience using Hindi couplets and limericks. In later episodes, he would introduce the actors who played characters in the serial and end his monologue with the Indian language versions of the words "Hum Log". In 2002, StarPlus telecasted the period drama TV miniseries Asoka, based on the 2001 film of the same name, with a run of five episodes. .Seeta Aur Geeta is an Indian television drama series that aired on NDTV Imagine. was adapted from the Bollywood film of the same name (1972), written by Salim–Javed.

Biographies of famous people started being produced in the form of dramas like 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 based on the Indian history. Crime dramas also started being produced and aired. C.I.D. (1998–2018) follows a team of detectives belonging to the Crime Investigation Department in Mumbai. C.I.D. is the longest-running crime TV series in India, having a run of 20 years. Adaalat (2010–16) was an Indian television courtroom drama series which revolves around Advocate K. D. Pathak, a defense lawyer with an impeccable track record of winning cases and setting helpless innocent victims free, but not at the cost of upholding the truth. .Suraag – The Clue,Jasoos Vijay,Special Squad,Left Right Left,Chhoona Hai Aasmaan,Monica Mogre – Case Files, Adaalat,C.I.D, 24, CIF, Bhaukaal,Adrishyam – The Invisible Heroes,Code M were best known for reality ,thriller and crime series.Ek Hasina Thi & Beyhadh are best known for romantic-revenge and suspense type of series

The Indian mythological drama show, Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev, recorded the highest TRP of 8.2 in an episode.

Daytime dramas, Noon Slots and Prime time Retelecast repeat serials on daytimes were highly popular during the 2000s to 2010s, with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Gharana, Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kahiin to Hoga, Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki, Kkusum, Nadhaswaram, Waaris, Dishayen, Roja Kootam, Ganga Kii Dheej, Kolangal ,Metti Oli, Aanandham, Chithi ,Behenein,Saath Nibhaana Saathiya,Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya, Kasak, Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak? and Banoo Main Teri Dulhann. Porus, a historical drama, based on the Indian king Porus, premiered on Sony Entertainment Television on 27 November 2017 and ended on 13 November 2018. It is currently the most expensive show in Indian history, with a budget of over 500 crores.

During the late 2010s, the popularity of daytime dramas gradually declined. Today, there are no daytime dramas on any mainstream channel. Currently, the four major networks that air primetime television dramas with nationwide following are Colors TV, Star Plus, Sony Entertainment Television, Sun TV and Zee TV. After mid 2000s, the themes of Indian TV series began to change.More women-centric shows were made, such as Choti maa ek anokha bandhan, Jeete Hain Jiske Liye, Sujata, Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan, Karishma – The Miracles Of Destiny, Main Banoongi Miss India,Kolangal, Kucchh Pal Saath Tumhara, Yathumagi Nindrai, Adhikaar ek kasam ek tapasya, Hello Pratibha, Maddam Sir, Corporate Sarpanch, Appnapan – Badalte Rishton Ka Bandhan, Anupamaa, Ladies Special, Dheere Dheere Se, Main Hoon Aparajita, Thendral, Sevvanthi,Dhadkan Zindaggi Kii,Ethirneechal which gained popularity for their strong female protagonists.Few tele-series were created related to Parent-hood such as Basera ,Beta, Tera Yaar Hoon Main,Thangamana Purushan, Santaan ,Laut Aao Trisha,Mere Papa Hero Hiralal which had focused about struggles of parent & complicated Parent-Child relationships..

Social impact
TV dramas affect Indian society, with regard to national integration, identity, globalization, women, ethics and social issues in rural areas. The first Indian television drama series, Hum Log, began as a family planning program, and although it quickly turned its focus to entertainment, it continued to embed pro-development messages which provided a model of utilizing the television serial as an "edutainment" method that was followed by countries around the world.

A 2007 study of cable coming to rural India showed 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." It also "found suggestive evidence that exposure to cable increases school enrollment for younger children, perhaps through increased participation of women in household decision-making."

Sri Lanka
Yeh Hai Mohabbatein and Kasautii Zindagii Kay was dubbed in Sinhala and reached a great response. Kindurangana, which was remake of the Hindi serial Kasamh Se, also had a positive response in Sri Lanka.

Dubai
Khwaish, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television and ARY Digital, returned as a hit show in Dubai in 2007. In 2016, in response to audience interest, A-Plus TV dubbed the old popular romantic Hindi Colors TV serial Jeevan Sathi - Humsafar Zindagi Ke in Urdu.

Brazil
Caminho das Índias India: A Love Story was a popular Brazilian Soap Opera which has the Indian theme serial.

Ivory Coast and Senegal
Vaidehi – Ek Aur Agni Pareeksha was particularly popular in the Ivory Coast and Senegal. In 2010, the serial was dubbed in Arabic due to high request.

Nepal
In mid 2000s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasautii Zindagi Kay, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and other Indian dramas had influenced gained so much popularity & attracted to mass viewers in Nepal. Hence more Nepali serials like Sindur,Maiti,Ghat pratighat were made based on viewership.

Indonesia
Uttaran and Balika Vadhu did well in Indonesia and were dubbed in Indonesian and aired several times until they ended. Saath Nibhaana Saathiya also did well in Indonesia and was dubbed in Indonesian and aired under the title Gopi (after the main character) starting 15 September 2016 until 19 April 2017 and has been broadcast again in 2021-2022, the Indoneasean version of the serial reaching 600 episodes. Serials like Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Ishq Mein Marjawan, Kumkum Bhagya (in Indonesian under the title Lonceng Cinta), Anupamaa, Imlie, Naagin, and Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka also performed with good TRP in Indonesia. Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi aired in Indonesia and Woh Apna Sa was dubbed in Indonesian after the original Hindi version became popular.

Russia
Dishayen was dubbed in Russian and did well in Russia in 2005.

Pakistan
Indian dramas were popular in Pakistan and Indian entertainment channels are widely watched due to the mutual intelligibility between Urdu and Hindi. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has banned the showing of Indian films and TV shows. The British Broadcasting Corporation has reported that cable television operators in Pakistan often violate the ban and air Indian television serials due to the high popularity and demand for these in Pakistan, and Indian television shows make up nearly 60 percent of all foreign programs broadcast in Pakistan.

In June 2006, Pakistani comedian Rauf Lala participated and won the comedy television show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, but the show could not be followed by fellow Pakistanis as the show was not allowed to be aired there. An official had commented that "Bollywood and Indian TV drama have invaded our homes".

The viewing of Indian TV dramas has become so popular that mainstream newspapers such as the Pakistan Tribune often feature articles about the shows. Since satellite connections offer uninterrupted coverage of Indian shows, many people have bought these to watch the programs.

Anti-Indian sentiment is reported in Pakistan and the two countries have fought 4 wars over a span of about 50 years. However, the effect of Indian TV shows and Bollywood have resulted in an increase in how "favorably an ordinary Pakistani views [India and] Indians." Certain Indian tourists in Pakistan have said that people are particularly friendly if one is from India.

On October 27, 2018, The Supreme Court of Pakistan has reintroduced the ban on Indian content on local channels in the country. Channels like Filmazia and Urdu1 had shut down Indian content for a period of time.

Afghanistan
Indian soap operas became highly popular in Afghanistan during the 2000s against the backdrop of the existing popularity of Bollywood cinema. In 2006, a Reuters press article wrote of the airing of the series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, dubbed into native Dari. "Men, women, young and old anyone, it seems, with access to television is enthralled by the family drama."

According to a source, armed militants during the war in Afghanistan may have even stopped fighting to watch Indian dramas.

The strong popularity of Indian dramas was challenged by conservative hardliners who saw it as a threat to the country's religious and national values. Under pressure from conservatives, the government of Hamid Karzai ordered broadcasters to stop airing dramas in April 2008. However, broadcasters refused to comply, stating that it is against the country's media law.

The first homemade Afghan television drama serial was called Palwasha, produced by Aina Afghan Media and started airing on November 25, 2007. Although shot in Kabul and in Dari, the serial was directed by an Indian and other people working on the series were from India. Additionally, the main character was played by an Indian actress, Sonal Udeshi.

Other countries
As The Iron Handed Phantom – Mayavi, the series aired dubbed in Mandarin and Korean. .which also aired in Europe and Australia. Colors tele-dramas Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Balika Vadhu, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Chandrakanta, Udaan, Naagin, Shakti,Ishq Mein Marjawan and Bepannah from Viacom18’s general entertainment channel Colors dubbed in Thai to viewers in Thailand and other key south Asian markets.