Indian drama TV shows have a massive following. But, these shows are not cheap to produce. Devon Ke Dev Mahadev costs 14 lakh per episode, according to reports. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Spoilers Upcoming Story
Another Amazon India original, Breathe is the story of a father who will go to any lengths to save his son.
Thapki Pyar Ki
Jigyasa Singh, who shocked the audiences with her performance as a transgender Heer in the Colors TV series Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsas Ki, is back again as Thapki in the sequel of the same show, which has been titled Thapki Pyar Ki 2. The show is a perfect mix of drama and romance. Thapki is a smart woman who has a stammering problem but it does not stop her from achieving success. She is inspired by her mother Veena Singhania who was a famous singer.
Her dream is to become a renowned singer like her idol Veena Singhania. Veena’s son, Purab is a wealthy man who has a soft spot for Thapki. He is in love with Hansika, but he promised Veena that he would support Thapki.
Thapki gets her dream role as a playback singer in a music company. She gets noticed by the top Bollywood composer Aakash Chawla. He offers her a contract with his label, and she accepts. However, she is unaware that he is a married man.
When she tries to make it big as a playback singer, her stammering becomes an impediment. She is unable to deliver the songs and loses her confidence. She is advised by her mother to get married.
She meets Bihaan and falls in love with him. Thapki’s stammering doesn’t stop them from getting married. They have twin daughters, Tina and Bani. Later, gangster Shraddha kidnaps Bani and attempts to forcefully marry her to her son. Bihaan rescues her. She is then blackmailed by Sankar, Kosi’s husband, and is forced to leave him.
Swaragini
Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, 'Swaragini' revolves around Bengali mom ki beti Swara and Marwari chori Ragini who live in neighbouring families. Their family feud serves as the backdrop to their convoluted love lives. Ragini falls for a handsome boy named Sanskar while Swara is head over heels for Lakshya Maheshwari, who happens to be a rich widower.
The melodrama and the lack of realism make this soap opera feel like a throwback to the Ekta Kapoor era. The show also makes a mockery of sensitive issues like rape. However, if you're into mindless entertainment with some good acting, then you might enjoy this.
The budgets of TV shows are soaring with actors, directors and scriptwriters getting paid never-heard-of amounts for their services. For example, a single episode of mythological shows such as Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev (DKD) costs its producers 14 lakh rupees. This is mainly because of the huge number of special effects required.
Despite the steep costs, Indian producers are still able to sell these shows in foreign markets. As a result, the country's soaps have become a household name in countries from Serbia to Kenya. 'Balika Vadhu' and 'Uttaran' are two such examples.
Nevertheless, India's soaps have a long way to go before they catch up with the standards set by overseas serials. Until then, it's best to avoid them at all costs. The best Indian drama serials are those that are based on true stories or have some kind of social message in them. The other ones are simply over-produced and overly melodramatic. Moreover, they tend to glamorize violence and other negative aspects of life. Hence, they're unsuitable for younger audiences.
Chhanchhan
Sanaya Irani who was seen as Khushi in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, is back on the small screen with Chhanchhan. This serial is about a girl with a modern outlook who marries into an authoritarian Gujarati family and tries to change their rules. It is a refreshing break from tear jerker soaps. However, it does have its predictable moments. For example, when Chhanchhan heaves a sigh whispering that no one should have a saas like Uma Ben, we know she will accost her again.
Chhanchhan is a fun show to watch. The story is set in Ahmedabad and the show explores how a bubbly young woman uses her smarts to set her dysfunctional family right. The cast also includes Supriya Pathak and newcomer Anuj Sachdeva.
The show is a treat to watch for pet lovers. It has not just one but four adorable dogs who are so cute that they will win the hearts of viewers. In fact, the black cuddly dog of Chhanchhan has already become a celebrity in its own right.
The saga also has some dark scenes that might disturb the sensitive viewers. For example, when the police arrive to investigate the murder of Harish Borisagar, Manav fights with the claimant and is arrested. This causes the family’s business to lose money and they are insulted by people in society. Then, a legal case is filed that states the family’s company supplied poor quality materials. Rupali is behind all these things and Chhanchhan realises that she and Manav are being targeted. The next day, when Chhanchhan goes to her sister’s parlor, she meets a girl named Sonali and discovers that her fiance’s full name is Manav Borisagar.
Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki
After 14 years, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki has finally returned on television. The popular show aired on STAR PLUS and became one of the most famous TV shows of its time. The cast of the show included Sakshi Tanwar, Ali Asgar, Anup Soni, Shweta Kawatra, and Achint Kaur among others. This popular Ekta Kapoor production is a cult-classic that will be remembered by audiences for years to come.
The popularity of Indian soaps has even spread to overseas markets, with viewers from Serbia to Kenya lapping up typically domestic fare such as Pavitra Rishta and Uttaran. This has opened up newer markets for the producers as well. The popularity of these TV serials has made actors such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar household names outside India.
However, producing a TV show is not an inexpensive affair anymore. Apart from escalating infrastructure costs, directors and writers are being paid unprecedented prices for their services. Scriptwriters are reportedly being offered more than a lakh per episode for their services! Moreover, the cost of hiring expensive equipment and creating high-end sets is on the rise as well.
As a result, it is no surprise that the production costs for an average TV soap are on the rise. For example, mythological show Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev (DKD) reportedly has a separate graphics department comprising 90 people, which explains the staggering price tag of 14 lakh rupees per episode. This makes DKD the most expensive TV serial on air at present.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Indian soaps are working up more lather than ever in foreign markets, with viewers from Serbia to Kenya lapping up the typically domestic fare. It’s opening up newer markets for producers and actors alike. Actors from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and other shows are becoming household names beyond the Indian borders.
Smriti Irani dominated the small screen as the ideal daughter-in-law Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi baathi Thi. Her popularity in the role led to her winning many awards and accolades. Irani went on to launch her own production house and also do movies and TV commercials.
It was around the same time that a wave of daytime dramas hit the screens in the 1990s and 2000s, with shows like Kasauti Zindagi Kay, Aanandham,Saathii Re,Kumkum and Hamari Devrani. They were a big draw and appealed to people of all ages.
Mythological serials were the next trend, with shows such as Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev (DKD) breaking all records. The show had a separate graphic department with 90 employees who were devoted to creating special effects. The show had the highest TRPs in the history of Indian television and became a national phenomenon.
The show revolved around the wealthy Gujarati Virani family and their three daughters-in-law who control every aspect of the home. Wise and kind mother-in-law Amba tries to keep her family happy but the arrogant Payal, Daksha and Gayatri make things difficult for her.
Hussain Kuwajerwala starred as Mihir Virani’s cousin brother in the show. After the show ended, he tried his hands at other shows like ’Shabaash India’, ’Khullja Sim Sim’ season 2 and even participated in the reality show ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ in 2015. He is currently hosting the show ‘Indian Idol Junior’ with co-host Asha Negi.