From Ramayan to Shaktiman: 10 All-time favourite shows on Indian TV

There are some TV shows, back in 80s and 90s which still bring smiles to our faces. Be it our very own superhero Shatkimaan to TV show Shanti which was quite ahead of its time in terms of topic, story-telling and many other aspects- there are a number of shows which are still fresh in the minds of Indian TV audience. Let's take a look. (Photo: Instagram)

The television series Shaktiman has been the most famous superhero show during the 90s. The show aired on DD National from 1997 to 2005. The title role was played by the ace actor Mukesh Khanna, who was also the producer of the show as well. Shaktiman was known for his powers which he got from meditating. He would get his power from the five natural elements of nature- Space, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Recently Mukesh Khanna confirmed that the Shaktiman film trilogy is happening!

The most famous TV show at the time. Six confused and volatile cadets were central to the plot. The secret affair that developed between the show's two leads, Naina and Rajveer, drew a lot of attention. Every fan of this show would have a crush on all the characters. Left Right Left sit-com was a unique show and became quite popular within a short period of time.

Shararat managed to cast a spell on the TV audience, especially the young ones. In Shararat, magic was fun and the show surely brought a bright smile of joy on faces. The nok-jhok between Saasu maa & Damad was a lovely combination. Shararat was a magical show which was based on a family who is blessed with magical powers. This show was full of entertainment and friendship. Jia and Aditi’s friendship was all everyone would look for.

Shanti, which aired on DD National in 1994, was one of the most-watched series at the time. The plot focuses on two friends who own the country's largest Bollywood production house. Shanti, a female journalist, is investigating the two friends that live in the luxurious Shanti Mansion. Shanti made Mandira Bedi, the main character, a household name. It was proven that it was still relatable even after 15 years when Star Plus re-aired it in 2009.

This series, based on RK Narayan's popular series of children's books, was one of the first to get children interested in television. Malgudi Days premiered on DD National in 1987. Master Manjunath, who performed as the cute young boy Swami, was most children's hero at the time.

Byomkesh Bakshi, starring Rajat Kapur and KK Raina as Ajit Bandhopadhyay, was another series that piqued the curiosity, attention, and awe of viewers all across the world. Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay created the sleuth, but the series turned these Bengali stories into a national obsession. Byomkesh Bakshi premiered on DD National in 1993 and again in 1997.

Another crime television show CID which aired in 1997 had made people interested in watching it every time it aired on TV. CID is one of the longest-running shows on television as it has completed 21 years and it ended in 2018. Since the announcement, many viewers requested the channel to keep it on-air which was not possible. The show's famous characters were ACP Pradyuman, Abhijeet, and Daya who would investigate crimes in Mumbai.

Jaspal Bhatti's Flop Show was the series that started a pattern of sitcoms and sociopolitical critiques. The show, which made its debut on DD National in 1989, was written and directed by Satirist Jaspal Bhatti and produced by his wife Savita Bhatti. The phenomenal response to this 10-episode series attests to an emerging Indian society. Flop Show was later broadcast on other satellite channels.

Ramayan, a film by Ramanand Sagar, premiered on DD National in 1986. It taught India some valuable lessons that TV could be opulent, but it was also for the masses. For the first time, a television series had achieved such popularity. There were media stories of people conducting aarti in front of their televisions, and the characters became celebrities. It was later broadcast on other networks. During the lockdown, Ramayan was aired once again and enjoyed a huge popularity among today's generation.

When Ramayan ended on television in 1988, Indian households were devastated. It was time for BR Chopra to jump in and fill the void with Mahabharat. It achieved its goal in the sense that most shops and establishments were closed for 45 minutes as Mahabharat was broadcasted on DD National, and the streets of India were mostly empty.