The Indian TV serials that glued us to the screen include Mahabharat, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Balika Vadhu, Diya Aur Baati Hum, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Naagin, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Crime Patrol, Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. Several of them are still on air, or have returned, in 2026.
These shows ran for years, sometimes decades, and became part of daily family routine. Below are the 10 serials, what made each one popular, and where they stand now.
Quick facts: 10 iconic Indian TV serials
| Serial | First aired | Channel | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahabharat | 1988 | DD National | Ended 1990, re-aired in 2020 |
| Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi | 2000 | Star Plus | Sequel on air since July 2025 |
| Kasautii Zindagii Kay | 2001 | Star Plus | Ended 2008, reboot 2018 to 2020 |
| Crime Patrol | 2003 | Sony Entertainment Television | On air |
| Balika Vadhu | 2008 | Colors TV | Ended 2016 |
| Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | 2008 | Sony SAB | On air |
| Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai | 2009 | StarPlus | On air |
| Bade Achhe Lagte Hain | 2011 | Sony Entertainment Television | Ended 2014, sequels followed |
| Diya Aur Baati Hum | 2011 | StarPlus | Ended 2016 |
| Naagin | 2015 | Colors TV | Season 7 ended June 2026 |
1. Mahabharat
B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, directed by his son Ravi Chopra, aired on DD National from October 1988 to 1990 in 94 episodes. It brought the epic, its large cast of characters and its moral questions into homes across the country.
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The show found a new audience during the 2020 lockdown, when it was re-telecast on DD Bharati and other channels. During that rerun it became the second most-watched Indian show after Ramayan.
2. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Produced by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms, the show ran on Star Plus from July 2000 to November 2008 for 1,833 episodes. Smriti Irani’s Tulsi Virani became one of the best-known characters in Indian television, and the show put the saas-bahu family drama at the centre of prime time.
Updated for 2026: Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 premiered on 29 July 2025 on StarPlus and JioHotstar, with Smriti Irani back as Tulsi and Amar Upadhyay as Mihir. It is still running.
3. Balika Vadhu
Balika Vadhu aired on Colors TV from July 2008 to July 2016 and ran for 2,245 episodes. It followed Anandi, a child bride in rural Rajasthan, from childhood into adulthood. Avika Gor played young Anandi, while Pratyusha Banerjee and later Toral Rasputra played the adult Anandi.
The show opened conversations about child marriage in many households. A reboot, Balika Vadhu 2, aired from August 2021 to March 2022.
4. Diya Aur Baati Hum
This StarPlus show ran from August 2011 to September 2016. Deepika Singh played Sandhya, an educated woman who dreams of becoming an IPS officer, and Anas Rashid played her husband Sooraj, a sweet-maker from a traditional Pushkar family who supports her ambition.
Its message about a woman’s career after marriage connected with many viewers. A sequel, Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh, Piyaji, followed from 2017 to 2018.
5. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Based on Tarak Mehta’s column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma in the magazine Chitralekha, this sitcom premiered on Sony SAB on 28 July 2008. It is set in Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society, where families from different parts of India live side by side. Dilip Joshi has played Jethalal since the start.
The show has crossed 4,800 episodes and is still on air in 2026, with episodes also on SonyLIV. Its gentle humour has made it a favourite for all age groups.
6. Naagin
Ekta Kapoor’s supernatural drama began on Colors TV in 2015 with Mouni Roy, Arjun Bijlani and Adaa Khan. Shape-shifting serpents, revenge and love formed the core, and the formula has carried the franchise through seven seasons with new leads each time.
Season 7, with Priyanka Chahar Choudhary and Namik Paul, ended on 14 June 2026. An eighth season is listed for 2027.
7. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Produced by Rajan Shahi, the show premiered on StarPlus on 12 January 2009. It follows several generations of one family: Akshara and Naitik, then Naira and Kartik, then Akshara and Abhimanyu, and later Abhira and Armaan. Shivangi Joshi and Mohsin Khan’s Naira and Kartik became one of television’s most loved pairs.
It is the longest-running Indian television soap opera and completed 5,000 episodes on 3 December 2025. It is still on air in 2026.
8. Crime Patrol
Running on Sony Entertainment Television since May 2003, Crime Patrol dramatises real criminal cases, such as harassment, kidnapping and murder, and the work of the police in solving them. Anup Soni was its long-time host, and the host also suggests ways to prevent such crimes.
The show has around 2,100 episodes over 10 seasons. Its tenth season, hosted by Ajay Devgn, premiered on 31 August 2026.
9. Kasautii Zindagii Kay
Another Balaji Telefilms show, Kasautii Zindagii Kay aired on StarPlus from October 2001 to February 2008. Shweta Tiwari’s Prerna, Cezanne Khan’s Anurag and Urvashi Dholakia’s Komolika made it one of the biggest romantic dramas of its time.
A reboot ran from 2018 to 2020 with Erica Fernandes and Parth Samthaan, with Hina Khan and later Aamna Sharif as Komolika.
10. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Aired on Sony Entertainment Television from May 2011 to July 2014, this show starred Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar as Ram and Priya, two mature people who marry first and fall in love later. Its focus on an older couple was unusual for prime time.
The story returned as Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 in August 2021, with Nakuul Mehta and Disha Parmar, and a third season followed with the same leads.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is the longest-running Indian TV serial?
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is the longest-running Indian television soap opera. It began in January 2009 and completed 5,000 episodes in December 2025.
Is Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah still running in 2026?
Yes. The sitcom has aired on Sony SAB since July 2008 and new episodes continue in 2026. Episodes are also available on SonyLIV.
Is Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi back?
Yes. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 premiered on 29 July 2025 on StarPlus and JioHotstar, with Smriti Irani returning as Tulsi Virani.
Which old Indian serial was re-telecast during the lockdown?
B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988) was re-telecast in 2020 on DD Bharati and other channels, along with Ramayan, and drew very large audiences.
Sources: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Wikipedia; Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, Wikipedia; Mahabharat (1988 TV series), Wikipedia; Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Wikipedia.
