New Delhi: Those who were born during the 1980s have seen very interesting phases of popular Indian culture. They have seen the era when people in distant Indian villages used to worship the people who appeared in mythological serials. They have also seen the time when social comedies replaced soaps based on religious texts. The decade of 1990 - 2000 saw the emergence of characters that were very populist in their approach and voiced the sentiments of the middle class. We have compiled a list of 10 such serials that are still trapped in your memories and make you nostalgic every now and then.
Tara: For the first time, the Indian TV viewers got a glimpse of the modern, educated and ruthless working women in Raman Kumar's 'Tara'. The basic storyline of the show revolved around four friends played by Navneet Nishan, Ratna Pathak Shah, Amita Nangia and Neha Sharad. It popularised the concept of hook point in TV. The audience breathlessly waited for the next episode to find out the person who had evoked surprising emotions in the previous episode.
Shaanti: There was a dark but delectable world of treacheries, love and betrayal behind the walls of Shanti Mension. A promising journalist Shanti (Mandira Bedi) aspires to find out the truth behind the story of friendship and enmity of Kamesh Mahadevan (Yatin Karyekar) and Raj GJ Singh (Amar Talwar).
Just Mohabbat: Deeya and Tony Singh made a solid foundation for themselves in the business of TV production with this serial. Almost everyone who was even remotely associated with the word hostel instantly connected to the show, which featured the growing up years of Jai. Aditya, Jai's imaginary friend was an innovative strategy used by the makers to keep the audience glued to their seats.
Dekh Bhai Dekh: Gathering such a unique star-cast was the first success on director Anand Mahendroo's part. Shekhar Suman, Sushma Seth, Navin Nischol, Farida Jalal, Bhavana Balsavar, Vishal Singh, Nattasha Singh, Amar Upadhyay, Deven Bhojani and Urvashi Dholakia, you just name the actors. It was amazing how Shekhar Suman managed to slide in exact manner in every episode.
Banegi Apni Baat: Campus, flirting, romance, heartbreaks, 'Banegi Apni Baat' touched every aspect of a youth's life. The serial ran for close to four years and was among one of the most watched ones on the small screen. It would sound stupid now but school going kids were advised to avoid the show. However, they always found a way to sneak into the drawing room exactly at the same time the serial was on air.
Sea Hawks: It was one of those early serials which showcased thrilling underwater sequences. A bunch of coastguards always kept their eyes open to stop any illegal activity in their proximity. R Madhavan, Anup Soni, Om Puri and Niki Aneja also made it a complex relationship drama, which was directed by Anubhav Sinha.
Byomkesh Bakshi: Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's soft spoken detective took a shape in Rajit Kapur's well prepared persona. KK Raina became Ajit while Sukanya Kulkarni played the detective's wife Satyaboti. Basu Chatterjee was the man behind the megaphone for this serial which is ageless and full of goosebump moments even now.
Hum Paanch: Now, this serial has become a sort of anecdote in itself but it was a show everyone cherished irrespective of their age. Be it Sweety Mathur's sudden transformation to a singer or Kajal Bhai's liaisons with local goons, the serial never had a dull moment. And, if there came any such moment, Priya Tendulkar made that alive with her jibes from within a photo frame.
Zee Horror Show: This serial proved Ramsay Brothers' supremacy over the horror genre. The opening credit song of 'Zee Horror Show' remained in the nightmares of every child despite their parents' best efforts to keep them away from it. Despite patchy make-up and overacting, the show excelled because it caught the fancy of the viewers.
Shaktimaan: Andhera kayam rahe. Can you ever forget Tamraj Kilvish's introductory line? One of the longest running serials on DD, 'Shaktimaan' had a huge impact on children and the makers used it for propagating noble ideas related to a healthy lifestyle. By the way, how many times have you said 'Sorry Shaktimaan'?
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