The Indian television industry is one of the fastest growing entertainment industries throughout Asia, as is evident to even the ‘aam aadmi’, given the number of channels emerging all over the country. In recent times, the industry has seen diverse changes in terms of concept, scripts and storytelling.
2018 marked a glorious milestone for the industry as it grew by leaps and bounds on the back of engaging story lines. We had earlier brought to you the Web Shows that made an impact in 2018.
Now, we list down the ‘TV shows that Impacted in the year 2018’.
Without getting into any chronological order, here is IWMBuzz.com listing out its Top 10 TV shows of the year 2018.
Naagin 3: This year, the Hindi General Entertainment genre has seen a gush of supernatural shows based on paranormal activities, supernatural incidents that are either based on real life or inspired by true stories. Colors also explored this genre by bringing in various shows with a resemblance to this trend. Redefining entertainment for a finite fiction series with supernatural mysticism at its core, Naagin (Balaji Telefilms) has succeeded in captivating the audience in its first two editions. Taking this legacy forward, Balaji Telefilms returned with the 3rd season of Naagin, which tells the saga of power, passion and revenge. And the result is the same…. Naagin 3 has recreated history once again and has become the numero uno show on television as soon as it launched.
We at IWMBuzz.com liked the series and reviewed it…read .
Kundali Bhagya: It came, charmed and conquered! Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya (Balaji Telefilms), is an extension of its popular number churner, Kumkum Bhagya. The spin off was widely accepted by the audience, given the fact that Kumkum Bhagya was already rating high. The show connected quickly with the audience and topped the TRP chart. Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms again weaved magic, thereby making Kundali Bhagya a success.
Read the review .
Ishq Subhan Allah: Zee TV’s Ishq Subhan Allah, produced by Creative Eye, revolves around Zara Siddiqui and Kabeer Ahmed. They both are devout followers of Islam but have their own interpretation of the Quran. The show deals with the sensitive topic of triple talaaq, and has tried to raise awareness on the topic. Although the series faced some backlash from the audience and was also involved in a controversy, it stood strong and charmed audiences with its bold content. The lead protagonists Adnan Khan and Eisha Singh have won the love and support of viewers.
Read our review .
Indian Idol: Sony TV’s flagship reality show, Indian Idol (FreemantleMedia India) returned to entertain viewers with some extraordinary acts in its tenth edition. This season brought to the fore talent of high quality that needed to be seen and heard. Giving all those who dare to dream a platform to make it real, this show stands for talent that rises above age and social status. The show was helmed by a jury that gives judgement par excellence – Neha Kakkar, Vishal Dadlani and Javed Ali. The tenth edition was won be the amazing talent, Salman Ali.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: SAB TV not only welcomed a plethora of characters to its family but also said a heartfelt goodbye to some of its endearing and much-loved shows. However, the popular and ever loving family drama, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, continued to win audiences’ hearts. In the era of Naagins and Daayans, the series, produced by Neela Telefilms, has entertained viewers with interesting stories combined with social message and humour. The show also saw its most loved character Daya, played by Disha Vakani, taking a break due to her pregnancy, but it still maintained its number on the TRP chart.
Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai: Shashi and Sumeet Mittal gave us one of the best shows of Indian television, Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, on Sony TV. From the costumes and the set to background music, everything will remind you of the 90s. All 90s kids or viewers who have lived that era will relate to every plot and scene. In the age of Tinder, Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai reminds us how beautiful and innocent romance was in the 90s, with handwritten love letters, cards, flowers and everything that is called a ‘cliche’ today. However, these made the show simple and realistic. The show also made debutants, Ashi Singh and Randeep Rai, youth sensations.
Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala: Star Plus’ Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala, an adaptation of the hit Star Jalsha show Potol Kumar Gaanwala, produced by Gul Khan and Nilanjana Purkayasstha, is an emotional story of a little singing prodigy who is on the hunt for her father who deserted her mother. The series has emotions, drama, music and all the masala that makes it a hit daily. The biggest takeaway of the series is the little girl Aakriti Sharma’s performance. She shines like a beacon amidst the squalor of her surroundings. Mohit Malik as Sikandar is rendering a captiavating performance.
Read our reviewIWMBuzz.
Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai: While most other Indian shows, the serious ones, are still based on the saas-bahu conspiracy theory, this one offers a twist. Here, you will find the saas loving her bahu and literally whipping her son. Obviously, these are sheer exaggerations, but similar characters in their mild form do exist in reality. Amidst of all this, Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain? on &TV, is a breath of fresh air.
Post Shilpa Shinde’s exit from the show, audiences took time to adapt to Shubhangi Atre, but she was accepted and welcomed by the viewers.
Nimki Mukhiya: Nimki Mukhiya (Qissago Telefilms) on Star Bharat brings out women empowerment in the real world, where a village girl who is not Miss Goody Goody, but is both ambitious and a little selfish, has the right to be empowered. Nimki is one in a million and the show itself is one in a zillion, because they actually support women empowerment for human beings and not for perfect sati savitris. The show deals with political issues with a great touch of comedy. It was widely accepted on the new channel, Star Bharat. The casting is spot on as most actors really look their parts. The best part of Nimki Mukhiya lies in its writing, and Writer and Producer Zama Habib needs to be given the credit.
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai: Star Plus’ long running show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, produced by Rajan Shahi, under the banner, Director’s Kut Productions, had a great start with Akshara and Naitik’s journey. In the span of 10 years, the show took a generation leap and Kartik and Naira, aka Mohsin Khan and Shivangi Joshi, took the legacy ahead. Kartik and Naira’s chemistry was loved by audiences so much that they also became TV’s most loved Jodi. Reel Jodi, Mohsin and Shivangi, also become a real-life couple during their journey. The Rajan Shahi show still stands strong in the TRP game owing to its thrilling drama.
Well, here we complete the Top 10 TV Shows for the Year 2018. However, we feel few other shows too have made their special place in audiences’ hearts with their story telling.
Hence we decided to give a Special Mention to a few shows on TV!!
Immensely loved show, Ishqbaaaz, on Star Plus, helmed by Gul Khan, has got everything from charming and talented actors, a hardworking team, lavish sets, perfect story to a beautiful concept. The show was known for the stylish looks of the lead actors. The jewellery and costume became the talk of the town. Nakkul Mehta and Surbhi Chandna’s khidkitod Jodi was loved by the audience.
Star Plus show, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (Balaji Telefilms), celebrated the successful completion of 5 years. The show captivated millions of viewers across the world and is one of the longest running television series for contemporary television audience. It brings forward the journey of a unique couple, Raman and Ishita, played by Karan Patel and Divyanka Tripathi, who have stood by each other against all odds. The show, being one of StarPlus’ top-rated properties, has introduced affable and relatable characters like Ishita, Raman, Ruhi, Pihu and Shagun that are household names today. In the last 5 years, the show has brilliantly carved the changing dynamics in the relationships between the pivotal characters – Ishita, Ruhi, Raman.
Regardless of the age, every Indian household welcomed Tenali Rama (Contiloe) on SAB TV into their living rooms daily, to watch on screen the amazing tales of Rama, the ones they have imbibed and enjoyed reading about for years. Krishna Bharadwaj brought a smile with his amazing transformation of Rama. The comic presentation of the life and journey of Tenali Rama came right from the history books, presenting the rich and intellectual culture of ancient India. It certainly became a must watch.
The supernatural genre was never hot. Not when Naagin had just arrived on the television scene with massive TRPs. All of a sudden, there was a surge in the number of such shows. The latest one was Gul Khan’s Nazar on Star Plus, the story of a 200-year-old daayan (Monalisa) who keeps herself young by killing people and absorbing their youthfulness. Although there is no dearth of chudails, daayans and shaitans on Indian TV, Gul’s daayan stands apart. The character is loud and over the top, but is well-written and has a fascinating back story. Mona Lisa is impressive as Mohana, and the show is able to hold the interest of the viewer despite being a daily airing beyond the prime time.
The fact that, even after so many seasons down, Sony TV’s show Kaun Banega Crorepati (Big Synergy) continues to rake in huge numbers is testament to the power ofe Big B. It is his sheer personality alone that makes a quiz format so popular. It is Mr Amitabh Bachchan’s charisma and the contestants’ life stories that are the USP of the show. In 2018, KBC and Indian Idol helped Sony TV from sinking in the TRP pond.
We hope you enjoyed reading our Year-Ender feature on the biggest of TV shows in the year 2018.
We will get back soon with yet another interesting read as part of our Year-Ender articles…