From Meri Bhavya Life to Sapnon Ki Chhalaang: Indian TV shows that dared to speak up against societal norms

Indian prime-time television has traditionally been a blend of family drama, romance, and emotional twists. However, many daily soaps have gone beyond entertainment to spotlight crucial social issues affecting millions. Through engaging stories and relatable characters, these shows have sparked conversations and sometimes even challenged deep-rooted societal norms.

Here’s a look at some prime-time Indian daily soaps that effectively combined entertainment with meaningful social messages:

Mere Dad Ki Dulhan:

Channel: Sony Entertainment Television

Theme: Late-life relationships, single parenting, changing family dynamics

Primary Cast: Varun Badola, Shweta Tripathi and Anjali Tartari

This refreshing show explores the love story of a single father, Amber (Varun Badola), as he navigates finding companionship later in life, with the help of his daughter Niya (Anjali Tartari). It challenges age-related stereotypes around romance and highlights evolving parent-child relationships in modern Indian families.

Sapnon Ki Chhalaang:

Channel: Sony Entertainment Television

Theme: Women’s empowerment, migration, career challenges

Primary Cast: Megha Ray

The series follows Radhika (Megha Ray), a young woman from a small town who moves to Mumbai to pursue her corporate dreams. It sheds light on the struggles women face in balancing family expectations, urban lifestyle changes, and professional aspirations.

Doree:

Channel: Colors TV

Theme: Gender bias, girl child abandonment, resilience

Primary Cast: Mahi Bhanushali, Amar Upadhyay, Toral Rasputra, Sudha Chandran

Doree tells the story of a girl abandoned at birth and raised amidst hardships. Her journey is a commentary on societal prejudice against the girl child and encourages viewers to rethink traditional gender biases through an emotional narrative.

Meri Bhavya Life:

Channel: Colors TV

Theme: Body positivity, self-esteem, social acceptance

Primary Cast: Prisha Dhatwalia and Karan Vohra

Bhavya (Prisha Dhatwalia) is an overweight woman facing constant body shaming. The show challenges conventional beauty norms and emphasizes self-love, advocating for acceptance beyond physical appearance.

Kavya-Ek Jazba, Ek Junoon:

Channel: Sony Entertainment Television

Theme: Gender equality, professional ambition, bureaucracy

Primary Cast: Sumbul Touqeer Khan, Mishkat Varma

Following Kavya Bansal (Sumbul Touqeer Khan), a determined IAS officer, the show addresses gender-related obstacles within the Indian bureaucracy and the balancing act between personal and professional lives for women in demanding careers.

Na Aana Is Des Laado

Channel: Colors TV

Theme: Female infanticide, patriarchy, women’s rights

Primary Cast: Meghna Malik, Natasha Sharma, Aditya Redij

Set in rural Haryana, this hard-hitting series focuses on Ammaji (Meghna Malik), who enforces harsh patriarchal rules, and her daughter, who fights against these regressive traditions, confronting the brutal reality of female infanticide.

Balika Vadhu:

Channel: Colors TV

Theme: Child marriage, education, social reform

Primary Cast: Avika Gor, Pratyusha Banerjee, Shashank Vyas, Siddharth Shukla

One of Indian TV’s landmark shows, Balika Vadhu chronicles Anandi’s (Avika Gor / Pratyusha Banerjee) life as a child bride and her efforts to overcome the limitations imposed by early marriage, highlighting the urgent need for education and reform.

Thoda Sa Baadal Thoda Sa Paani:

Channel: Colors TV

Theme: Widowhood, economic hardship, societal stigma

Primary Cast: Ishita Dutta, Karan Suchak

Kajol (Ishita Dutta) navigates the challenges of becoming the sole provider for her family after losing her father, while dealing with societal prejudices, highlighting resilience and empowerment.

Maryada: Lekin Kab Tak?

Channel: Star Plus

Theme: Marital abuse, sexuality, honor culture

Primary Cast: Riddhi Dogra, Raqesh Bapat

A pioneering show in its portrayal of complex themes like infidelity, emotional abuse, and LGBTQ+ issues within conservative Indian households, it questions the societal obsession with honor at the cost of individual freedom.

Lakshmi Ghar Aayi:

Channel: Star Bharat

Theme: Dowry system, gender equality, empowerment

Primary Cast: Akshit Sukhija, Simran Pareeja

This series challenges the dowry tradition through Maithili’s (Simran Pareeja) fight against financial exploitation in marriage, pushing for gender equality and reform in social customs.

Prime-time daily soaps are more than just family entertainment; they have become vehicles for social awareness and change. By weaving critical issues like dowry, child marriage, body positivity, and gender equality into their stories, these shows reach millions, inspiring reflection and dialogue. As Indian television continues evolving, the blend of meaningful storytelling and engaging drama promises a powerful platform for societal progress.