Indian television drama

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Indian television dramas (commonly referred to as Indian series or serials^[1]) are dramatic television programs written, produced, and filmed in India, featuring Indian actors in the lead roles, with episodes broadcast on Indian television.^[2]

India's first television drama, titled Hum Log (Hindi), aired from 1984 to 1985,^[3] and concluded with 154 episodes. Ekta Kapoor's Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000–08) became the first Indian television drama to surpass 1,000 episodes. The show entered the Limca Book of Records and completed its run with 1,833 episodes.^[4] The Marathi series Char Divas Sasuche (2001–13) was the first Indian series to cross both 2,000 and 3,000 episodes, also making it into the Limca Book of Records, concluding with 3,200 episodes. The Telugu series Abhishekam (2008–22) became the first Indian series to reach 4,000 episodes, ending its run on 1 February 2022.^[5] The television drama Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2009–present), with over 4,500 episodes, is the longest-running Hindi TV show in India, as well as the longest-running soap opera, having aired for 15 years as of 2024.

Indian series are produced in nearly all major languages spoken in India, though many incorporate a mix of the predominant regional language and English. These dramas are also broadcast in other parts of South Asia, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Western Europe, Southeastern Europe, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, North Africa, Southeast Africa, and francophone Africa.^[6][7]