The Indian Television Industry is famous as well as notorious for its realioty shows and television soaps or serials especially the daily soaps.
Television became a rage in India in the 1980s with the establishment of Doordarshan and the starting of popular soaps like Hum Log, Waagle Ki Duniya etc. Then came Ramanand Saagar’s Ramayan and B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharata. Legends have it that the streets would be empty during the telecast of these two shows.
Gradually private television channels were established like Sony Entertainment Network, Star TV, Zee TV etc. With these developments, the journey of television in India continued. Films were regularly telecast on TV, so were various daily and weekend soaps. Cable TV gradually became a family member.
The highest phase of the TV history in India can be traced to 2004 when Star Plus launched two very widely popular shows - Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Amitabh Bachchan and Balaji’s Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahoo Thi.
Ekta Kapoor became a household name in no time and so did the protagonosts of her various serials - Tulsi, Pravati, Shiana, Kkusum, Bani etc. one very interesting thing to note is that while the Indian Film Industry is male oriented, the Indian Television Industry is female oriented.
Reality shows like Indian Idol, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, Bigg Boss, MTV Roadies, Nach Baliye also became widely popular amongst the auidience.
The ITI is often criticised for its long daily soaps, Stories are streched so far that they become unrealistic, characters are changed, and of course there are unbelievable twists and turns.
So, the present picture is that the ITI is subject to much criticism but the television industry still continues to reign over the hearts of millions of Indians with new and innovative shows like Balika Vadhu(Colours), Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo(Zee Tv) etc and ofcourse4 the IPL!
So, may God bless the Indian Television Industry. Long Live.