Though several consider Indian television serials to be cringe-worthy, you cannot deny the fact that they have become an inevitable part of our household. The small TV box might sometimes seem to be an unnecessary device to you but its wide range of audiences is undisputable. From mythological, romantic and family drama to slapsticks, there is something for everyone. While drama majorly caters to the interest of homemakers, the young population enjoys reality shows. The journey that started in 1984 with Hum Log witnessed different phases with Hum Paanch, Just Mohabbat, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhie Bahu Thi, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, Naagin and many more. Even with the advent of OTT platforms and myriads of shows from worldwide, TV has its own charm and loyal audience.

The television industry has proved that it is capable of being a platform for immense creativity, at par with Bollywood films. While some shows have the audience wanting more, others fail to make a lasting impact. 2019 also witnessed shows which were socially progressive, and a few, still enjoy the perks of completing a decade on the 'idiot box.'

Have a look at the best TV shows in 2019!

Bigg Boss 13

The thirteenth season of Salman Khan’s controversial reality show Bigg Boss broke all records this year and became the most successful season in the history of the show. Not only this, the makers were mighty impressed with the soaring TRPs and audience's love that they decided to extend BB13 for 5 weeks. In this show, contestants called "housemates" live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world. Housemates are voted out (usually on a weekly basis) until only one remains and wins the cash prize. During their stay in the house, contestants are continuously monitored by live television cameras as well as personal audio microphones. Bigg Boss is known to make headlines every single day, right from the beginning of its announcement. Be it ugly and aggressive fights on the show or love angles, the host for the last ten seasons, Salman Khan, maintains a stronghold over the format and makes sure every contestant and their acts are monitored and acted upon, rightly. 

Kundali Bhagya

After the immense popularity of Kumkum Bhagya, its spin-off Kundali Bhagya was launched in 2017, to meet the audience’s demands. The show, which began with the story of two sisters Preeta (Shraddha Arya) and Srishti (Anjum Fakih) attempting to reunite with their mother Sarla (Supriya Shukla), currently revolves around the Luthra family. Also starring Dheeraj Dhoopar (Karan) and Manit Joura, Kundali Bhagya always tops the TRP ratings with its evolving concept of love and family ties. Not to forget the constant plotting, suspense and chemistry between Karan and Preeta, keeps the audience hooked.

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, which premiered in 2009, is one of the longest-running television shows in India. It currently features Naira (Shivangi Joshi) and Kartik (Mohsin Khan) in the lead. The show, which started off with Hina Khan and Karan Mehra in the lead roles, went on the become one of the top Indian TV shows. It has not only managed to remain among the top shows on the TRP charts, that focuses on the life of a Rajasthani family, but also managed to make a special place in the hearts of the fans. Despite being high in emotional content and drama, the viewership of the show is ever-increasing and everyone just loves them on and off-screen camaraderie of the lead pair #Kaira. 

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

This unbelievably popular show, first premiered in the year 2008 and is perhaps India’s longest-running sitcom. The audience just loves Jethalal Gada and his family, apart from the comical representation of family life. The other families of Gokuldham Society, with their unique characters, also definitely add to the charm of the show. Be it the Sodhis, Tarak and Anjali Mehta, the Hathis, the Iyers, the Bhides, Popatlal, Natu Kaka and Bagha, Abdul and Tapu Sena, the cast is well chosen and well-loved. It’s a delight to watch the way they live, celebrate and face problems together. And you dare not forget the Tapu Sena. The show has not only made the Gujrati culture very popular but also managed to showcase the true meaning of family love. The show has been surviving without its leading lady, Disha Vakani, who has been on maternity leave for nearly two years. Talks of her returning to the show made a lot of noise this year, but there has been no significant progress on that end. 

Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke

Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke is a spinoff of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai which features Naira’s cousin Mishti (Rhea Sharma) who questions the age-old concepts of arranged marriages, relationships, and love. Set in Rajkot, the story follows the journey of Mishti with Abir Rajvansh (Shaheer Sheikh) by her side as she goes on a journey to find the meaning of love. The show first aired in March this year and instantly gained popularity because of its storyline and the sweet new jodi of Shaheer and Rhea. Currently, the show underwent a leap of a few months, to introduce new track and revamped looks of the characters. 

Kahan Hum Kahan Tum

Dipika Kakar Ibrahim’s comeback show, Kahan Hum Kahan Tum, which created excitement with Saif Ali Khan introducing the show, has now become one of the popular TV serials of this year. The daily soap, which first aired in June this year, revolves around the lives of Dr. Rohit Sippy (Karan Grover) and Sonakshi Rastogi (Dipika Kakar Ibrahim), two completely different individuals belonging to completely different worlds unaware of the fact that their worlds, though poles apart are meant to collide. Their sweet and spicy chemistry and the show’s storyline are the reasons why it is being appreciated by the audience and fans. It is said that the serial is based on the real-life love story of Madhuri Dixit Nene and Dr. Sriram Nene, where an actress marries a doctor, and the challenges the couple faces due to drastically different professions. 

The Kapil Sharma Show

Who doesn’t know about The Kapil Sharma Show? We are sure maximum Indian families switch on to Sony TV every weekend to witness a laugh riot with comedian Kapil Sharma. TKSS is an Indian Hindi stand-up comedy and talk show broadcasted by Sony Entertainment Television. Produced by Salman Khan, the show sees Kapil interacting with celebrity guests about their latest films while keeping the audience laughing with his wit, humour and assorted skits. The first season of the show aired in 2016 and went on to become the most successful Indian comedy show ever. After this, the makers announced its second season in 2018, and a completed its 100th episode in the second week of December 2019! The show came in limelight earlier this year when owing to political comments, show's permanent guest, MP Navjot Singh Sidhu was replaced by Archana Puran Singh. 

Kaun Banega Crorepati 11

Lock kardiya jaaye? We have all grown up hearing these words and registering it in our minds. All thanks to legendary Bollywood actor and Kaun Banega Crorepati host Amitabh Bachchan who gives contestants a chance to answer a series of questions based on general knowledge and current affairs in order to win a cash prize up to Rs. 7 crores. SONY TV’s reality show, which started back in 2000, has managed to make each and every season of its popular. All credit to Big B for making the show as entertaining as possible and giving a fun ride to the contestants on the “hot seat”. This year, the show clocked its 11th season and the enthusiasm towards this reality game show hasn't diminished a bit with the audience. 

Choti Sardarni

Choti Sardarni is the latest serial to make it's way to the top of the TRP list. The show is based on Meher (Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia), who is coerced by her mother into marrying Sarabjeet (Avinesh Rekhi), a widower with a 5-year-old child. This is the journey of a strong-willed woman who makes her own rules and stands by them, comes what may. “Naag se badh kar Naagin, Sher se badh kar Sherni aur Sardar se badh kar Choti Sarrdaarni” is the concept of the show. The show has succeeded in securing a big place for themselves in the audience's hearts with their characters’ great bonding and emotionally charged scenes; coupled with perfect comic moments. The winner of the show is definitely Kevina Tak, a child actor, who plays the much-appreciated role of Param. The show first aired on July 1, 2019, and is a constant in the top 10 list of the TRP charts. 

Kasautii Zindagii Kay

The show is a reboot of Ekta Kapoor’s popular TV series (earlier 2001-2008), Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2018-present) and stars Parth Samthaan and Erica Fernandes in the lead. It revolves around Anurag and Prerna, following how they fall in love. However, as expected, fate has different plans and a series of unwanted incidents create havoc in their lives. Aamna Sharif is currently seen as the vamp, Komolika (after Hina Khan made an exit) and Karan Singh Grover as Mr. Bajaj. The show has a fan base since the very beginning because of its original part that starred Shweta Tiwari, Cezanne Khan and Ronit Roy in the lead roles. The remake is enjoying humungous fan following and success just like the original.

Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki

Colors' serial Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki which started in 2016 is one of the most popular shows on Indian television for depicting a bold concept with a eunuch Soumya (played by Rubina Dilaik) as the show’s primary character. The story revolves around Soumya's fight for her identity and how Harman (Vivian Dsena) loves her immensely, despite knowing the truth about her. In fact, their separation (the two are married in the show) created an uproar amongst fans and the makers had to bring them back together. The show is certainly high on drama with an aim to provide justice to their virtuous, long-suffering female lead. However, Vivian recently made an exit from the show, as Shakti is undergoing a time leap. 

Naagin 4

This supernatural series by Ekta Kapoor, based on stories of snake shifting snakes, is a sure shot hit formula, from 2015. The show ended up introducing its leading lady Mouni Roy into Bollywood, owing to its roaring success, and in 2019, the Naagin entered its fourth season with a new cast and story. The graphical representation of age-old myths has been one of the strong points of the show. The dichotomy of love and revenge between the lead characters Jasmin Bhasin, Nia Sharma and Vijayendra Kumeria is receiving much love from the audience, just a month into its premiere. The first three seasons of the show with Mouni Roy-Arjun Bijlani and Surbhi Jyoti-Pearl V Puri in the lead - was also much-loved by the audience. 

Beyhadh 2

Beyhadh, a romantic thriller television series which aired from October 2016 to October 2017 broke all records and the show came up with season 2 this year. Starring Jennifer Winget, Shivin Narang, and Aashish Chaudhary, the storyline is as interesting as it gets. The show is based on an obsessive lover Maya (played by Jennifer) and how she can cross all limits to receive the love of her man. The show received a lot of love when it first aired but due to inhouse disruption amongst the makers, it had to go off-air. It made an even better comeback on December 2, 2019, and is high on drama, jealousy and crossing the heights of obsession! 

Sanjivani 2

Sanjivani 2 brought back innumerable memories of its original Sanjivani as it premiered on August 12, 2019. Starring Surbhi Chandna and Namit Khanna, the show focuses on their characters of Dr. Ishani and Dr. Sid who are complete opposites. The two struggle to deal with their attraction towards each other as they navigate the ups and downs of their life and career at Sanjivani Hospital. The show is a remake of hit 2002 show Sanjivani that starred Gurdeep Kohli and Mohnish Bahl. Sanjivani 2 did not take much time to take its place and leave a mark. It is considered as one of the best hospital romances on Indian television. 

(Source: PeepingMoon)