5 Hindi serials that defined Indian TV's golden era before and during Ekta Kapoor's K-reign

Before, and even during, Ekta Kapoor’s reign over the 2000s with her iconic K-serials, Indian television had a very different flavour. The melodrama existed, but it was softer, more grounded, and rooted in realism. Shows like Neena Gupta’s Saans and the haunting Tanha told stories that felt raw, authentic, and deeply human. These were serials with soul—capturing pain, purpose, and the quiet complexities of everyday life.

So, as KSKBT makes a return, here's looking back at some real nostalgic gems from the 90s and early 2000s.

1) Saans (1998)

Starring Neena Gupta, Saans revolved around the grief of infidelity. The story followed Priya and Gautam, a seemingly happy couple with two children, Akul and Mithi. Their lives take a sharp turn when they befriend Manisha. What begins as friendship soon spirals into betrayal—Manisha falls for Gautam, and the two begin an affair. When Priya discovers the truth, she wonders whether it's worth fighting for her marriage, or, if she should bring her husband back in line.

2) Tanha (1999)

The opening credits itself, left you emotional. Bheed mein sab tanha--which means, even in the crowd, people are lonely. In the story, Sushma Seth plays Shakeela Begum, a strong-willed widow who runs a successful garment export business. Charismatic and determined, she anchors her family through challenges big and small. There are several stories along the way, each more intricate than the other.

3) Hip Hip Hurray

Return to a time when campus stories were actually...like campus. Hip Hip Hurray was about the lives of students at a popular school. The show took on difficult topics such as dating, health, substance abuse, parental trauma and more. The opening credits itself are such a bop that you couldn't really skip the show after it.

4) Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993)

The Hindi serial that the previous generations will never forget. Set in a charming ancestral bungalow on the outskirts of Mumbai, this series followed the everyday chaos and comfort of three generations of the Diwan family living under one roof. From sibling spats and meddling in-laws to business hiccups and romantic tensions, the show captures the delightful messiness of joint family life, with all its heart, humour, and high drama.

5) Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye (2001)

Another quiet and bittersweet tale: Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye, followed the story of a woman, Mallika, who finds herself hastily married to an NRI, Rahul, in just ten days. But once she moves abroad with him, the truth begins to unravel, Rahul is already in love with another woman, Maya. The story ends with Mallika finally taking a difficult step and controlling her own destiny.