Blast from the Past: 10 Iconic ’90s TV Shows We Want to See Make a Comeback

We all have fond memories of our childhood, thanks to the iconic Indian TV shows from the 1990s and early 2000s. Watching TV today, we often miss the charm of those old dramas and their unique storylines that touched on social issues in a light-hearted way.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit the top 10 Hindi TV series that are timeless classics. If they made a comeback, they would surely be loved by audiences all over again.

1. Captain Vyom

• Main Cast: Milind Soman, Kartika Rane, Aarav Chowdhary, and Divya Palat
• Airing Period: 1998-99
• Captain Vyom was set in the year 2123. It told the story of super-soldier Captain Vyom (played by Milind Soman), who was tasked with defeating 12 powerful villains who escaped from a prison on Jupiter’s moon, Lo. With his team of elite soldiers, Captain Vyom made for an exciting action-packed and science fiction series.

1. Shaktimaan

• Main Cast: Mukesh Khanna, Vaishnavi, Surendra Pal, Kitu Gidwani, and Tom Alter
• Airing Period: 1997-2005
• Shaktimaan was India’s first superhero show that captivated children with its thrilling opening song, amazing action scenes, and engaging plot. The series followed Pandit Gangadhar Vidhyadhar Mayadhar Omkarnath Shastri, aka Shaktimaan (played by Mukesh Khanna), as he fought against evil and injustice.

1. Shanti – Ek Ghar Ki Kahani

• Main Cast: Mandira Bedi, Amar Talwar, Yatin Karyekar, Mohini Sharma, Rajesh Tailang, Amit Behl, and Anup Soni
• Airing Period: 1994
• Shanti was one of the earliest shows to feature a strong female lead. The drama addressed important social issues like women’s empowerment and sexual harassment through the life of Shanti, a journalist who uncovers dark secrets in a mansion.

1. Tara

• Main Cast: Ratna Pathak Shah, Navneet Nishan, Amita Nangia, Shefali Shah, Rakesh Bedi, Alok Nath, and Deven Bhojani
• Airing Period: 1993-97
• Tara centered on the life of the titular character and her four friends, exploring the trials and tribulations of modern urban women. It was a show ahead of its time, loved by everyone back then.

1. Banegi Apni Baat

• Main Cast: Ikhlaq Khan, Surekha Sikri, Irrfan Khan, Kalpana Iyer, R Madhavan, Arun Bali, and Alyy Khan
• Airing Period: 1993-97
• Banegi Apni Baat offered a glimpse into college romance and adventures of the 1990s. The show captured the essence of college life, with its joys, heartbreaks, and the challenges of professional life that followed.

1. Malgudi Days

• Main Cast: Girish Karnad, B Jayashree, and Deven Bhojani
• Airing Period: 1986
• Based on R.K. Narayan’s collection of short stories, Malgudi Days beautifully portrayed the simplicity and joys of rural Indian life. Through the eyes of Swami and his friends, the show introduced children to valuable life lessons about empathy, kindness, and the importance of community.

1. Buniyaad

• Main Cast: Alok Nath, Sudhir Pandey, Asha Sharma, Rajesh Puri, Bharti Achrekar, Meher Mittal, and Pallavi Joshi
• Airing Period: 1986-1987
• Buniyaad was a soap opera set before and after India’s independence, showing how the partition affected lives through the story of freedom fighter Master Haveliram Khanna (played by Alok Nath). The show’s realistic storytelling and powerful performances made it a must-watch.

1. Nukkad

• Main Cast: Dilip Dhawan, Avtar Gill, Pavan Malhotra, Sameer Khakar, and Haider Ali
• Airing Period: 1986-87
• Nukkad was a comedy-drama that depicted the struggles of lower-income workers in cities. The characters in a Mumbai chawl came together to help each other, and the show became hugely popular. Its sequel, Naya Nukkad, aired in 1993.

1. Hum Log

• Main Cast: Ashok Kumar, Vinod Nagpal, Jayshree Arora, Rajesh Puri, Abhinav Chaturvedi, Seema Pahwa, Divya Seth, and Loveleen Mishra
• Airing Period: 1984-1985
• Hum Log is considered one of Indian TV’s classic shows. It focused on the struggles of a middle-class family, and Ashok Kumar served as the narrator, discussing the story with the audience and adding insightful commentary.

1. Ye Jo Hai Zindagi

• Main Cast: Shafi Inamdar, Swaroop Sampat, Satish Shah, Rakesh Bedi, Sulbha Arya, and Vijay Kashyap
• Airing Period: 1984
• Ye Jo Hai Zindagi was a sitcom about the hilarious everyday life of a married couple, Ranjit and Renu Verma, and Renu’s unemployed brother. The show also featured their quirky neighbors, with Satish Shah’s comic brilliance in various roles adding to the fun.

These shows are more than just entertainment; they’re a part of our cultural heritage, and their timeless appeal means they would still capture the hearts of audiences today.