A good laugh is all you need to take those blues away. Indian television has crafted some ingenuous/ingenious shows throughout, which take social commentary, intelligent humour, and the slapstick brand of comedy, mix it all up and present it to us on one large platter. Shows that have given us hours of pure laughter and joy are the ones that remain in our hearts still. Take a look at the 15 most popular comedy shows of all time on Indian television that continue to rule the comedy scene in India.
Also read: 35 All Time Best Bollywood Comedy Movies You Should Watch
1. Dekh Bhai Dekh
This comedy soap told us the story of the Dewan family, complete with the tussles and affection that are part of every family. Excellent performances by artists like Shekhar Suman and Farida Jalal, along with some great writing, were sure to leave the audience in stitches. It remains one of the cult comedy shows of the 90s.
Source: Nettv4U
2. Shrimaan Shrimati
Shrimaan Shrimati was a sitcom based on the daily dealings of two neighbouring families, where the “Love thy neighbour” theme was at play. What it resulted in was a hilarious sequence of events in a show that aired for 5 years on Doordarshan.
3. Yes Boss
A show where the plot revolved around a married couple who were also colleagues, but did not disclose their relationship at work. The husband spent his energy trying and shielding his wife from her boss’s advances, in what turned out to be a thoroughly amusing sitcom.
4. Tu Tu Main Main
Tu Tu Main Main took us through the tiffs and banters of a duo of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Featuring the stunning Reema Lagoo and Supriya Pilgaonkar, this was one of the most popular shows of the 90s.
5. Hum Paanch
One of the classic Indian comedy shows, Hum Paanch featured actors like Vidya Balan who later rose to stardom. Telling the story of a middle-class household through a humorous lens, this show won hearts and also became the prime reason behind Zee TV’s success as an upcoming enterprise.
6. Office Office
Office Office was a satire on the corruption prevalent in the country. The show traced the ordeals of an ordinary person in his attempts to get work done amidst such a milieu. Starring Pankaj Kapur as the lead, the show was very well-received.
7. Family No. 1
This show was unique in that it dealt with single parenthood, beautifully weaving a story of two such separate families who had to live in the same house. The trajectory of their relationships with each other was beautifully shown in this comedy series that aired on SONY Entertainment.
8. Flop Show
Written, directed and featuring Jaspal Bhatti, produced and co-acted by his wife Savita Bhatti, this show was a satirical take on the issues faced by Indians at large. The show aired on DD National in 1989.
9. Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma
Probably the longest-running show on this list, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma traces the lives of the residents of Gokuldham society, who hail from diverse backgrounds. The show weaves in issues of social relevance, along with an appealing brand of humour that have made it into one of the most popular shows over the years.
10. The Kapil Sharma Show
One of the most famous comedy reality shows in the country right now, this show is hosted by the comedian Kapil Sharma and also has other actors grace the stage playing various characters. The show’s popularity makes regular appearances of eminent stars on the show an utterly enjoyable experience.
11. Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!
Inspired by Shrimaan Shrimati, this is yet another sitcom where neighbours are attracted to each others’ wives and embark on a series of endeavours to impress them. The show is now available on Zee5.
12. Sarabhai VS Sarabhai
A classic in the true sense of the term, the first season of this show has only gotten better with time. Taking us through the lives of an upper class family in Bombay, it combined satire, dry humour and stellar performances to give us a gem of a show. Not to forget, the occasional roasts the characters casually threw at each other. The show had a second season that was launched on Hotstar.
Source: TVTropes
13. F.I.R.
As the name suggests, it was a sitcom revolving around the happenings in a local police station. An outspoken police officer along with her three partly efficient, wholly comical subordinates try to solve all cases that come their way in this show that aired on SAB TV.
14. Khichdi
The series which continues to be the stuff of memes and reels on Instagram, Khichdi took us through the daily lives of the Parekh family. The eccentricities of the characters masking the subtle commentary on the Indian joint family, make this a must-watch.
15. Shararat
Somewhat inspired by the American show Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Shararat was a tale of magic and madness. Magical powers wielded by some members of the Malhotra family are used and misused to create hilarious outcomes in this soap that was first aired in 2003.
Did these 15 most popular comedy shows of all time on Indian television take you on a trip down memory lane?