Doordarshan - Early National Programming

Early National Programming

The 80s were noted for Hum Log (1984), Buniyaad (1986–87) and comedy shows like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi (1984).

  • Hum Log, Buniyaad, and Nukkad along with mythological dramas such as Ramayan (1987–88) and Mahabharat (1989–90), Shaktimaan (1998-2005), India's First Superhero, glued millions to Doordarshan as did shows such as Bharat Ek Khoj, The Sword of Tipu Sultan and The Great Maratha.
  • Hindi film songs based programmes like Chitrahaar, Rangoli, Ek Se Badkar Ek and Superhit Muqabla.
  • Crime thrillers like Barrister Vinod (starring Parikshit Sahni), Karamchand (starring Pankaj Kapoor), Aparadhi Kaun, PC 1008 (starring Kanwaljit), Police File Se, Byomkesh Bakshi (starring Rajit Kapoor), Reporter (Shekhar Suman), Tehkikaat and Janki Jasoos, Suraag (starring Sudesh Berry).
  • Shows targeted at children include Faerie Tale Theatre, Dada Dadi ki Kahaniyan, Vikram Aur Betaal, Space City Sigma, Stone Boy, Malgudi Days, Tenali Rama, Potli Baba Ki (puppet show), He-Man, Superhuman Samurai Cyber Squad, Knight Rider, Teletubbies, Street Hawk and a horror serial Kile ka Rahasya (1989).
  • Other popular shows include Oshin a Japanese drama series, Rajni dealing with social issues, Trishna, Mr. Yogi, Neem ka Ped, Circus, Fauji (launching Shahrukh Khan), Rani Laxhmibai, Dastan-E-Hatim Tai, Alif Laila, Gul Gulshan Gulfaam, Udaan, Rajani, Talaash, Phir Wohi Talash, Katha Saagar, Nupur, Mirza Ghalib, Wagle ki Duniya, Phulvanti, Sangharsh, Lifeline, Kashish (launching Malvika Tiwari), Srimaan Srimati, Tu Tu Mein Mein, Junoon, Ajnabi (starring Danny Denzongpa), Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Sansaar, Swabhimaan, Yug Chanakya, Shanti(launching Mandira Bedi), Sea Hawks (starring R. Madhavan), Surabhi, Tana Bana, Mujrim Hazir (launching Navni Parihar), Jaspal Bhatti's Flop Show, Meri Awaaz Suno, Captain Vyom, Chandrakanta and Tootne Ke Baad (TV Serial by Paigham Afaqui)
  • Doordarshan used to have serials before sponsored programmes came into existence. Serials like Dadi Maa Jagi, Bibi Natiyonwali, Aur Bhi Ghum Hai Zamane Mein, and Laddoo Singh Taxi Wala (starring Paintal) were also popular.
  • Sarab Sanji Gurbani was the first sponsored programme on Doordarshan, sponsored by Texla TV.
  • Doordarshan also telecast English cartoons at 12.00 noon during summer vacations in a programme named "Fun Time" which showed cartoons like Spider-Man, Giant Robo, Gayab Aaya, Guchhae, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Jungle Book Shonen Mowgli (a dubbed Hindi version of a Japanese anime with original music composed by Vishal Bharadwaj), Talespin & Duck Tales, also the comic plays of Charlie Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy and Didi's Comedy Show.
  • Among the earliest documentary films produced by Doordarshan in Delhi are The Peacock Calls (1968), TRS-FRS (1968), The Floods May Come and Go (1969), and University Girls (1971).
  • Some of the Transtel-Cologne shows that were popularly played on Doordarshan include, Telematch, The Old Fox, Derrick, and Scene of Crime. Doordarshan also played NBC's Knight Rider starring David Hasselhoff and ABC's Street Hawk as part of its Sunday afternoon broadcast during the mid- and late 80s.
  • Doordarshan brought to the Indian viewers geographical documentaries made by the great marine explorer Jacques Cousteau (Secrets of the Sea) and the British naturalist David Attenborough (The Living Planet)
  • Ekta Kapoor's Kayamat, Ithihaas and many other shows from Balaji Telefilms were broadcast on this channel.
  • Premnath Shetty's (Koshish) forthcoming Serial.

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