Top TV shows that had the viewers hooked in 2017

As in the earlier years, 2017, too, saw a mix of good, bad and indifferent shows on Hindi GECs. ‘Bigg Boss 11’ with the usual controversies and the theme of ‘padosis’ this year has been garnering its own band of followers. ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ on Zee TV is continuing strong and has been among the top 5 shows on Hindi GECs in Rural+Urban for several weeks now. Its spin-off show, ‘Kundali Bhagya’, has also been wooing the audiences. 

Singing talent hunt show for kids, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs’, also put up a strong show, especially in the final stages. First season of the show hit the airwaves in 2006. Another popular reality show is ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. The show, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, returned on air in 2017 after a gap of three years. After a long time television is seeing an interesting talk show – ‘TED Talks India Nayi Soch’. Hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, the weekend show on Star Plus commenced in December 2017 and is something to watch out for as the series unfolds with its line-up of inspirational speaks from different walks of life. Will it attain the popular status of Aamir Khan hosted ‘Satyamev Jayate’? It remains to be seen. 

Also, a word here on ‘Pehredaar Piya Ki’, the show that faced severe flak from all quarters for its regressive content and showing romance and marriage between a 9-10-year old boy and an 18-year old girl. Sony TV had to take the show off air following the criticisms. 

Adgully has done its own round-up of the most popular shows of 2017 and presents it to you in no particular order… 

Kundali Bhagya:

This Zee TV show is a spin-off of one of its hit shows, ‘Kumkum Bhagya’, which recently completed 1,000 episodes. ‘Kundali Bhagya’ is the story of Pragya’s two sisters – Preeta and Shrishti, and their attempts to reunite with their mother Sarla, as well as their dynamics with an affluent Punjabi family – the Luthras and their two sons, the elder one Rishabh Luthra and the younger son Karan Luthra. The show has not only strengthened Zee’s bouquet, but also lit up BARC weekly ratings, claiming the numero uno spot. The show premiered on July 12, 2017 and airs Monday to Friday at 9.30 pm. 

Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara:

The story is about a girl named Ahana (Smriti Kalra), who is married to a guy Anant Mathur (Sanjay Kapoor) – a charming husband who is well settled and loving family man, who never fails to make her feel special. However, something happens which puts her marriage at stake. This show on Star Plus marks the production debut of Vikram Bhatt on television. Started since October 23, 2017, the show airs every Monday to Friday at 10.30 pm. 

Kya Haal Mr. Panchaal:

The sitcom on Star Bharat has been making an appearance in the top 5 most watched shows on Hindi GECs in Rural+Urban in recent weeks. Starring Kanchan Gupta and Manindar Singh in the lead, the show follows the consequences that a mother faces when her desperate prayer for the perfect bride with all 5 qualities (beauty, wisdom, romantic, culinary skills and religious) finally gets answered, but with a strange twist. The sitcom revolves around a mother-in-law’s plight when, instead of getting 1 bride with 5 qualities she gets 5 brides with 1 quality each. Launched on August 28, the show airs Monday to Friday at 8.00 pm. 

Porus:

Produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewary under the banner of Swastik Production, ‘Porus’ is a big budget show with grand sets and foreign locales. The show depicts the untold story of the greatest conqueror of the world, Alexander, and the most spirited defender of India, Porus. Set in 350 BC, the story will trace its roots and history to a time when India was at its glorious best and a time when Porus resisted the first attack on Indian soil by Alexander. It is the first show, where the producer holds the IP rights. This mega historical show premiered on November 27 and airs every Monday to Friday at 8.30 pm on Sony TV. 

KBC:

After the hiatus of 3 years, ‘KBC 9’ was back on Sony TV with same zeal and zest and the ever popular host Amitabh Bachchan. This time it came up with new lifelines, thrilling format and an array of technological advancements in a concisely packaged limited episode season. The hitherto ‘Phone-a-Friend’ lifeline was revamped this season to Video-A-Friend. Additionally, a new life line ‘Jodidaar’ was introduced – wherein the participant can bring along a partner to join him/her on the coveted hot seat. The game was made more exciting with the introduction of a jackpot question for Rs 7 crore. 

Ikyawann:

The story of the show revolves around a diffident girl, Susheel, the 51st child of the Parekh family. A road accident kills all the female members of Parekh family except Susheel’s mother. Avni gives birth to Susheel, but dies. Susheel has been brought up by the 4 men in her family – her father, grandfather, Chacha and Mama. In a society where girls are expected to fit into a certain feminine mould, it is to be watched whether Susheel turns out exactly like her mother, that is, the 4 men who have played mom to her. This show premiered on November 13 and air every Monday to Friday at 8.30 pm on Star Plus. 

Aunty Boli Lagao Boli :

This game show gives viewers a chance to participate live along with the audience. ‘Aunty Boli Lagao Boli’ gives an opportunity to everyone with a phone to play in a televised live game show. The viewers can bid live for a new car from the comfort of their homes via the Chasebid app or website www.chasebid.com. The person who places the lowest unique bid will see his/her photo, name and location Live on Colors. The bidding rules are such that the lowest unique bid with two decimal places wins a brand new car. This unique game show premiered on September 24 and airs every Sunday at 12 noon on Colors. 

‘Rishton Ka Chakravyuh’:

Star Plus’ show, ‘Rishton Ka Chakravyuh’, depicts the collision between an authoritative woman, Satrupa, and her daughter, Anami. Set amidst a royal backdrop, the show focuses on a rich industrialist family residing at the majestic Lal Mahal, which is home to many conspiracies. The show premiered on August 7 and airs every Monday to Friday at 8 pm. 

Rising Star:

Colors experimented with a new format for its new singing talent hunt show, ‘Rising Star’, which featured a cast of celebrity experts and considered the viewers as the judges. During each performance, the audience was able to decide in real time whether or not a contestant is sent through to the next round by using a mobile voting app. While the viewers at home were considered the ‘judges’, the expert panelists could also influence the vote, but with continuously decreasing percentage votes over the total public vote and not exceeding 7 per cent of the total voting power. The finite show premiered on February 4, 2017 and aired every weekend at 9.00 pm on Colors. 

Rasoi Ki Jung, Mummyion Ke Sung :

Hosted by Rithvik Dhanjani and judged by Chef Ranveer Brar, this Colors' show is an Indian adaption of international cookery show, ‘My Mom Cooks Better Than Yours’, where the celebrities and their mothers take part in cooking face-offs. The fast-paced show not only tests the family dynamics, but also combines cooking and competition. Each team comprising of a mother-daughter/son duo is given a task to create a delicacy that should impress the judge. The 12-week show aired on Sundays at 1.00 pm, followed by repeat telecast on Saturdays at 10.00 am. 

Chandrakanta:

This year, Colors came up with another supernatural fantasy television series – ‘Chandrakanta’, which premiered on June 24, 2017 and airs every weekend at 8 pm. The show is produced by Ekta Kapoor and directed by Ranjan Kumar Singh under the banner of Balaji Telefilms. The show replaced ‘Naagin 2’ and stars Madhurima Tuli, Urvashi Dholakia, and Vishal Aditya Singh in the lead roles. 

Piya Albela:

A love story of Pooja and Naren – the Menaka and Vishwamitra of today’s generation – ‘Piya Albela’ revolves around Naren, who is lost in his own world of meditation, having no contact with the real world and how his parents approach Pooja, a warm, beautiful and confident B.Com student, to ignite a spark for the real world within him. ‘Piya Albela’ premiered on March 6 and airs every Monday to Friday at 8.30 pm on Zee TV.