India, as we know is diverse. Diversity is unbound in language, food, culture, and arts. Nonetheless, a few common emotions bring these vividly different cultures and people together – one of them is laughter. In this post, we shall be listing the top Indian comedy series that revised the landscape of Indian television time and time again.
The list consists of Indian comedy series and TV shows that have provided the Indian diaspora with years of laughter, and at times watering our eyes as well. To maintain the list as a script-oriented Indian sitcom with characters; stand-up and talk shows such as Great Indian Laughter Challenge and The Kapil Sharma Show are not a part of the list. Let’s begin with our list of the top Indian television comedy shows.
Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai
Despite running for just two seasons over 13 years, Sarabhai v/s Sarabhi is one of India’s top favourite sitcoms. Though the number of episodes is just 81, this timeless Indian sitcom provides unprecedented family humour. Barging from the traditional norms of Indian comedy shows, Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai visually surpasses the truths, triumphs, and misery of the upper class in Indian society.
With quirks leering around the passive-aggressive feuds of the family members and their peculiar antics, Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai is an Indian comedy show worth numerous watch (In case, you haven’t binged it already)!
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Though the show is now defunct on TV networks, it originally ran on STAR One (now defunct). Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai is available for online streaming on Disney + Hotstar.
Production: Hats Off Production
Starring: Ratna Pathak Shah, Satish Shah, Rajesh Kumar, Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguli, and Deven Bhojani
Creators: Aatish Kapadia & Jamnadas Majethia (J.D.)
Khichdi
Every Indian born during the latter years of the Millennial is surely aware of the crazy quirks and idiotic behaviour of Parekh Parivaar. Khichdi not only defies every rational ideology of human behaviour, but it also entails the loving tale of one of the most remembered and iconic characters ever to perform on any Indian comedy show.
The show rallies around the peculiar and substantially foolish behaviour of the Parekh family. The show originally ran for 3 years from 2002 to 2004 encapsulating two seasons; which are differentiated by character’s appearances, setting, and varied storylines.
Like most of the sitcoms, Khichdi did not develop in plot as much as the characters. With wholesome performances and spectacular writing; this Indian comedy show has achieved a cult status in the Indian entertainment industry.
The popularity of the show allowed the creators to premiere a third season in 2018, almost a decade after the film based on the characters: Khichdi: The Movie (2010). Another motion picture based on the characters was released in 2023 titled, Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan.
Surely, not everyone is going to love the humour and slang of this Indian comedy show, but an unwavering and involuntary smile shall surely don your face. Khichdi is a show that takes time to grow on the viewer, if not instantly then over a few episodes.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Though the show is now defunct on TV networks, it originally ran on several channels of the STAR network, notably, STAR Plus and STAR One (now defunct). Khichdi is available for online streaming on Disney + Hotstar.
Production: Hats Off Production
Main Star Cast: Supriya Pathak Kapoor, Anang Desai, Rajeev Mehta, Vandana Pathak, Jamnadas Majethia, and Kamlesh Oza
Creators: Aatish Kapadia & Jamnadas Majethia (J.D.)
Shubh Mangal Savadhan
Shubh Mangal Savadhan was an Indian comedy serial that aired on Sahara ONE for two years from 2002 to 2004.
While the world was rejoicing in the charms of American sitcoms like F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Everybody Loves Raymond, young Indian adults related proficiently to three friends sharing an apartment in Urban India.
The plot of this Indian comedy series revolves around three roommates who are on a quest to find love, sustain their relationship and get married. The friends’ unique antics, and unprecedented outcomes while wooing their lady love create the perfect stage for apt situational comedy.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Though the show is now defunct on TV networks, it originally ran on Sahara ONE (now defunct). Specific episodes of Shubh Mangal Savadhan are available for online streaming on YouTube.
Production: Sahara India Media Communications Ltd
Main Star Cast: Dilip Joshi, Sumeet Raghavan, Amit Mistry, Sucheta Khanna, Hritu, Vaishalee Thakkar, and Dinyar Contractor
Creators: Hemal A. Thakkar
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is an iconic Indian comedy serial. Since 2008, this comedy serial is broadcast on Indian television. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is a beloved Indian sitcom amongst audiences in urban as well as rural India.
An ensemble cast of the finest Indian theatre and television actors lead this Indian comedy series. Although over the last decade and a half, several cast members have been replaced; the show still runs strong.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s plot revolves around the daily lives of the residents of Gokuldham Society. The show heavily promotes a positive outlook towards life through peculiar incidents and jolly characters. Despite the title, the primary protagonist is Jethalal Champaklal Gada, Taarak Mehta’s best friend.
With a primetime slot of 30 minutes on television, this comedy show is perhaps the most popular in India. This show has not only garnered fame but also revived the struggling network since its inception.
In case you haven’t watched the show, or have abandoned it mid-way, it is a strong suggestion to resume with the latest episodes. The situational comedy aspect is the primary humour element with timely punchlines and hilarious comebacks.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is broadcast on SAB TV from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM IST. Additionally, the show is available for free online streaming on SONY LIV.
Production: Neela Film Productions
Main Star Cast: Dilip Joshi, Disha Vakani, Amit Bhatt, Sachin Shroff, Munmun Dutta, Mandar Chandwadkar, Sonalika Joshi, Shyam Pathak, and Sunayana Fozdar.
Creators: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was created for television by Asit Kumar Modi; which is based on Chitralekha’s column Dooniya Ne Undha Chashmah by Tarak Mehta.
Kahu Chu, Sambhdo Cho?
Kahu Chu, Sambhdo Cho was a Gujarati language Indian comedy series that ran from August 2020 to April 2021. Though the show ran for less than a year, the content-rich family entertainer provided laughter through the ingenious ideas of the female lead – Sejal.
The show is set in a neighbourhood in Ahmedabad where a family of four – Husband, wife, son, and husband’s mother reside. The daily situations are portrayed with a touch of humour resulting in an array of comical situations.
Kahu Chu, Sambhdo Cho? is a must-watch show for all comedy series lovers.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Kahu Chu, Sambhdo Cho was televised on Viacom 18’s Colors Gujarati channel. However, this comedy series is currently not televised. The show is available for free streaming on Jio Cinema with English subtitles.
Production: Violet Wings
Main Star Cast: Atul Patel, Mansi Panchal, Nilesh Kothare, and Rutesh Patel.
Creators: This Indian comedy show is created by Mayuri Dhaval Pandya, Nilesh Kothare, and Ramendra Vashishth.
Badi Door Se Aaye Hai
Badi Door Se Aaye Hai was perhaps the most well-known sci-fi comedy Indian serial that premiered on Indian television in June 2014 and ran till November 2016.
This Indian sitcom encompassed an alien family arriving on Earth to find their long-lost son. While settling into their daily lives and roles as human beings, the family encompasses the societal norms and social cues of the Indian culture and their neighbourhood. With their mission in mind, the family usually ends up in troublesome situations resulting in hilarious outcomes for the characters.
Badi Door Se Aaye Hai is one of the few Indian shows focusing on the compatibility between humans and aliens. Besides the show sets a positive mindset that family cares for each other, irrespective of whether we are humans or aliens.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Badi Door Se Aaye Hai was broadcast on SAB TV. However, this comedy series is currently not televised. The show is available for online streaming on SONY LIV.
Production: Hats Off Production
Main Star Cast: Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Bhosale, Vinay Rohrra, Bhavna Khatri, Amit Dolawat, Puneet Talreja, Sujay Bhagwe, and Vindhya Tiwari.
Creators: Badi Door Se Aaaye Hai was created by Aatish Kapadia and Jamnadas Majethia.
Khidki
Khidki was a series of comical, feel-good short stories represented through a fictionalized account of true stories of Indians across various ages and eras. Though a short run on television, it is an Indian comedy show to have a strong impact. The show went off air after a six-month (June 2016 to December 2016) run constituting a total of 120 episodes.
The stories represented in a dramatized and nurtured version were originally pulled off Twitter. This Indian comedy series incorporated elements of humour, drama, and laughter in an amicable amalgamation of pure entertainment.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: SAB TV broadcasted Khidki throughout its entire television run. The show is available for free online streaming on YouTube.
Production: Hats Off Production and Benchmark Pictures
Main Star Cast: Khidki did not have a set cast as the show revolved around several short stories. Though, the show was hosted by one of the superstars of Indian comedy television – Jamnadas Majethia who was later joined by Rakul Preet Singh.
Creators: The Khidki show is created by the esteemed filmmaker, Umesh Shukla.
Dekh Bhai Dekh
Dekh Bhai Dekh is an Indian comedy serial that aired on DD Metro TV Channel (Doordarshan Metro) from May 1993 to August 1994. It is one of the earliest comedy shows on Indian television. The show revolves around an extended Indian family that lives together in a single Bungalow in suburban Mumbai.
This Indian comedy TV series aired only for 65 episodes before discontinuation. However, in the short span of one year and three months, the performances of the ensemble cast made them household names across India.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: DD Metro broadcasted Dekh Bhai Dekh. The show is available for free online streaming on YouTube.
Production: Jaya Bachchan produced the show under Saraswati Audio Visuals Pvt. Ltd banner.
Main Star Cast: Shekhar Suman, Navin Nischol, Fareeda Jalal, Bhavna Balsavar, Sushma Seth, Deven Bhojai, and NK Shivpuri.
Creators: Anand Mahendroo created this Indian comedy series.
Zabaan Sambhalke
Zabaan Sambhalke is one of the most iconic Indian television comedy shows. The show premiered in 1993 and ran till 1998. Though a remake of the classic British sitcom, Mind Your Language; Zabaan Sambhalke adapts to suit Indian audiences with culture-specific references. This Indian comedy series features some of the most exquisite performances by some of the best actors.
The plot of the show revolves around an engineer-turned-professor who is assigned the duty to teach Hindi at the National Language Institute. Dekh Bhai Dekh takes a pretty bold step in the mid-90s when adults are sitting in a classroom and learning the national language of the country.
A hilarious script, spectacular performances, and an ultimate treat for 30 minutes made Zabaan Sambhalke one of the most sought-after shows in the Indian comedy industry.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: DD Metro broadcasted the first season (54 episodes) of Zabaan Sambhalke; whereas Home TV (now defunct) broadcasted the latter second season (52 episodes). Zabaan Sambhalke is available for online streaming on ShemarooMe and YouTube.
Production: Eagle Video Films
Main Star Cast: Pankaj Kapur, Shubha Khote, Viju Khote, Bhavna Balsavar, Meenakshi Shukla, Tom Alter, Tanaaz Irani, Rajinder Mehra, and Hosi Vasunia.
Creators: Zabaan Sambhalke is the Indian version of the popular British sitcom, Mind your Language by Vince Powell.
Office Office
Office Office is one of the primary shows that gained attention from every Indian with relatable situations and satirical comedy skits. The show revolves around a common man and his struggles to overcome corruption, laziness and stubbornness often faced in the Indian offices. Though the show does not focus on a particular industry, every episode brings in a new skit.
The show has harboured sentimental value over the last two decades for its poignant portrayal of Indian offices, though not true in its entirety.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: SAB TV broadcast Office Office for 128 episodes. Selective episodes of the show are available for online streaming on Dailymotion.
Production: F.C. Mehra produced Office Office.
Main Star Cast: Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Deven Bhojani, Asawari Joshi, Sanjay Mishra, Hemant Pandey, and Eva Grover.
Creators: Ashwini Dhir wrote Office Office.
Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai
Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai is an Indian comedy serial that premiered in March 2015 and is still running on Indian television.
The show revolves around two couples who live across the street in Kanpur, where the men continuously flirt with each other’s ladies in an attempt to woo them. With every try, the men find themselves in a ruckus of hilarious situations that concoct great laughter.
Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai? is not only a relatable Indian comedy series, but it also encapsulates the daily issues of modern Indian couples without kids.
This Indian sitcom has brought back the age-old trend of funny catchphrases and ongoing gags that were popular in the 90s. Though this show is not a cup of tea for everyone, it surely leaves a mark on the viewer.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Currently, &TV broadcasts Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai. The show is available for online streaming on Zee5.
Production: Edit II Productions
Main Star Cast: The current star cast consists of Aasif Sheikh, Rohitaush Gaud, Shubhangi Atre, Vidisha Srivastava, Saanand Verma, and Yogesh Tripathi.
Creators: Manoj Santoshi and Raghuvir Shekhawat serve as writers for this Indian comedy series.
Hum Paanch
The show, Hum Paanch is one of the most popular 90s Indian sitcoms. While the world was rejoicing in American sitcoms like F.R.I.E.N.D.S, India was eagerly waiting for the next episode of Hum Paanch. With quirky characters, exceptional writing, and a stellar star cast, Hum Paanch quickly gained popularity amongst the Indian audience.
The plot of the show revolves around Anand Mathur and his family consisting of his five daughters and second wife; Anand Mathur remarried after the death of his first wife. Due to the antics of each of his daughters, Anand Mathur usually found himself in troublesome, yet funny situations.
Hum Paanch is a cult classic for Indian audiences. Indian audiences still remember this show for its unique characters and launching the careers of some of the greatest actors in the Indian entertainment industry.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Zee TV broadcasted Hum Paanch. It is available for free online streaming on Zee5.
Production: Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor produced Hum Paanch under the Balaji Telefilms banner.
Main Star Cast: Ashok Saraf, Shoma Anand, Priya Tendulkar, Vandana Pathak, Vidya Balan, Rakhi Vijan, Bhairavi Raichura, and Priyanka Mehra.
Creators: Imtiaz Patel wrote this show.
Jijaji Chhat Parr Hai
Jijaji Chhat Parr Hai is an Indian comedy series that was live on Indian television from 2018 to 2020.
The show revolves around two best friends who rent the attic of a bungalow in Delhi. While disguised as a married couple, the lead (affectionately summoned, Jijaji) falls for the landlord’s bubbly and street-smart daughter, Elaichi.
With several struggles and humourous situations, Jijaji Chhat Par Hai made a fun 30-minute television. The quirky characters coupled with extensively utilized catchphrases and relatable situations made this Indian television comedy show a relaxing watch.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: From January 2018 to February 2020, the show ran on SAB TV. Jijaji Chhat Par Hai is available for online streaming on SONY LIV.
Production: Edit II Productions and Laha Entertainment produced this Indian comedy series.
Main Star Cast: Hiba Nawab, Nikhil Khurana, Anup Upadhyay, Soma Rathod, Harveer Singh, and Raashi Bawa.
Creators: Manoj Santoshi and Raghuvir Shekhawat wrote for this Indian television comedy series. Harshada Pranav Pathak served as the creative director.
The Office India
A straight remake of The Office US. This Hindi version of the globally renowned American sitcom did not disappoint with Chadda as the branch head of Wilkins-Chawla Paper Co. in Faridabad.
The episodes align with a similar storyline from The Office US with cultural-specific references; while costumes, jokes, pranks, and employees’ persona are some of the major differences. While the show does live up to the Indian audience’s hype, it ran only for two seasons. Nonetheless, The Office India made the Indian audience laugh with exceptional performances by novice and veteran actors.
Although The Office did not air on television, it still deserves a place on the list of Indian sitcoms.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: The Office India is available for online streaming on Disney + Hotsar. The show did not air on television.
Production: BBC Studios India and Applause Entertainment
Main Star Cast: Mukul Chadda, Gopal Datt, Sayandeep Sengupta, Samridhi Dewan, Abhinav Sharma, Preeti Kochar, and Priyanka Setia.
Creators: Rajesh Devraj created and adapted The Office India for Indian audiences. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are the creators of The Office.
Sandwiched Forever
Sandwiched Forever is an Indian comedy web series featuring some of the most seasoned actors in the Indian entertainment industry.
The story revolves around a newly married couple living in an apartment building in Mumbai where the next-door neighbours are the in-laws. Though the show consists of only 15 episodes, situational humour and comical idiosyncrasies deliver a laughter-filled punch. Spectacular acting, creative writing, and exceptional direction by Rohan Sippy make Sandwiched Forever a worthy watch.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: This Indian comedy series is available for online streaming on SONY LIV. The show did not air on television.
Production: Studio Next
Main Star Cast: Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Aahana Kumra, Atul Kulkarni, Lubna Salim, Zakir Hussain, and Divya Seth.
Creators: Triyambh Entertainment and Media Pvt. Ltd [Team]
Happy Family: *Conditions Applied
Happy Family: *Conditions Applied is an Indian comedy web series of 10 episodes airing from March 2023. Though the series is still the newest Indian comedy serial, it is worth a watch.
The plot revolves around four generations of Dholakia family living in suburban Mumbai. The simple take on a modern family where the matriarch of the family engages in drinking activities and playful foul-mouthing makes a fun watch. Besides, the show vividly portrays several modern norms such as woman empowerment, infidelity, nuclear families etc.
Happy Family: *Conditions Applied is a new-age family comedy show; the show portrays the concept of the generation gap that results in hilarious situations. This is a must-watch family show for its subtle, yet profound portrayal of conversations Indian families avoid at the dinner table.
TV Channel and Online Streaming: Happy Family: *Conditions Applied is only available for online streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The show did not air on television.
Production: Hats Off Production
Main Star Cast: Raj Babbar, Ratna Pathak Shah, Atul Kulkarni, Ayesha Jhulka, Raunaq Kamdar, Meenal Sahu, Sanah Kapur, and Ahaan Saboo.
Creators: Aatish Kapadia and Jamnadas Majethia [J.D.] have written and directed Happy Family: *Conditions Applied.
Concluding the list of Indian comedy series and sitcoms
With this, we complete our list of the top Indian comedy shows or as some like to call it, Indian sitcoms. Have we missed any shows? Do let us know in the comments below.
Note: This list is purely from the author’s point of view and holds no resemblance to any show or individual.
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