Hindi TV Shows over the years have evolved according to the changing taste of the audience. Beginning in the 1980s , this evolution has been progressive and also very interesting to the kids and female viewers of our generation. Being a ninety’s kid, I have seen the changing faces of male and female protagonists on the serials. And yes, many of them were very captivating. Let’s take a look at the most popular female protagonists of Hind serials, beginning from the early years of Indian TV.
- Chandrakanta in Chandrakanta on Doordarshan: Shikha SwaroopÂ
Shikha Swaroop playing the fictional character of princess Chandrakanta was a treat to watch. The actress was a famed beauty queen with few roles in bollywood movies and with the serial , she became a known face in the Indian household. The demure princess, struggling with political and magical powers to reach her lover, Kuvar Virendra Singh ( played by Shahbaz Khan) made for an intriguing watch on Doordarshan.
- Shanti in the serial Shanti on Doordarshan: Mandira Bedi
The independent and bold Shanti, played by Mandira Bedi, got very high TRPs on Doordarshan. The character trying to fight odds single handedly became the mirror of the changing Indian woman’s stature in the society. Her elegant sarees, big bindis became a style icon for leading ladies who followed.
- Nikita in Arohan :Pallavi Joshi
Pallavi Joshi, with her image of a girl next door , played the character of Nikita in the serial Arohan. In a make belief scenario, the character is one of the candidates in Indian navy and combats even war situations. The character was loved by budding armed force enthusiasts.
 
- Svetlana in Swabhiman:
Kittu Gidwani playing Svetlana , a mistress, of a rich man was not a conventional character. But the serial showed a different side to feminity and it was highly accepted. The actress got much popularity and so did the character. Many accomplished actors of those times were in the serial.
- Tulsi in Kyuki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi:
Smriti Irani playing the elegant, sacrificing yet bold bahu has gone down in the history of Indian TV has an epic. The serial was the talk of the town and with every household glued to the TV set to watch the serial. The character was adored by one and all for it’ eloquence and Indian virtues and there began the saas bahu saga which seems never ending on our TV.
- Prerana In Kasauti Zindagi Kay :
Shweta Tiwari playing the demure yet bold Indian girl who is jilted in love and becomes a single parent was an intriguing premise for a great potboiler. The character and the actress both got much fame among the TV audience.
- Anandi in Balika Vadhu:
Keeping a realistic premise for TV serial , had not got it’s foot hold then when Balika Vadhu was launched. The character of the 11 year old Anandi with innocence and playfulness entering her in law’s house and getting accustomed to the new ways of life was as interesting as pitiable. Avika Gor nailed it with her acting and she became a popular face on TV and remains that.
- Jassi in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi:
Jasmeet Walia became famous overnight right from the release of the promos. The character was cute, sweet, bubbly and ugly. But was very endearing to the TV audience who watched the ordinary girl’s dream of becoming a fashionista and marrying her Boss. Mona Singh , playing Jassi, became a celebrity overnight.
- Chandramukhi Chautala in FIR:
The serial got high TRPs for it’s funny rustic dialogues and characters that seemed to be having flesh and blood. Chandramukhi Chautala , a female cop, was highly entertaining and we must say she is one of her kind on the television. Kavita Kaushik, the actress, is unmatched in her acting.
