The shelf life of Indian TV shows is as long as melted mozzarella. Season after season, leap after leap, they keep getting longer, with more twisted characters and more drama. The most fascinating part is even if you don’t watch any Hindi serials, you definitely must have heard their names. But do you know the interesting story behind their titles that make them so catchy?
Most of them inspired by popular Bollywood songs that were a super hit at the time. The makers found it advantageous to have new TV shows named after them. To quote Prashaant Bhatt, the Fiction Head at Colors TV, “The title says a lot about the show and is apt with the storyline. It’s an added advantage to use a popular film song as the serial title has high recall.” Virendra Shahaney, Head of Fiction Programming at Sony Entertainment Television, agrees, “It is not a conscious effort to name a serial after a popular movie song, but there is one definitive advantage with such titles and that is that audiences catch on to them quickly. They connect with the viewers very well because of the familiarity with the song.”
Let’s see how true is this. Here are 10 of the most popular TV shows that were actually named after Bollywood songs or inspired by them.
1. Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi (2014-2016)
The title was inspired by the song Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2. Doesn’t ring a bell? Think the lyrics – Chain bhi, mera dard bhi, meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho… In fact, the serial’s title track was the movie song itself.
2. Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha (2012-2012)
The serial’s title was taken from the eponymous song. Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha from the movie Baaton Baaton Mein was one of the most popular songs of its time. “The crux of the show is such that even if there didn’t exist a song like that we would have still titled it that way,” said Prashaant while talking about the TV serial.
3. Kya Huaa Tera Vaada (2012-2013)
Kya Hua Tera Vada is again a popular song by the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi from the film Hum Kisise Kum Naheen.
4. Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? (2011-Present)
If you can’t recall what song this serial’s title was taken from, you are not a true 90’s kid. Of course, it is from the Tusshar Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor starrer Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai. Songs that start like “Rabba mere rabba rabba, rabba mere rabba…” are hard to forget. In case you are still wondering, the song is Is Pyar Ko Main Kya Naam Doon by Sonu Nigam.
While we are the subject, the TV serial is returning to television after six years. Here is everything you need to know about it.
5. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (2011-2014)
The show may be off the air, the song may be old now, but it is still fresh, thanks to Radio City who has turned the original song into a catchphrase. The song goes by the same title and is from the film Balika Badhu.
6. Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai (2011-2013)
Ah! The official Rakshabandhan song. This serial’s title is actually the second line in the song titled Phoolon Ka Taron Ka sung by Kishore Kumar from the movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna. It goes something like this – Phoolon ka taron ka sabka kehna hai, ek hazaron mein meri behna hai…
7. Kuch Toh Log Kahenge (2011-2013)
This Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore song sung by Kishore Da from the movie Amar Prem is quite literally amar (meaning immortal or in this context evergreen). And that is where the serial’s title came from.
8. Dekha Ek Khwaab (2011-2012)
Dekha Ek Khwaab is probably the most romantic songs from probably the most romantic Hindi film, Silsila. This Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha starrer is a highly acclaimed film. The serial’s title is taken from this song.
9. Sasural Genda Phool (2010-2012)
Remember the song Genda Phool from Sonam Kapoor’s Dilli 6? The song that quickly earned fame owing to its offbeat rhythm, chirpy lyrics and Abhishek Bachchan’s funky hook step. That was the inspiration behind this serial’s title. Saas gaari deve, devar saamjha deve, sasural genda phool…
10. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2009-Present)
Hina Khan’s career hike is the result of this serial. It is titled after the song by the same name from the film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities. Such a sweet song, I must add.
Most of these TV shows are off the air now, but we still remember them! All because of this interesting trend. How many of these did you already know?
POPxo is now available in six languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla.
AWESOME NEWS! POPxo SHOP is now Open! Get 25% off on all the super fun mugs, phone covers, cushions, laptop sleeves, and more! Use coupon code POPXOFIRST. Online shopping for women never looked better!
