• Source:JND

Longest Indian Running Hindi TV Serials: Hindi television has been the major source of entertainment for Indian households for decades. There have been many daily soaps that have come and gone over the years, yet a few of them have left sweet and unforgettable impressions for touching stories, emotional depth and relationships with the audience, with some being regarded as classics. Kumkum Bhagya is one of them because, in large part, it's one of the most popular serials of all time, as it has been on air for nearly 11 years on Zee TV.

However, the series is now set to go off air shortly, leaving a legacy of amazing characters like Abhi and Pragya and these crazy twists and turns that filled an audience for over ten years. With Kumkum Bhagya coming to an end, audiences are going back to the golden period of Indian TV serials that became a part of their daily routine.

10 Longest Running Hindi TV serials In India

From Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, which continues to run strong even after 16 years, to iconic shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, many shows have helped establish Indian television in the cultural lexicon. We have compiled a list of the top 10 Hindi TV serials that have defined family-oriented drama, love stories, and emotional storytelling over many years.

Show Name Years Ran/ running  Start Date End Date Channel Episodes
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai  16 years 12 Jan 2009 Ongoing Star Plus 4,870
Kumkum Bhagya  11 years 15 Apr 2014 Ongoing Zee TV 3,162
Balika Vadhu  8 years 21 Jul 2008 31 Jul 2016 Colors TV 2,248
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi  8 years 3 Jul 2000 6 Nov 2008 Star Plus 1,833
Saath Nibhaana Saathiya  7 years 3 May 2010 23 Jul 2017 Star Plus 2,181
Kundali Bhagya  7 years 12 Jul 2017 6 Dec 2024 Zee TV 2,048
Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii  7 years 16 Oct 2000 9 Oct 2008 Star Plus 1,661
Sasural Simar Ka  6 years 25 Apr 2011 2 Mar 2018 Colors TV 2,063
Yeh Hai Mohabbatein  6 years 3 Dec 2013 18 Dec 2019 Star Plus 1,894
Kasauti Zindagi Ki  6 years 29 Oct 2001 28 Feb 2008 Star Plus 1,423

Source: Wikipedia 

1. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (16 Years – Star Plus)

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (3)Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: IMDb)

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is India's longest-running Hindi TV serial, running for over a decade since 2009. The series was initially based on the lives of Akshara and Naitik and then transitioned to their kids' lives. The show revolves around love, family values, and bonding through generations. Hina Khan and Karan Mehra became household names through the show. Over time, Shivangi Joshi, Mohsin Khan, Pranali Rathod and Harshad Chopda also grew into massive popularity due to the show. At present, Samridhhi Shukla and Rohit Purohit are leading the current track.

2. Kumkum Bhagya (11 Years – Zee TV)

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (4)Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: IMDb)

Kumkum Bhagya is a romantic drama that premiered in 2014 about a rockstar, Abhi and a schoolteacher, Pragya. Shabir Ahluwalia and Sriti Jha are well-recognised television stars now, mainly due to their romantic chemistry in this show. Mugdha Chapekar, Krishna Kaul also became popular from this show. It was a serial that revolved around love, separation and familial drama and continues to be one of Zee TV's top serials.

3. Balika Vadhu (8 Years – Colours TV)

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (5)Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: IMDb)

Balika Vadhu, aired between 2008 and 2016, was a pioneering series that represented child marriage in rural India. The story of little Anandi (Avika Gor) reached to hearts of millions. And subsequently, actors like late Pratyusha Banerjee, Toral Rasputra and Siddharth Shukla (Shiv) gained tremendous popularity. Balika Vadhu was a mix of emotions and a social issue.

 

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4. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (8 Years – Star Plus)

This legendary soap opera by Ekta Kapoor aired from 2000 to 2008 and set the foundation for the Indian daily soap trend. It revolved around the Virani family and their ideal daughter-in-law, Tulsi, played by Smriti Irani. The show turned her into a national icon. It showcased joint family dynamics, traditions, and dramatic twists.

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (6)Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: Instagram)

5. Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (7 Years – Star Plus)

This family drama, launched in 2010, is best known for Gopi Bahu and Kokila Modi, portrayed by Devoleena Bhattacharjee (Gopi) and Rupal Patel (Kokila). They became immensely popular. The show took a lot of chances when it comes to relationships, duties, and value systems in a traditional joint family.

6. Kundali Bhagya (7 Years – Zee TV)

This is a spin-off of Kumkum Bhagya and began in 2017. It was about Preeta and Karan’s story and was full of romance, drama, and family fights. The lead to this series was played by Shraddha Arya and Dheeraj Dhoopar, both of whom earned enormous fan followings. The show was known for the chemistry of the leads and for the unexpected plot twists that consistently kept the audience engaged.

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (7)10 Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: IMDb)

7. Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (7 Years – Star Plus)

Aired from 2000 to 2008, this show was a massive hit in its time. It portrayed the story of Parvati, an ideal daughter-in-law navigating the ups and downs of her joint family. Sakshi Tanwar became a celebrated TV actress thanks to this role. The show focused on family values, responsibilities, and emotional conflicts.

8. Sasural Simar Ka (6 Years – Colours TV)

Started in 2011, Sasural Simar Ka is known for its unique mix of traditional family drama and supernatural twists. Dipika Kakar as Simar and Avika Gor as Roli gained popularity through the show. Despite its unusual turns, the show remained a TRP favourite for years.

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (8)Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: IMDb)

9. Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (6 Years – Star Plus)

This romantic drama began in 2013, showcasing Ishita and Raman's love story as they unite for the sake of a child. Divyanka Tripathi (Ishita) and Karan Patel (Raman) also experienced great adoration from viewers. The show focused on parenting, love after marriage and emotional bonding.

 

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10. Kasautii Zindagii Kay (6 Years – Star Plus)

top 10 longest running hindi tv serials in india (2)Longest-running TV serials in India (Image: IMDb)

Aired from 2001 to 2008, this iconic serial narrated the complicated love story of Anurag and Prerna. Shweta Tiwari and Cezanne Khan gained stardom, while Urvashi Dholakia’s character Komolika became one of the most famous villains on TV. It was a classic tale of love, betrayal, and sacrifice. Later, the show was remade again with the same character but with different actors, such as Erica Fernandes and Parth Samthan.