Tune in to nostalgia: Iconic TV shows that need to return to the small screen

A decade after 'Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai' went off air, the cult television series will return to tickle our funny bones as an online series (Read more).

From left: Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Ganguly, Rakesh Kumar and Ratna Pathak Shah in a still from Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai

As we watch reruns of Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai in anticipation of a fresh season, it makes us wonder about other such iconic shows that need to return to the small screen ASAP! Some of Indian television's popular actors help us remember:

Banegi Apni Baat (1993-97)

Created by: Tony and Deeya Singh
What: The focus being college life,
it immediately struck a chord with youngsters. Contemporary business life was also touched upon in the show as was the diverse perspectives of homemakers and working women to life. Actors like Irrfan, R Madhavan, Varun Badola, Shefali Shah, Achint Kaur and Rakhee Tandon featured in the show.

Nostalgia note: "This show has a special place in my heart. It was quite forward in content for its time. It spoke about complicated relationships and confusing friendships that changed the thought process of a lot of people. It was a big hit then and I am sure that if they brought it back even today, it will do well," says Mohit Malik.

HIP HIP HURRAY (1998-2001)

Created by: Nupur Asthana
What: It was a complete entertainment package with equal doses of comedy and emotions thrown in. The show, which narrated the story of a bunch of 12th graders from DeNobili High School and dealt with youth issues like stress, peer pressure, career, drug abuse, love and relationships, attained cult status.

Nostalgia note: "Hip Hip Hurray was a big hit back then and had a unique concept. Even today, when I look back or watch the reruns of the show, it feels quite normal and nice. Internationally, I have been hoping for Friends to be brought back on TV," says Karan Patel

Byomkesh Bakshi (1993-97)

Based on: Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's book of the same name
What: This was the first Hindi TV series based on the book on the fictional detective, who was more of a truth seeker. It starred Rajit Kapur as detective Byomkesh Bakshi and KK Raina as his side-kick, Ajit Bandyopadhyay.

Nostalgia note: "It had a gripping content. The detective stories were interesting and thought provoking; you know that a lot of thought has been put into building the suspense and making the stories thrilling. The plots always interested me," says Shaleen Bhanot.

Chandrakanta (1994-96)

Based on: Devaki Nandan Khatri's eponymous novel
What: A fantasy series on eternal love story in the midst of a battle between two kingdoms, Naugarh and Vijaygarh. It featured Shikha Swaroop as Chandrakanta and Shahbaz Khan as Kunwar Virendra Vikram Singh. Irrfan, Kruttika Desai, Durga Jasraj, Anu Dhawan and Pankaj Dheer played key
roles.

Nostalgia note: "Chandrakanta was entertaining and interesting. The other mus-come-back show that comes to my mind is Hip Hip Hurray; because it was a lovely youth-oriented show that made so much sense. Since both the shows were entertaining, I would love to relive that again," says Mahhi Vij. Actress Hunar Hale also votes for Chandrakanta. She says, "I loved watching it for its magical concept. It was so intriguing and interesting. I remember waiting for it every Sunday. These days, there aren't such interesting fantasy fiction shows that will keep you gripped and tell a story too. Yakku was and is my all-time favourite character."

Shanti - Ek Aurat Ki Kahani ('90s)

Directed by: Adi Pocha
What: Kamesh Mahadevan and Raj GJ Singh are two friends, who are part of Bollywood's biggest production house. Their dark secrets are revealed when Shanti, an aspiring journalist hoping to write their biographies, arrives on the scene.

Nostalgia note: "Shanti was very women-centric, but for all the right reasons. It was something which made sense," says Deepika Singh.