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1990s Indian television

Indian television in the 1990s was a transformative era, marked by the debut of Doordarshan's iconic serials like "Ramayan" and "Mahabharat," which fostered shared cultural experiences. The decade also saw the entry of private channels like Zee TV and Star TV, introducing a wider variety of entertainment, including family dramas, sitcoms, and reality shows. Technologically, most content was broadcast in standard definition, and cable TV expanded viewership beyond urban centers. This period laid the foundation for India’s dynamic TV industry, blending traditional storytelling with emerging entertainment trends, and setting the stage for the explosion of Indian television in the 2000s.