The TV industry has a long history of borrowing storylines from other sources, often with mixed results. Some shows manage to put their own spin on the original material, while others struggle to replicate the success of their inspiration. This phenomenon is not limited to Indian television, as many popular shows around the world have been inspired by or directly copied from other sources.
Cases of copied storylines
Several Indian TV serials have been accused of copying storylines from other sources. For example, the serial ‘Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin’ was compared to ‘Bepanah’, starring Jennifer Winget and Harshad Chopda, due to similarities in their promotional videos. Another example is ‘Badho Bahu’, which was likened to the Hindi film ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ due to its similar theme of a plus-sized protagonist. This serial starred Ritasya Rathore and Prince Narula in the lead roles. ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’, a popular serial in 2003, was based on the Colombian serial ‘Yo Soy Betty, La Fea’. ‘Zaban Sambhal Ke’, a comedic serial from 1993, was an Indian adaptation of the British sitcom ‘Mind Your Language’. The storyline of ‘Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani’ was reportedly influenced by the Hollywood serial ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and the ‘Twilight’ film series. ‘Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny’ drew inspiration from the 1980s American TV serial ‘Small Wonder’. Lastly, ‘Hello Friends’, which aired in 1999, was an Indian version of the popular American sitcom ‘Friends’, but it failed to gain traction and was cancelled after just 26 episodes.
Reception of copied storylines
The success of TV serials with copied storylines varies greatly. While some manage to captivate audiences and achieve significant success, others fail to resonate with viewers. The key to success often lies in how well the original material is adapted to suit local tastes and preferences. For instance, ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’ was well-received, while ‘Hello Friends’ was not. The TV industry continues to draw inspiration from various sources, and the outcome of these adaptations depends on several factors, including the execution and the audience’s reception of the material.
- Badho Bahu (2016) – a romantic drama serial with a storyline similar to ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’
- Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin (2003) – based on the Colombian serial ‘Yo Soy Betty, La Fea’
- Zaban Sambhal Ke (1993) – an Indian adaptation of the British sitcom ‘Mind Your Language’
- Pyaar Ki Ek Kahani (2010) – influenced by ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Twilight’
- Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny (2003) – inspired by ‘Small Wonder’
- Hello Friends (1999) – an Indian version of the American sitcom ‘Friends’