Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii turns 26: Shweta Kawaatra on TV's 'different world'
Synopsis
Twenty-six years after 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' first aired, actress Shweta Kawaatra recalls a time when the show's 10 pm slot left city roads near-deserted — a vivid snapshot of pre-streaming India, when Ekta Kapoor's family drama didn't just top ratings; it reshaped how a nation spent its evenings.
Key Takeaways
Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii completed 26 years since its original premiere, with actress Shweta Kawaatra marking the milestone on social media.
Kawaatra played antagonist Pallavi opposite Sakshi Tanwar 's lead character Parvati Agarwal in the show.
The actress recalled that city roads would fall 'almost under curfew' at 10 pm on nights the show aired, reflecting its massive viewership.
She credited producer Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms , broadcaster Star Plus , cast, crew, and audiences for the show's enduring legacy.
Kawaatra described 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' as one of 'a rare few' shows to become 'a part of television history.'
Actress Shweta Kawaatra has looked back at her transformative journey on the iconic Indian television drama 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' as the show marked 26 years since its premiere. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, the actress described the era as a time when television was a 'different world' — one that could bring an entire city to a standstill.
A Tribute to the Show's Legacy
Kawaatra, who portrayed the complex antagonist Pallavi in the show, shared a series of throwback photographs featuring scenes alongside co-star Sakshi Tanwar. In her accompanying note, she expressed deep gratitude to producer Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms, the production house, broadcaster Star Plus, her fellow cast members, and the entire crew who worked behind the scenes.
'26 years of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. And some memories still feel like yesterday. Cheers to Ekta Kapoor for bringing the right people and stories together to create television magic. Thank you for trusting me with Pallavi, giving me the freedom to bring her to life, and always having my back,' she wrote.
When Roads Went Quiet at 10 PM
One of the most vivid recollections Kawaatra shared was of driving through the city around 10 pm on nights the show aired, only to find the streets nearly deserted — a testament to the show's extraordinary grip on viewers. 'I still remember driving through the city around 10 pm, when the roads felt almost under curfew, while Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii played in living rooms everywhere. Imagine that! Television really was a different world then, wasn't it?' she recalled. The anecdote captures a pre-streaming, pre-social-media India where primetime television commanded near-universal household attention.
Pallavi: More Than a Villain
Kawaatra also reflected on the nuance embedded in her character, pushing back against the label of a one-dimensional antagonist. 'Pallavi? Oh, Pallavi! She wasn't just a vamp. She was a character who made people watch, react, discuss and sometimes absolutely despise her! I'm grateful she carved out her own place in the audience's imagination,' she wrote. The character became one of Indian television's most-discussed negative leads of the early 2000s, demonstrating that grey-shaded characters could anchor long-running family dramas as effectively as protagonists.
The Show and Its Place in Television History
'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii', produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms and broadcast on Star Plus, featured Sakshi Tanwar in the lead role of Parvati Agarwal — a character that became synonymous with the ideal Indian daughter-in-law. The family drama ran for several years and is widely regarded as one of the defining serials of Indian television's golden era in the early 2000s. Kawaatra also extended her thanks to writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and costume designers who contributed to the show's enduring appeal. 'Some shows entertain. Some become a part of your life. And a rare few become a part of television history. Here's to Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and everyone who made it our kahaani… and yours too,' she concluded. The anniversary serves as a reminder of how appointment television once shaped cultural life in India at a scale that streaming platforms are still striving to replicate.
Point of View
Contested characters that audiences argued over for years. That complexity is worth revisiting as contemporary platforms debate representation and character depth.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii first air and who produced it?
'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii' was produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms and aired on Star Plus. The show recently marked 26 years since its premiere, making it one of Indian television's longest-remembered family dramas.
Who did Shweta Kawaatra play in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii?
Shweta Kawaatra played Pallavi, a complex antagonist in the show. She has described the character as far more than a conventional villain, noting that Pallavi made audiences watch, react, discuss, and sometimes despise her.
What did Shweta Kawaatra say about the show's impact on viewers?
Kawaatra recalled driving through the city at around 10 pm on nights the show aired and finding the roads almost deserted, as people stayed home to watch. She described it as evidence that 'television really was a different world then.'
Who starred alongside Shweta Kawaatra in the show?
Sakshi Tanwar starred as the lead character Parvati Agarwal, with Shweta Kawaatra playing the antagonist Pallavi. Kawaatra shared throwback photographs featuring scenes with Tanwar to mark the 26th anniversary.
Why is Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii considered significant in Indian television history?
The show is widely regarded as one of the defining serials of Indian television's early 2000s golden era. It ran for several years on Star Plus, shaped primetime viewing habits, and made characters like Parvati and Pallavi part of mainstream cultural conversation.
