Vishal Malhotra on Hip Hip Hurray: 'John stays with me forever'
Synopsis
Vishal Malhotra's Instagram post about Hip Hip Hurray is more than a nostalgia trip — it's a reminder of what Indian teen television got right before the streaming era. His character John, from a show that ran on Zee TV from 1998 to 2001, still answers to his name decades later. That kind of cultural stickiness is rare, and Malhotra knows it.
Key Takeaways
Vishal Malhotra shared a nostalgic Instagram post revisiting his role as John in Hip Hip Hurray .
Hip Hip Hurray aired on Zee TV from October 1998 to May 2001 , created and directed by Nupur Asthana .
The show was set in DeNobili High School and followed Class 12 students through friendships, rivalries, and adolescent milestones.
The ensemble cast included Rushad Rana , Bhumika Chawla , Nauheed Cyrusi , Purab Kohli , and Nilanjana Sharma .
Malhotra said being called 'John' still instantly transports him back to the show's corridors, calling it a character that 'stays with you forever.'
Actor Vishal Malhotra has revisited his memories of the beloved Indian teen drama Hip Hip Hurray, reflecting on how his character John continues to define a significant chapter of his life. In a nostalgic Instagram post shared recently, Malhotra looked back at the show that aired on Zee TV from October 1998 to May 2001 — a time, he noted, before reels, streaming platforms, and algorithms reshaped how an entire generation consumed television.
A Character That Never Left
Malhotra described the emotional pull of the role in candid terms. He revealed that even now, being addressed as 'John' instantly transports him back to the corridors of the fictional DeNobili High School and the memories that came with it. For the actor, some characters outlive the cameras — and John is one of them.
In his post, he wrote: 'Hip Hip Hurray wasn't just a television show — it felt like real school life unfolding on screen. Friendships, first crushes, rivalries, heartbreaks, laughter, and all the confusion of growing up.' He also asked followers: 'Were you part of the Hip Hip Hurray generation? What is your strongest memory of the show?'
What Made the Show Different
Created and directed by Nupur Asthana, Hip Hip Hurray was among the earliest Indian television productions to centre entirely on adolescent experiences — a format that was relatively rare on Indian TV at the time. The series followed Class 12 students navigating friendships, aspirations, fears, and the emotional turbulence of growing up, without the melodrama that dominated prime-time television.
The ensemble cast included Rushad Rana, Bhumika Chawla, Nauheed Cyrusi, Purab Kohli, and Nilanjana Sharma, among others. Malhotra also shared clips from the show alongside his post, offering viewers a glimpse of scenes that defined an era of Indian teen television.
The 90s Nostalgia Wave
Malhotra's post — tagged with hashtags including #HipHipHurray, #90sNostalgia, and #SchoolDays — arrives amid a broader cultural moment in which Indian audiences are revisiting the entertainment of their childhood. The actor, also known for the film Ishq Vishk, framed his reflection as part of a personal series he called 'Chapter 4', suggesting a deliberate, ongoing documentation of his journey in the industry.
The show's ability to resonate decades after its final episode speaks to a generation that grew up without on-demand content — where a fixed broadcast time was itself a ritual. Malhotra's post has reignited conversations online about the show's cultural legacy and the actors who brought it to life.
Point of View
Not a backdrop for family drama. Twenty-five years on, genuinely youth-centred Indian TV remains rare. The nostalgia wave around 90s and early-2000s shows is partly affection, and partly a quiet critique of what replaced them. That Malhotra's character still gets recognised by name on the street is a data point the industry should sit with.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hip Hip Hurray and when did it air?
Hip Hip Hurray was an Indian teen drama that aired on Zee TV from October 1998 to May 2001. Created and directed by Nupur Asthana, it followed Class 12 students at DeNobili High School through friendships, relationships, and the experiences of growing up.
Who did Vishal Malhotra play in Hip Hip Hurray?
Vishal Malhotra played the character John in Hip Hip Hurray. He has said the role remains deeply personal, and that being called 'John' still transports him back to the show's memories even today.
Who else was in the cast of Hip Hip Hurray?
The show featured an ensemble cast including Rushad Rana, Bhumika Chawla, Nauheed Cyrusi, Purab Kohli, and Nilanjana Sharma, among others, alongside Vishal Malhotra.
Why is Vishal Malhotra talking about Hip Hip Hurray now?
Malhotra shared a nostalgic Instagram post as part of a personal series he called 'Chapter 4,' reflecting on key chapters of his career. The post included photos, videos, and a message to fans who grew up watching the show.
What other work is Vishal Malhotra known for?
Beyond Hip Hip Hurray, Vishal Malhotra is also known for the Bollywood film Ishq Vishk, among other television and film appearances.
