BEST OF 2017 - TOP 10 Surprise HITS (Underdogs) of the Year

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#BestOf2017: 5 shows that became SURPRISE HITS over the year!

Not many would have placed their bets on these shows..


Another day of December has gone by and we are getting closer to the year-end, where we analyse and think back upon the several happenings of the telly world. Yesterday, you witnessed the cunning and ruthless male villains from various TV shows, so today, we decided to tone it down a bit and present some of the surprise hits of this year.


Mega shows were launched this year but unfortunately they bombed miserably. Shows like Aarambh and Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? had a lot riding on them and the launch of the same was gung-ho. However, that did not transpire into numbers and the shows had to be pulled off the plug sooner than anticipated.


However, while these shows were a big flop and failed to make an impact, there were some underdogs that managed to excel and turned out to become success stories we will be talking about in the years to come-

Kya Haal Mr. Panchaal




Probably the biggest underdog of this list, Kya Haal Mr. Panchaal had none of the 'sureshot' formulas going for itself. With a relatively new cast and a revamping channel who did not have too good of GRPs, ..Panchaal was a major risk considering the backlash it would have faced for adapting one-man-having-five-wives concept. However, all that can now be put aside, as the genuinely funny content of the show coupled with some amazing performances has led it to become one of the biggest sleeper hits of the year. Also, the show has led Star Bharat to mark its place in the Top 4 channels every week.


Ye Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai




Another fresh show with a fresh cast, Ye Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai was the replacement of the controversial show, Pehredaar Piya Ki. But had nothing of that nature that would give it a must-watch push initially. However, since day one of the show, the 90s kids were in for a treat as they got a chance to witness a sweet and innocent love story of Sameer (Randeep Rai) and Naina (Ashi Singh) which brought back nostalgia owing to its visuals and the treatment of the show. After almost three months, the show continues to make a mark whereas Sony is still struggling to have good GRPs on the whole.

Meri Durga

The year began with mega shows like Woh Apna Sa and Dil Se DIl Tak that sported a starry cast thus making it the most obvious options to watch. However, amidst these juggernauts, a little yet endearing show in the form of Meri Durga went on-air on Star Plus in the unconventional evening time slot. With no starry names in the cast, whatsoever, the show continued to gradually make its mark and even though it did not fetch breathtaking numbers, it faired decently on the whole. The recently introduced generation leap may have introduced some commercial changes, but it continues to have its loyal viewers glued to the screens as the adorable father-daughter relationship is what makes the show amazing.

Piyaa Albela




The biggest success story in this list, Piyaa Albela's rise is the quintessentially inspirational one. The doubting factors are similar to those of ..Paanchaal and Yeh Un Dinon.., but the margin of success is the highest here. Even though, it was a Rajshri show, Piyaa Albela literally was a question mark as to who would adapt the concept of Vishvamitra and Menaka in a mordernised manner into a TV show and rope in a debutant male lead and a lesser known female lead. But, continuing to prove everyone wrong consistently, Piyaa Albela has witnessed a staggering climb up on the rating charts and has now become a recurring member of the Top 10 every week too. With Akshay Mhatre and Sheen Das' amazing on-screen chemistry and a content driven screenplay, the show may continue to only rise higher and higher.

Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji




Of course, there can be a debate as to how this show is a surprise' hit where it has all the alluring factors already - a sequel to a super successful show (Diya Aur Baati Hum), a returning starry supporting cast (Neelu Vaghela as Bhabho and Kanica Maheshwari as Meenaksh among others) and the same of production house. However, what it did not have was the primetime slot like its predecessor and starry leading cast. Though, the biggest challenge was it being aired in an afternoon slot and for a couple of months that certainly was a huge concern for the show, where it did struggle with ratings. But, this skeptical show became a success story after being shifted to the evening slot and has only rose ever since.

Special Mentions - Tenali Rama and Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo




Sab TV channel has always been in the race ONLY because of the unprecedented success of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The rating for that one show is at times equal and even more to that of the smaller channels on the whole. However, the recent revamp that the channel underwent introduced a flock of new shows and while some were complete misses, two shows stood out from the lot.

Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo had the factor of being a double-edged sword, where it had the obvious legacy and loyal viewer of its predecessor waiting to watch it, but also had the burden of expectations to fulfil. On the other hand, Tenali Rama was a total underdog and the only thing it had going for itself is that the 90s kids, who have grown up listening to stories about Tenali Rama will be interested to watch it.

For a channel which doesn't have more than point three or point four ratings for shows apart from Taarak Mehta.., Sajan Re Phit Jhooth Mat Bolo and Tenali Rama have managed to be fairly successful grabbing 1 point rating which is decent for the channel.


These were some of the sleeper hits of this year amidst a lot of shows that went on-air. Did we miss out on any? Which one is your favourite? Leave in your comments below..

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