Before OTT came on board with the compelling change in on-screen stories, the television screen offered little refreshing tales of women protagonists who were not trapped in domestic duties, kitchen politics, and regressive roles. On International Women's Day,  we take a look at pathbreaking characters from television who stood apart and went on to demonstrate power, courage, and the intentionality to bring about social change.

Rajani-Rajani Rajani (1993-1994)


Directed by Basu Chatterjee this classic TV show gave audiences a feisty homemaker who took on corruption, red tape, government laxities, price rises, inept policing, and much more. Starring the late Priya Tendulkar in the lead role, this 1985 classic is still remembered for giving us Indian television's first woman character whose passion for social justice sparked conversations in living rooms and inspired people to raise their voices.

Dr. Sneha- Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon (2019)


'Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon' (MKBKSH) or 'I (A Woman) Can Achieve Anything' has raised the bar for edutainment as a transmedia (TV, radio, internet, and mobile phone) show. The initiative towards this show was created by the 'Population Foundation of India' with the 'National Adolescent Health Program', and the 'Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.' The story revolves around passionately committed Doctor Sneha Mathur (Meinal Vaishnav) who fearlessly conveys information about taboo subjects like family planning, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) and takes on social ills like domestic violence, child marriage, sanitation, and more. It is now available on YouTube.

Kalyani Singh- Udaan (1989)


The recent demise of the multi-talented writer, director, and actor Kavita Chaudhary brought back into focus the first-ever television show that introduced a woman in uniform to the audiences. In the year was 1989, the show  'Udaan' was telecasted on television. Kavita Chaudhary played Kalyani Singh, an inspirational female character based on her sister 'IPS Kanchan Choudhary Bhattacharya' who was the first woman to become the Director General of Police in a state.