No more bragging, 90s kids! DD brings back 80s classics amid lockdown

It’s usually the 90s kids who boast on social media of their childhood. Be it imitating Shaktimaan and becoming school-level superheroes (breaking bones behind the scenes) or the hypothetical spring inside the bat that Ricky Ponting used to hit 140, crushing the Indian bowlers in the final of 2003 cricket World Cup, they never miss a chance to go gaga about a memorable moment.

But now it’s the turn of the 80s kids — and 70s too — to brag to their children about their pre-teens and teenage years. As the country is under a 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, those in their 40s and 50s are all set to relive their memories with Doordarshan airing its three-decade-old TV shows.

Circus starring a young Shah Rukh Khan will be aired on DD National at 8 pm from tonight (March 28) and will leave many middle-aged men cherishing memories of having a mullet haircut, duplicating the evergreen look of Shah Rukh. It’s doubtful if present-day kids sporting faux-hawk would admire that hairstyle, but it’s time for uncles to bring back their younger selves.

Related News: The all-pervasive Ramayan constant: From (Ram) Janmabhoomi to Mandir

The series had 19 episodes and was aired between 1989 and 1990. It was directed by Aziz Mirza, who later joined hands with Khan in several films, including Chalte Chalte.

Another series that will be aired on the channel is the detective series Byomkesh Bakshi, which gave a visual depiction to the six-decade-old character of the same name, created by Bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. It was directed by Basu Chatterjee and Rajit Kapur played the lead role. The detective series was produced in two seasons, with the first one in 1993 having 14 episodes and the second in 1997 with 20 episodes. It will be aired at 11 am.

The state-run broadcaster is also airing two mythological series — Ramayan and Mahabharat. In the late 80s, these were the spiritual stress-busters for thousands of Indian families. Those who had no television sets in their homes used to assemble in their neighbours’, minutes before the episode began, not to miss even a shot.

Related News: After COVID lockdown, rare civet, other animals explore deserted streets

Another reason was to enjoy the title songs of both. While Ramayan had a melodious track, Mahabharat‘s was energetic. The former was aired in 78 episodes from 1987 to 1988 and the latter in 94 episodes between 1988 and 1990. To lock in Indians indoors, Ramayan will be broadcast at 9 am and 9 pm daily on DD National and Mahabharat at 12 pm and 7 pm on DD Bharati.