There was a time on Indian television when 'saas' meant a woman who always had a glass of milk in her hand — with something mixed into it. Burning the bahu, tormenting her, throwing her out of the house — that was the job of the TV saas. And the bahu? She kept weeping, kept her sindoor in her maang, and accepted every atrocity as 'her fate'. But over the past 20 years, this portrait has changed dramatically. Let us understand this transformation.
2000–2005: The Era of the Saas as Pure Villain
In the early 2000s, Ekta Kapoor and her contemporaries discovered a formula — the more villainous you make the saas, the higher the ratings. 'Kahaan Ho Tum', 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi', 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' — these serials established a stereotype. The saas was sophisticated, wore fine saris, visited parlours — and in every episode hatched a new scheme against the bahu.
The success of this formula was so overwhelming that all of Indian television fell into this pattern. Every serial had a vamp saas. Every serial had a suffering bahu. It was a bipolar world with no room for nuance. Viewers watched because it was relatable — in many homes this was reality — but simultaneously it also glorified toxic patterns.
2006–2012: The Bahu Raises Her Voice for the First Time
Gradually some writers realised that audiences wanted something new. Between 2006 and 2012, some serials appeared where the bahu's character became a little stronger. She still suffered, but sometimes she also fought back. This shift was subtle but significant. Audiences liked it.
'Balika Vadhu' was a landmark serial of this period. Here the bahu — child bride Anandi — was a victim, but not passive. She fought for her education, stood up for her identity. This portrayal was groundbreaking. Viewers saw that a young, married woman could also have aspirations — and this message was powerful.
Mamta Shukla, 55, Varanasi"When Anandi in Balika Vadhu said 'I want to study' — my daughter sat in front of the TV crying. She wanted the same thing and nobody had listened. That serial gave her the validation that we as parents had not been able to give."
2013–2018: The Rise of the Complex Saas
This period brought real revolution. Gradually, the saas's character in serials began to be multidimensional. She was no longer just a machine for torturing the bahu — she had her own backstory, her own insecurities, her own fears. Arnav's chachi in 'Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon' was a complex character who genuinely believed she was protecting her family.
Viewers began to appreciate this complexity. Now conversations happened — 'The saas is bad but her problem makes sense.' This shift was important because it humanised female characters. Recognising human emotions behind bad actions — this is mature storytelling.
2019–2023: When Saas and Bahu Stood Together
In recent years a new trend has emerged that is genuinely refreshing. Now in some serials the saas and bahu are each other's allies. 'Anupama' is the finest example. Here Leela Shah (saas) and Anupama (bahu) have a complicated relationship — they often disagree — but when needed they also stand by each other.
This portrayal is more realistic. In real life, saas-bahu relationships are rarely pure villain-victim. Most relationships are nuanced — both affection and friction coexist. Television finally acknowledging this reality is a big step forward.
The Evolution of the Bahu: From Weeping to Winning
The bahu's character has also changed dramatically. The bahu of the 2000s who wept every episode, today's bahu in 2026 is career-oriented, financially independent, and voices her opinions. 'Anupama's Kinjal, the current lead of 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' — these women are assertive, vocal, and juggle their dreams alongside family.
This shift is not just entertainment — it is a reflection of social change. As Indian women have entered the workforce, advanced in education, become aware of their rights — television has mirrored that change. And by mirroring it, has further accelerated it.
Is There Still Work to Be Done?
Progress has been made — that is undeniable. But some serials are still stuck in old patterns. Some shows still decide a character's morality by the colour of their sari — dark sari means evil, light sari means innocent. Some bahus are still completely saintly and make no mistakes.
Real progress will come when both the saas and bahu are equally flawed and equally sympathetic. When neither's character is defined solely by their relationship. When both have individual dreams, failures, and triumphs that form their own identities. On that day Indian television will be truly evolved.
Professor Sheela Verma, Women's Studies, Jaipur"Television is a lagging indicator — it does not lead change, it follows it. What we see on TV reflects how much Indian society has changed over the past 20 years. And that change is encouraging."
