But now the gods are back in the 21st century to break the stranglehold of soaps on Indian TV. Tele-serials based on Hindu mythology with their many gods have stormed television gaining a loyal audience.
For proof, look no further than Mahabharat, the grand epic where women, wars and villains are in plenty, and life’s lessons are uttered through the mouths of the gods themselves.
Mahabharat, the Hindi language serial airing on Star Plus since mid-September at prime time - 8:30pm - five days a week, is having a successful run with new age techniques and fresh acting giving new blood to an ancient epic. In 1988, at 10am every Sunday, is one of the funny thing which I feel when I think of that time.
Non-believers, who felt the Indian youth of the 21st century would not relish these Hindu epics on TV, have been proven wrong.
The new Mahabharat has made a conscious effort to grab the eyeballs of a younger generation growing up with the technological gizmos of the 21st century. Special effects make the war scenes truly epic.
Mahabharat is the grand old epic story of warring cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, who fought a deadly war.
"That is the challenge. As a 21st century person, it took me almost a month to get into the role," he added.
Mohit Raina, who plays the god Shiva in Mahadev, sheepishly admitted that young women "do not flirt" with him. Instead he has been accosted by women fans in malls falling at his feet "seeking divine blessings as I play Shiva on TV".
The curtains will ring down on Mahabharat in June this year, but going by how Indians love their mythologies, the gods it seems are here to stay on telly.
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