While the maximum number of shows on Indian Television revolve around young love stories there are couple of mature love stories on air which are like a breath of fresh air due to their unusual and many a times realistic story line. Most of them keep a reality check on the concept and the way the story moves ahead keeping in mind the mature characters involved.

Earlier we had shows like Astitva Ek Prem Kahani and Sailaab and recently too shows like Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, Punar Vivaah and Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi had a similar mature love story angle and were doing well till they ended abruptly. We take a look at shows currently on air which have a mature and serious take to depict real life characters.

Not only have such shows got appreciation from the audience for their take on the concept, they have also rated good on the TRP ratings making them survive for long. More such shows seem to be welcome since they are worth a watch and different from the saas-bahu sagas dished out extensively.

Bade Acche Lagte Hain on Sony TV- This was a slightly different take on love stories from Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms which normally dealt with the typical saas bahu sagas. Here too there was a mother-in-law but the focus was more on the relationship between Ram (Ram Kapoor) and Priya (Saakshi Tanwar). The initial episodes of the show when it went on air were quite witty and fun to watch as these two senior actors in their characters made fun of each other even as they tried to delve deep into a relationship after marriage. Their consummate scene was much talked about and so was the story which stayed focused for quite some time. Launched almost three years back the show was responsible for more such shows going on air since the audience quite liked the concept of a mature love story. The show has taken three leaps and the characters have separated, and got back together again over the years with now their kids taking over. Currently, however the show seems to drag on a bit.

Ek Nanad Ki Khushiyon Ki Chaabi...Meri Bhabhi on Star Plus - This story is about a young mother Shraddha (Kanchi Kaul) who is a divorcee and seeks refuge in her parent's house. Her entire family is supportive towards her but she still feels a void in her life which is filled by Kunal (Ravish Desai). However, it doesn't help matters that Kunal is younger to her and is also her bhabhi's (Esha Kansara) brother which is not acceptable to his mother. Shraddha who has seen many hardships unintentionally falls in love with Kunal who is a happy go lucky good guy. There are various obstacles to their love and the couple even decide to elope but are caught in the nick of time. They are currently trying to win over the confidence of all concerned and their struggle to come together is interesting viewing.

Tumhari Paakhi on Life OK - Here is a couple who has had a child marriage as kids but then everything was forgotten till the hero Anshuman (Iqbal Khan) decides to take a divorce from his child bride, Paakhi (Shraddha Arya). While she has been waiting for him all these years so that there is a proper closure to their relationship he has gone ahead and gotten married and has a kid too. Now that his wife is dead he intends to settle down again with his girlfriend but with Paakhi's entry into his life again seems to be getting inclined towards her. A good looking pair, this couple sure wins the hearts of the fans hands down and it is just some time that we will see them coming together despite all odds.

Kehta Hai Dil... Jee Le Zara on Sony TV - It started with being the story of a single girl Saanchi who is as yet unmarried at the age of 30, almost same like Priya in Bade Acche Lagte Hai. But unlike Priya who gets a businessman senior to her for a husband, Saanchi is wooed by a guy much younger to her. The couple finally admit to being in love with each other despite opposition. She is shown to be a smart, independent girl who has to handle her family business as well as take care of her family members but she finds a new lease of life in the form of the young and charming DV (Ruslaan Mumtaz). He is the perfect guy - good looking, charming, rich, with a sense of humor but is younger to Saanchi. However that does not deter from the couple to get serious about each other and if circumstances permit they are about to get married soon.

Ye Hai Mohabbatein on Star Plus - Based on the novel Custody by author Manju Kapoor, it deals with adult issues like divorce, infertility, remarriage, etc. Raman (Karan Patel) is a young dad who is divorcee who wants to fight for the custody of his small daughter Ruhi who is currently staying with her mother Shagun (Anita Hassanandani). To make matters simple he is planning to get married to his next door neighbor, Ishita (Divyanka Tripathy) who is a single working lady staying with her parents. While Raman is from North, Ishita is from South and the show has some funny jokes on the North - South divide. Ishita too agrees to the marriage because the young child tells everyone in court that she likes the company of Divyanka as she treats her well. Ishita who cannot conceive bonds well with the child and hopes for her well being.

Seema Khot Mattoo