Overview
Naagin is an Indian Hindi-language supernatural fantasy television series created and produced by Ekta Kapoor under the Balaji Telefilms banner. The show, which premiered on Colors TV in November 2015, centres on the shape-shifting serpent (icchadhari naagin) of Indian folklore, who takes human form to avenge wrongs done to her clan or her loved ones. The franchise has become one of the most successful supernatural drama properties on Indian television, spawning multiple seasons and consistently topping weekend prime-time ratings on Colors TV.
Key facts
| Title | Naagin |
|---|---|
| Genre | Supernatural, fantasy, drama |
| Original language | Hindi |
| Created by | Ekta Kapoor |
| Producer | Balaji Telefilms (Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor) |
| Original network | Colors TV |
| First aired | 1 November 2015 |
| Time slot | Weekend prime time (Saturday–Sunday) |
| Streaming | JioCinema (formerly Voot) |
| Country | India |
Background
The figure of the icchadhari naagin—a serpent capable of taking on human, usually female, form—has long been a staple of Hindi cinema, with films such as Nagin (1954), Nagin (1976) and Nagina (1986) shaping its popular template. Naagin adapted this cinematic tradition for the small screen, combining mythological motifs with a saas-bahu style melodramatic structure for which Balaji Telefilms is known. Ekta Kapoor, who had earlier reshaped Indian television with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, conceived Naagin as a weekend "finite" series, though strong viewership led to its continuation as a long-running franchise.
Premise
Each season follows a self-contained storyline featuring a shape-shifting female serpent who assumes human form, typically to avenge the death of a loved one or to protect a sacred object such as the Naagmani. Recurring elements include a romantic arc with a human lover, conflicts with antagonist serpents or humans seeking the Naagmani, and the use of visual effects to depict transformations.
Seasons
| Season | Period | Lead cast |
|---|---|---|
| Naagin (Season 1) | 2015–2016 | Mouni Roy, Arjun Bijlani, Adaa Khan |
| Naagin 2 | 2016–2017 | Mouni Roy, Karanvir Bohra, Adaa Khan |
| Naagin 3 | 2018 | Surbhi Jyoti, Pearl V Puri, Anita Hassanandani, Rajat Tokas |
| Naagin 4 | 2019–2020 | Nia Sharma, Vijayendra Kumeria, Jasmin Bhasin, Anita Hassanandani |
| Naagin 5 | 2020–2021 | Surbhi Chandna, Sharad Malhotra, Mohit Sehgal |
| Naagin 6 | 2022–2023 | Tejasswi Prakash, Simba Nagpal, Mahekk Chahal |
Season 1 (2015–2016)
The inaugural season starred Mouni Roy as Shivanya, an icchadhari naagin who marries Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) to avenge her parents' killing. Adaa Khan featured as the antagonist Shesha. The season debuted on 1 November 2015 and emerged as the highest-rated weekend programme on Indian television during its run, putting Colors TV ahead of competing weekend slots.
Season 2 (2016–2017)
The second instalment continued the storyline with Mouni Roy reprising the lead, opposite Karanvir Bohra. It maintained the franchise's strong ratings.
Season 3 (2018)
The series was rebooted with a new cast led by Surbhi Jyoti as Bela and Pearl V Puri as Mahir. Anita Hassanandani played a parallel naagin, Vishakha. The season is widely regarded as one of the most popular in the franchise.
Season 4 (2019–2020)
Nia Sharma headlined the fourth season alongside Vijayendra Kumeria and Jasmin Bhasin. Production was disrupted by the COVID-19 lockdown in India, and the season was wrapped up earlier than initially planned.
Season 5 (2020–2021)
Marketed as the Aadi Naagin chapter, the season featured Surbhi Chandna, Sharad Malhotra and Mohit Sehgal in the lead roles, and aired during the gradual resumption of television production after the pandemic.
Season 6 (2022–2023)
The sixth season starred Tejasswi Prakash, fresh from her win on Bigg Boss 15, as Pratha. The storyline incorporated contemporary themes such as bioterrorism alongside the franchise's signature supernatural elements. Mahekk Chahal joined later as a parallel lead.
Production
The series is shot primarily in and around Mumbai, with Balaji Telefilms handling production. The franchise is known for its extensive use of computer-generated imagery for the serpent transformations, lavish costuming, and a recurring musical motif derived from the title track. The signature theme has become culturally identifiable with the show.
Reception and significance
Since its debut, Naagin has been a ratings leader in the weekend non-fiction-equivalent slot on Hindi general entertainment television, frequently topping the BARC India weekly charts during its initial seasons. The show is credited with reviving the supernatural drama genre on Indian television and inspired several similar productions on competing networks. It also brought renewed mainstream attention to the careers of its lead actors, with Mouni Roy in particular transitioning to Hindi cinema after the first two seasons.
Critically, the series has drawn mixed responses—praised for its commercial success, scale and visual ambition, but also criticised for melodramatic storytelling and reliance on tropes. Despite this, it remains a flagship property for both Colors TV and Balaji Telefilms.
Spin-offs and related media
The popularity of Naagin led to the production of allied shows in the supernatural space on Colors TV and other channels. Episodes are streamed digitally on JioCinema (earlier on Voot), where past seasons remain available for on-demand viewing.
Related topics
- Ekta Kapoor
- Balaji Telefilms
- Colors TV
- Mouni Roy
- Surbhi Jyoti
- Tejasswi Prakash
- Indian television
- Nagin (1976 film)
- Nagina (1986 film)
References
- Colors TV official programme listings.
- Balaji Telefilms corporate disclosures and production credits.
- BARC India weekly television rating reports (2015–2023).
- Archived coverage of the series in The Times of India, The Indian Express, and Hindustan Times entertainment sections.