One of Indian television’s most iconic youth-centric dramas, Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan, has made a grand return! This time on Colors TV, and JioHotstar, reclaiming its original 6:30 PM slot starting June 30.
First aired on MTV India in 2014, the show struck a chord with viewers across the country through its compelling narrative. From its intense music, raw emotions, unfiltered portrayal of youth struggles, to the unforgettable chemistry between Parth Samthaan (Manik Malhotra), and Niti Taylor (Nandini Murthy), the show continues to resonate with the audience even after over a decade.
The show has had five seasons so far, with Seasons 3 to 5 streaming exclusively on JioHotstar, along with a special Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan Movie that condensed the entire storyline into a 2–3 hour format. On Valentine’s Day 2024, fans were also treated to MaNan Hacked, a special segment offering deeper insight into their favorite couple’s lives.
And now, as it gears up to complete 11 years on July 21, fans are reliving their beloved memories, this time with even greater excitement.
The buzz began late May when Colors TV dropped the promo on Instagram, sparking a wave of nostalgia. And the love hasn’t faded. If anything, it has only grown stronger.
As the show marks its return, here are 11 reasons that explain why Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan is still relevant, and resonates so deeply with the viewers:
1. A Bold Portrayal of Modern-Day Youth
KYY stood out for reflecting real, unfiltered youth issues. Unlike typical daily soaps, it portrayed the messiness of young adulthood, dealing with identity, pressure, friendships, and heartbreak, making it instantly relatable. It didn’t glamorize youth, rather showed its truth.
2. Friendships That Felt Real
The show wasn’t just about romantic love. It focused heavily on the bonds within FAB5, and between Nandini, Navya, and others. Conflicts, fallouts, and emotional breakdowns, everything was portrayed, only to show how real friendships survive storms, and come out stronger.
3. Music as a Character
Set in a music college, the show seamlessly used Indian, and Western music as a narrative tool. Each performance, song, and jam session was filled with emotions, conflicts, healings, and love. It elevated the storytelling, and gave characters deeper meaning. Music was the heartbeat of the series, pulling viewers deeper into its world.
4. Equal Focus on All Characters
Unlike many shows that focus solely on the leads, KYY gave depth to every character. Be it Mukti, Alya, Navya, Dhruv, or even side characters like Soha, each had their own arc, growth, and storyline. This inclusivity made the narrative multi-dimensional, and relatable for all kinds of viewers.
5. Empowered Female Voices
KYY gave us women who didn’t depend on anyone to fix their problems. From Nandini taking on FAB5 to the powerful #ItsNotUsItsYou campaign against harassment, the show challenged the typical “damsel in distress” trope, and spotlighted women who took charge of their lives and choices.
6. A Realistic Take on Teenage Pregnancy
In a rare move for Indian TV back in 2014, the show addressed Navya’s teenage pregnancy. It highlighted the emotional trauma, societal judgement, and difficult choices young women face, and later even portrayed her journey into early motherhood in the second season.
7. Highlighting Mental Health Issues in Youth
The show bravely dealt with eating disorders (Alya), psychological breakdowns (Soha), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Manik in Season 2). Rather than glorifying or romanticizing mental health, it showed how these issues impact not just the person, but those around them, emphasizing the need for awareness, and empathy.
8. LGBTQ+ Representation Long Before It Was Mainstream
Way ahead of its time, KYY boldly addressed LGBTQ+ struggles through Cabir, and Raghav’s storyline. The show underlined the fear of coming out, the emotional conflict, and most importantly, the importance of acceptance through the unconditional support from friends like FAB5.
9. Unapologetic Glimpse into Dark Pasts
KYY wasn’t afraid to show the pain behind the smiles. Be it broken families, toxic parenting, or childhood trauma, they were all recurring themes. The series dived into the backstories of its characters — Manik’s toxic relationship with his mother, Mukti’s neglectful parents, Nandini’s early responsibilities after her parents’ death, adding crucial layers that shaped the characters, and made them human, and broken in ways that audiences could deeply relate to.
10. The Power of Healing
After Pandit Trilok Chaurasya’s track, that involved an attempted assault, the show didn’t rush Nandini’s healing. It focused entirely on her trauma, including the nightmares, hesitation, fear of touch, and how love, especially Manik’s, helped her regain her lost spirit. Through her journey, the show conveyed that recovery takes time, patience, and love. It reminded viewers that “it’s okay to not be okay.”
11. A Love Story That Was Both Real and Magical
From fireflies to starry skies, MaNan (Manik & Nandini) created moments that were nothing short of fairytales. Yet, their journey was anything, but smooth. They faced misunderstandings, trauma, heartbreak, but at last grew together. It wasn’t a picture-perfect love, but the one that endured and evolved. A truly “Humesha” kind of love.
Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan has long transcended the label of just a youth show. The show became a voice for a generation that was yearning for representation. It addressed the realities of being young in a world that often doesn’t listen. It didn’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations, and it made space for both pain, and joy.
Now, with the re-telecast, Colors TV and JioHotstar have struck gold — giving fans a chance to relive the magic, and introducing a new audience to a show that was far ahead of its time. So whether you’re watching it for the first time, or simply taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, there’s no better time to fall in love with Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan all over again.
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The cult show for a reason!
THE NUMBER ONE YOUTH SHOW 😭🤌🏻