Father’s Day is the perfect time to say it out loud. Indian television has introduced viewers to many memorable dads. Some made us laugh with their punches and zany dialogues. Some raised a voice of reason. And there were others who showed us the challenges of parenting in changing times. Their stories connected with audiences because they reflected family life in one way or another.
If you are planning a Father’s Day binge-watch session, these small-screen dads deserve a place on your list. It is also a good excuse to revisit some of the father characters who entertained us for years on television.
If you are planning a Father’s Day binge-watch session, these small-screen dads deserve a place on your list. It is also a good excuse to revisit some of the father characters who entertained us for years on television.
1. Indravadan from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai
No one can ever match the charm of Indravadan from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. His playful and teasing dad personality made him one of the most loved characters on Indian television. His interaction with Rosesh and Maya had been the backbone of many memorable episodes. He never took life too seriously and brought humour into almost every situation. This easy-going nature made him stand out from the conventional father figures.
Father’s Day is a good time to revisit this classic sitcom and enjoy Indravadan’s unforgettable one-liners.
Father’s Day is a good time to revisit this classic sitcom and enjoy Indravadan’s unforgettable one-liners.
2. Champaklal Gada from TMKOC
Champaklal Gada from Tarak Mehta ka Oolta Chashma is the foil to Indravadan’s character. Champaklal represents the traditional father figure many viewers recognise. As Jethalal’s father, he acts as the family’s moral compass. He does not hesitate to correct mistakes and guide family members when needed. Watching him with his son is pure comedy. You would see him scolding his son most of the time, but being playful with his grandson most of the time.
His character reminds viewers that fathers continue to guide their children, no matter how old those children become.
His character reminds viewers that fathers continue to guide their children, no matter how old those children become.
3. Bapuji from Khichdi
The Parekh family would never have been the same without Bapuji in Khichdi. Who else would cry out ‘Hansa’ in that helpless, irritated voice every now and then? His shell-shocked and powerless expressions alone were a major source of comedy. Living among one of television’s most eccentric families is no easy task. He spends much of his time reacting to the chaos around him. It can sometimes be Praful, Hansa, Himanshu, or Jayshree. Despite the madness that surrounds him, he remains an important family figure.
The character of Bapuji is unforgettable. His presence gives structure to the family and contributes to the unique humour. This made Khichdi a huge success.
The character of Bapuji is unforgettable. His presence gives structure to the family and contributes to the unique humour. This made Khichdi a huge success.
4. Murari Lal Bansal from Jijaji Chhat Par Hain
After Bapuji, Murari Lal Bansal is my favourite dad character. He brought a different flavour to the father role in Jijaji Chhat Par Hain. He was protective, very pragmatic, and deeply invested in his daughter’s future. But that’s not it. He blended wit and humour into his dialogues. He played this character very realistically. He delivered belly-laugh-inducing comedy. Much of it emerged through his interactions with the young characters.
His parenting style reflects the concerns many fathers have when it comes to their children. Yet his character never loses its comic touch.
His parenting style reflects the concerns many fathers have when it comes to their children. Yet his character never loses its comic touch.
5. Avatar Ji from Best of Luck Nikki
If you grew up watching Disney Channel, you probably remember Avatar Singh from Best of Luck Nikki. The series revolved around everyday family situations. It’s a cute nuclear family, and has six of the cutest family members. And Avatar Singh is a modern-day, fun-loving, quirky dad. He was only strict when necessary. Otherwise, he was fun all the time, doing all the weird stuff he could. His conversations with his children felt relatable and entertaining.
There were so many small, fun moments with his family. Avatar stood by his wife and his children in even the smallest of situations. For millennials and Gen Z viewers, Best of Luck Nikki remains a nostalgic watch.
There were so many small, fun moments with his family. Avatar stood by his wife and his children in even the smallest of situations. For millennials and Gen Z viewers, Best of Luck Nikki remains a nostalgic watch.
6. Suraj from Shararat
Shararat was a magical sitcom with a contemporary touch. It followed three generations of women on the maternal side who possessed magical powers. The concept was very interesting because magic was only gifted to women in their world. Magic made Suraj frustrated and intolerant. Suraj and his son were the only non-magical (normal) family members. But as a father, he used to love his daughter, Jiya, greatly. And even Jiya would respect his aversion to magic as much as possible.
Suraj constantly found himself caught between normal life and the magical adventures unfolding around him. But he loved his family like any other normal father. His patience and understanding made him an important part of the family dynamic.
Suraj constantly found himself caught between normal life and the magical adventures unfolding around him. But he loved his family like any other normal father. His patience and understanding made him an important part of the family dynamic.
7. Santosh Mishra from Gullak
Santosh Mishra from Gullak comes from a modern, realistic, middle-class world. He stands among the most realistic father characters on Indian television and streaming platforms. As the father in the Mishra household, he navigates financial responsibilities, family expectations, and everyday challenges, the same as those of any middle-class household. His character is not about dramatic speeches or grand gestures. He encourages his sons, celebrates their wins, and doesn’t shy away from discussing things as a family when needed, unlike a conventional patriarchal setup.
Viewers love him because they connect with him through simple, real-life moments. His conversations, concerns, and reactions mirror the experiences of many middle-class families. The authenticity has played a major role in Gullak’s popularity.
Viewers love him because they connect with him through simple, real-life moments. His conversations, concerns, and reactions mirror the experiences of many middle-class families. The authenticity has played a major role in Gullak’s popularity.
8. Aditya from Aapki Antara
Aditya’s journey in Aapki Antara presented a different side of fatherhood. He is a completely different character. In fact, the concept of this TV show was altogether one of a kind. The show explored the life of a child with autism and the challenges faced by her family. Aditya’s character reflected the emotional struggles, responsibilities, and learning experiences that came with raising Antara.
His story brought attention to parenting situations that television did not frequently discuss at the time. Many viewers appreciated the sincerity and sensitivity with which the character approached fatherhood.
His story brought attention to parenting situations that television did not frequently discuss at the time. Many viewers appreciated the sincerity and sensitivity with which the character approached fatherhood.
9. Raman Bhalla from Mohabbatein
Raman Bhalla became one of the most recognised television fathers of the last decade. His bond with Ruhi, his daughter, formed one of the central emotional threads of the show. Although Raman had flaws and faced numerous personal challenges, his affection for his daughter was an important part of his character arc. He had anger issues stemming from his difficult past, but he was soft-hearted as a father and only wished well for her.
You would see him growing as a father over the years. That evolution helped audiences connect with him and contributed to the show’s long-running popularity.
You would see him growing as a father over the years. That evolution helped audiences connect with him and contributed to the show’s long-running popularity.
Bonus: Father Character, Gaurav from Single Papa
Now this is a very new, and different, but not-so-different genre. Gaurav from Single Papa deserves a special mention this Father’s Day, and that’s why he’s my bonus entry. Fatherhood is the central theme of this series. Gaurav has an urge to be a father, which leads him to make a very big decision. But it only works out when faced with responsibilities that demand patience, commitment, and resilience.
It’s a fresh perspective on the realities of parenting, and especially fatherhood. For viewers searching for a Father’s Day watch that focuses directly on a dad’s experiences, Single Papa offers something worth exploring.
It’s a fresh perspective on the realities of parenting, and especially fatherhood. For viewers searching for a Father’s Day watch that focuses directly on a dad’s experiences, Single Papa offers something worth exploring.
It’s a Father’s Day Call for a Nostalgic Rewatch
Television fathers can have many archetypes. These characters became memorable because they brought relatable family moments to the screen. This Father’s Day, you should consider revisiting a few of these shows with your father. Along with the entertainment, you may discover how your dad relates to any of these dad characters.
