u/Aggravating-Date7493

I recently started rewatching Jodha Akbar after more than 10 years, and I honestly didn't expect it to hit me this hard.

I first watched it when I was around 15. I was OBSESSED. 😂 I used to literally grab the remote from my grandfather because I refused to miss the 8 PM episode. Eventually, even my grandfather got hooked and watched the show all the way to the end.

I was so invested that I would watch Saas Bahu Aur Saazish and other TV entertainment/news shows just to get behind-the-scenes clips, interviews and updates about Jodha Akbar. I wanted anything related to the show. I don't think I've ever been that obsessed with another movie or series.

I stopped watching after the leap back then, but I've started again now and I'm around episode 235. And somehow I'm enjoying it even more as an adult.

At 15, I was mainly obsessed with the romance. Now I'm noticing the little things—the gradual development of Jalal and Jodha's relationship, their expressions, the tiny interactions, the character development and the way the show lets relationships develop over hundreds of episodes.

Obviously, it's not perfect. 😂 Some tracks are ridiculously stretched, melodramatic and objectively cringe. The Benazir track taking weeks when it could probably be resolved in a couple of OTT episodes is a perfect example. But that's also part of the charm. You actually live with the characters.

And it made me realize how different television used to be.

Shows like Jodha Akbar, Mahabharat, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, Qubool Hai, Madhubala, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, etc. had huge fandoms among young people. We discussed them at school, had crushes on the male leads, watched edits, waited for the next episode and became genuinely attached to the characters.

Now we have far more choice - OTT, YouTube, Korean dramas, American shows, etc. but I rarely feel that kind of attachment to a new TV serial.

I actually think that's the biggest thing we've lost: the slow journey.

With OTT, you can finish a beautiful 8–10 episode show in two days. It's convenient and often better produced, but you don't necessarily get months of “What is going to happen tomorrow?” or hundreds of tiny moments that gradually make you feel like you know the characters.

I feel lucky that I got to experience **both eras ,**the old shared TV culture and then the internet/OTT explosion. And I'm even luckier that the old shows are still available, so I can go back and relive them.

For me, Jodha Akbar has become almost like an old nostalgic song that I can put on repeat. I already know the destination. It's the journey that I want to experience again.

Do you feel the same about the old Indian TV era?

https://reddit.com/link/1wudadj/video/0mzdcom8ipsh1/player

I just loved how Jalal was being jealous and grabbed Jodha’s hands… so, so hawwttt 😭🔥