Mumbai: Before Black Mirror or Dark, there was Indradhanush—a groundbreaking Indian sci-fi television series from the 1980s that stunned viewers with its ahead-of-its-time storytelling, imaginative technology, and themes like time travel, alien contact, and human cloning. At a time when mythological epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat dominated Indian TV, Indradhanush boldly ventured into uncharted territory and became a cult classic.
India’s First Sci-Fi TV Show
Aired on Doordarshan, Indradhanush was India’s first science-fiction TV series, directed by Anand Mahendroo. The show stood out for its unique concept involving teenagers who accidentally build a time machine from scrap parts—including a bicycle—and make contact with an alien prince from the Andromeda Galaxy.
The series featured a stellar cast that included Akshay Anand in the lead role, and marked the acting debut of filmmaker Karan Johar, who played the role of Shrikant at the age of 15. The ensemble also included Urmila Matondkar, Girish Karnad, Ashutosh Gowariker, Vikram Gokhale, and Vishal Singh—most of whom went on to become big names in Bollywood.
A 13-Episode Cult Classic
Despite being only 13 episodes long, Indradhanush made a huge impact. Though its cast wasn’t famous at the time, the show resonated with audiences for its creativity, ingenuity, and daring subject matter. The storyline follows four school friends—played by Karan Johar, Sagar Arya, Jeetendra Rajpal, and Vishal Singh—who build a rudimentary computer that surprisingly turns out to be a time machine.
They soon discover the device can communicate with an alien prince named Appu from the Andromeda Galaxy, who enables them to travel through time. When Appu mysteriously disappears, his elder brother Bala embarks on a time-traveling mission to find him, journeying to the year 1942 and then 2013, where he encounters a clone of himself—an idea that left 1980s audiences absolutely astounded.
Inventiveness at Its Core
What made Indradhanush especially memorable was its innovative use of props and low-budget creativity. The fictional computer—central to the story—was built using a bicycle, connected to various jars, wires, and scientific-looking devices, symbolizing Indian ingenuity or jugaad at its finest.
The series also introduced viewers to the concept of human cloning, a subject barely discussed in India during that time. The first two episodes focused solely on cloning, creating shock and awe among viewers unfamiliar with the idea.
Shot at RK Studios, Resurrected on YouTube
Indradhanush was shot at RK Studios in Mumbai on a modest budget, but the result was anything but small. When the show’s episodes were uploaded to YouTube in 2016, it saw a surge in popularity, with old fans rediscovering it and new viewers discovering a hidden gem in Indian television history.
Even decades later, Indradhanush is remembered as a trailblazing series that introduced Indian audiences to speculative fiction with imagination, intelligence, and emotional depth. It proved that good storytelling needs neither high-end VFX nor mega budgets—just vision, heart, and a touch of futuristic magic.
“It was a show far ahead of its time,” recalls a fan. “We had never seen anything like it on Indian TV.”
As India continues to experiment with science-fiction on OTT platforms today, Indradhanush remains a nostalgic reminder of a show that dared to dream big in the pre-digital age—and succeeded.
