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The Indian diaspora is widespread globally in vast numbers, thanks to work opportunities and academic programs. Did you know that almost five lakh Indians live in the US? As incredible as the number is, living overseas and adapting to new cultures can make one homesick. For those who love all things desi, this can mean missing the drama that comes with the culture. One of the best places where one can get a splash of the Indian tadka and color is by watching your favorite Bollywood movies and Hindi TV shows.

Some of us are fond of rewatching old shows that bring us comfort and familiarity in a new and foreign environment. If you’re like us and wish to catch an old television show you were invested in from the US, there may be a roadblock to your nostalgic trip. Subscriptions to Indian shows and movies in the US are expensive, and sometimes, unavailable. Don’t let this debbie downer ruin your mood because we have a solution that will give you access to these Hindi TV shows for free.

All you need is Desi Play TV for your daily dose of Indian series nostalgia! With a collection of your favorite Hindi series spanning across multiple genres, you’re sure to be entertained no matter if you like mystery or cooking! The best part about streaming shows on Desi Play TV? These are absolutely free, which means saving hundreds of dollars annually. As a Viacom18 venture, Desi Play TV is a newly launched platform meant to share the love of the silver screen with everyone in the USA for free! You can scratch out downloading pirated content when you have a resourceful platform to watch old-gold shows like Uttaran, Na Aana Is Des Laado, Dev, and Mahakaali.

Nostalgia can be soothing when treated to hot desi food and an old series that you used to watch back home. Whether you’ll be watching alone or hosting a watch party with friends, we’ve got your weekend binge plan sorted!

It has been almost six years since the release of the show Mahakaali, and it still has a huge fan following even in 2023. Many people rave about the series’ plot and special effects, which were brilliantly done for that day and age. Considered a novelty for the silver screen, a religious story depicted from a fictional perspective ended up being the year’s favorite series for families to watch. So, what is it about the series Mahakaali that won over millions of viewers? Here are five reasons!

1. Captivating storyline: Everyone loves strong characters, but what happens when these characters happen to be the favorite deities of our culture? The journey of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva through various trials and tribulations, especially by the hands of two demons. The triumph of good over evil is highly appealing, especially when divinity is the reflection of humanity.

2. Uniqueness: This series is an intricately directed piece which maintains a crisp plot that lasts throughout the entire show. The story sticks to the narrative of Goddess Parvati’s metamorphosis and the events leading up to it with great accuracy and devotion, making it a unique series- a quality hard to find even in 2023.

3. The depiction of female strength: In the changing societal dynamics, the story is a reminder of sacred feminism and naari shakti. It also shows the depth and nuance of feminine rage, a concept that is shied away from on most televised screens. Goddess Kali’s rise and her path in Mahakaali shows us how feminine rage is just as sacred and must be embraced.

4. An amazing star cast: Let’s not forget to give credit to the amazing star-studded cast of Mahakaali. The lead and supporting actors put in an extraordinary effort to channel the characters in a way that makes the series a binge favorite in 2023.

5. Interesting costumes and designing: Apart from the production value and skills, the aesthetic of the show is highly appealing to the Indian audience, especially to those living overseas. Mahakaali offers a bridge of nostalgia about the stories we’ve heard from childhood.

Not only did Mahakaali beautifully depict the transformation of a goddess through various experiences, but also showed us that such a series can be a fan favorite close to a decade. If you want to watch all the episodes of Mahakaali for free in the USA, Desi Play TV is your prime entertainer. Head over to our site to start binging today!

Nowadays, celebrities also make it a point to interact with their audience using Instagram and other apps, which gives us a personal perspective into their lives. Some stars are more private than others, though!

Meghna Malik, who shot to fame with her stint in Na Aana Is Des Laado as Ammaji, is a silver-screen superstar that fans wish to know more about. If you loved her playing a role with such complexity and still love to watch her shine, we’ve got an exclusive scoop for you! Here are five interesting facts our star expert has discovered about Meghna Malik, that make her an amazing person and artist!

Meghna’s take on her roles
Meghna seeks challenging roles and loves to portray strong, non-linear roles. In addition to a challenging role, a powerful script with a message completes the project she is looking for.

On her professional skills
Did you know Meghna is a professionally trained actress? She graduated from the National School of Drama in 1997.

Awards and accolades

1. Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role 2009 · Na Aana Is Des Laado
2. Indian Telly Jury Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role 2010 · Na Aana Is Des Laado
3. ITA Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role 2010 · Na Aana Is Des Laado
4. ITA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2016 · Dahleez

Her favorite places to chill 
Meghna loves a laidback meal at the rooftop restaurants at Hauz Khas Village. The interesting character and designer stores appeal to her aesthetic, but what she values the most is the open space that comes with these opulent spaces.

Is Meghna Malik single?
Meghna is happily married to her long-term beau, Riju Bajaj. They tied the knot in 2000 and have been together ever since.

Celebrities always tend to have an aura of mystery shrouding them, leaving us to wonder what they are like away from the cameras. However, social media has made them more accessible to us than ever before! We hope you enjoyed knowing the brilliant Meghna Malik a little more. Desi Play TV is your entertainment central for mint series and your favorite Hindi television stars; stay tuned for more such interesting editorials and more!

Ashish Chaudhary, a well-known Indian television actor who plays ‘Dev’ in the popular Hindi TV shows Dev on Desi Play TV,  shared his experiences of working in the entertainment industry. He stated that throughout his career as a television actor, he never focused on TRP (television rating point) numbers but instead prioritized punctuality.

Ashish Chaudhary believes that TRP numbers are not the only measure of success for a television show. He stated that as an actor, it is important to focus on delivering a good performance and being punctual on set. “Punctuality is essential for the smooth functioning of television production, and it shows a level of respect and professionalism towards the other members of the crew.” He added.

Chaudhary also spoke about the importance of having a positive attitude on set. He stated that a positive attitude can help to create a good working environment and can lead to better performances by the actors. He believes that having a positive attitude is essential for the overall success of a television show.

The actor also highlighted the importance of hard work and dedication in the entertainment industry. “Success in the industry does not come easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. One needs to be passionate about their work and be willing to put in the effort to achieve success.” shared Ashish.

Ashish Chaudhary’s words of wisdom serve as a reminder that success in the entertainment industry is not just about TRP numbers, but also about other important factors such as punctuality, a positive attitude, and hard work.

Deepika Singh who’s one of the participants in the show Kitchen Champion doesn’t consider herself to be an amazing cook. She believes that she can cook survival food and therefore it was extremely challenging for her to impress the judges of Kitchen Champion. “It’s not easy to impress kids. Especially when kids are the ones who are judging a show. They are also fussy eaters so for me who is an average cook, it was extremely difficult to prepare interesting dishes and impress them.”

Deepika will participate in the show along with her sister and feels that her sister cooks way better than her. “Honestly, because of my hectic shoot schedules, I don’t get a chance to spend time in the kitchen. My sister is a better cook than me and that’s why she keeps teasing me most of the time. Now that both of us will enter the show Kitchen Champion, I will try my best to impress the judges with her support!”

Sharing her experiences of working with kids, Deepika said, “Those kids are extremely naughty. They don’t sit in one place and the entire cast and crew keep running behind them! However, the show will give me an opportunity to learn new, healthy recipes. I will try my best to impress these judges with at least one good dish!”

On asking, how often she steps into the Kitchen to cook, Singh shared,” Once in blue moon only! I also remember one incident. When I was in class 10th, I prepared Sooji ka Halwa (pudding) because mom wasn’t keeping well, and we had guests at our place. But it didn’t turn out as I was expecting it to be, and the entire dessert was a mess. Since then, I decided not to increase the workload of others by stepping into the kitchen!”

Watch all episodes of Kitchen Champion absolutely free only on Desi Play TV, now available on Sling & Plex. 

The mythological show Mahakaali explores the concept of balance being restored through the emergence of a new entity when evil surpasses good. The series centers on Goddess Parvathi’s transformation into the powerful Mahakaali, who is not typically known for her violent nature.

Goddess Parvathi is often viewed as the humble partner of Lord Shiva, but according to mythology, she also embodies the powerful Mahakaali, who battles evil and ensures the victory of good. This mythological show delves into the genre of education through entertainment with the series Mahakaali. The audiences are receptive to mythological stories that are well-researched and have a strong narrative and hence Mahakaali keeps the viewers hooked to their screens.

This mythological series is a fresh attempt to gauge the popularity of fiction shows on weekends. Mahakaali tells the story of Parvathi and in a time when women are encouraged to embrace their inner strength, the show aims to be a powerful representation of the capabilities of the female entity.

Here are some interesting facts about the show Mahakaali: 

A- The cast and crew were temporarily relocated to Umbergaon, which is located near the border of Mumbai and Gujarat, for shooting.

B- The post-production visual effects for each episode used to take twice as long as the actual filming of the sequence.

C- Additionally, it used to take about 4 hours each day for the actresses to get ready in the costume of “Mahakaali”.

D- The appearance of Parvathi was updated to reflect the depiction of the goddess as worshipped in the state.

Watch all episodes of Mahakaali absolutely free on Desi Play TV, now available on Sling and Plex.

Sparsh Khanchandani who plays little Iccha in the Hindi TV show ‘Uttaran’  shared her thoughts on the show, and how she was treated like any other child in school despite her fame on the show. “I was never treated like a star in my school, which kept me grounded. But my friends and teachers used to always be curious to know what’s going to happen in the coming episode.” Added Sparsh.

Sharing more on how her friends and teacher address her, Sparsh said,” All of them call me by my real name but my pet name is Go Go. My mom calls me Go Go because she thinks this is a cute name and suits me well!”

Sparsh shared more details about how she used to perform in academics and time management between her shoot schedule and academics.” My teachers used to be pleased with my performance in academics and I used to do quite well in all the subjects. There was never pressure with respect to time management because I used to carry all the study material to the sets and study in between shoot breaks. That entire time when I used to shoot for Uttaran was full of fun instead of any pressure. Everyone was extremely supportive towards my studies as well.”

Sparsh started her acting career at a young age, but she never compromised with her studies. She also feels that child actors who enter the entertainment industry at a young age should never neglect the importance of studies. “Studies should always come first, and every child needs to complete their studies no matter what. In my opinion, acting is not a steady career because you may or may not get roles. The time is not always the same. Studies hold a lot of importance.”

Watch all episodes of Uttaran absolutely free only on Desi Play TV. Now available on Sling and Plex. 

She has a captivating beauty, exudes vitality and excels in dance, meet Rashami Desai who plays Tapasya in the popular Desi TV show ‘Uttaran’. She spoke in length about what Uttaran means to her, her bond with the co-stars and more.

In the Hindi TV show Uttaran, you have portrayed both positive and negative characters, which one do you prefer more?
As an actor, I think both roles are great. But personally, I prefer the good character, as playing the villainous Tapasya made me feel quite negative. As an actor, a negative role is certainly more challenging, it creates variations and twists in the show.

What’s your take on the story plots portrayed in Indian TV shows? 
I think these shows have undergone significant changes over time and will continue to evolve with each new generation. There are shows that portray strong characters with amazing storylines and successfully make a positive impact on society.

Which show according to you is the biggest competitor of Uttaran? 
It is challenging to find specific faults because each performance is unique and there is competition at all levels.

How special is Uttaran to you? 
Uttaran holds a special place in my life both professionally and personally. It was a significant show that played a major role in my career. It was the starting point of many good memories, including my rise to fame, my comeback, and even meeting my significant other.

If not an actress, what would you be? 
I used to dream of becoming an air hostess. Now I’m an actress so I admire this profession very much.

Meet Shruti Rawat who plays Jigna in the popular Hindi TV show ‘Bhaag Bakool Bhaag’. Jigna is a sweet and simple girl who is married to Bakool but she is unaware that due to unavoidable circumstances, Bakool ends up marrying another girl. Now Bakool is stuck in a situation where he keeps juggling between 2 wives and the entire roller coaster begins in Sheena, Jigna and Bakool’s life.

Talking about how Shruti must have felt if she was stuck in a situation like Jigna, she said, “I’m not someone who would accept the situation. The person at the other end should choose me because I won’t step back!”

Shruti shared more about her on-screen character and whether she finds any similarities between herself and Jigna. “Jigna is Bakool’s first wife. Both Bakool and Jigna were young when they got married without knowing what life would bring for them ahead. Jigna on the other hand is a sweet, simple, homely girl and an ideal daughter-in-law. But I don’t find any similarities between myself and Jigna. We are poles apart. Compared to Jigna, I’m a very outgoing person and live with a carefree attitude.”

Sharing further about chemistry with her on-screen mother-in-law, Shruti said,” Both of them share an ideal relationship. Jigna treats her mother-in-law as a mentor because she keeps guiding Jigna at various stages of life. Jigna on the other hand likes to take care of the entire family.”

Watch all episodes of Bhaag Bakool Bhaag absolutely free only on Desi Play TV. The channel is available on Sling and Plex. 

Here we introduce you to the world of delicious chicken recipes from the free Desi TV serial ‘Dine with Colors’. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting, these recipes will surely please your taste buds and impress your guests. From classic comfort foods to new and exciting flavors, these chicken dishes will surely become staples in your kitchen. So, put on your apron and let’s get cooking with the best chicken recipes from ‘Dine with Colors’!

Dish: Chicken Lajawab 
Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 Cardomom pieces
• 1 Cinamon stick
• 3-4 Cloves
• 1 cup chopped onion and tomatoes
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• Salt to taste
• 1-pound boneless chicken pieces
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 1 tsp dry fenugreek
• 2 tsp grated ginger

How to cook:

• In a pan add oil and then add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
• Sauté it for a bit.
• Now add chopped onion and tomatoes. Let it cook for about 5 minutes.
• Now add ginger, garlic paste, chili powder, cumin powder, and salt.
• Now add Chicken pieces, and tomato puree and then add fenugreek seeds.
• Mix everything well and let it cook for 15 minutes.
• When cooked, plate with chopped Cilantro and grated ginger.

Recipe: Free-range chicken breast 
Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup chopped onions
• 2 tbsp chopped garlic
• ¼ cup white wine
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1 cup chopped veggies (Zucchini, carrots, peas)
• 1 tbsp butter
• Mashed potatoes

How to cook: 

• Season chicken breast with salt and pepper and lightly sauté in a pan.
• Now place it in the oven for 30 minutes at 500 degrees.
• Sauce: in another pan. Sauté onion, garlic, chicken stock and white wine.
• For the vegetables sauté in a different pan with salt and pepper
• Now take out the chicken from the oven and cook again in melted butter and sauce for about 5 minutes.
• Now serve with vegetables and mashed potatoes.

Watch all episodes of Dine with Colors only on Desi Play TV absolutely free. The channel is available on Sling and Plex.