Sanjivani (2002 TV series)


Sanjivani: A Medical Boon is an Indian medical drama television series that aired on Star Plus from 2002 to 2005 during Wednesdays. It is touted as the first Indian medical drama.
A sequel series Dill Mill Gaye premiered on 2007 on Star One. A reboot version named Sanjivani premiered on Star Plus in 12 August 2019.
It is remembered as the first Indian series to discuss on HIV.

Plot

Sanjivani narrates a story about four medical interns namely Dr. Juhi Singh, Dr. Rahul Mehra, Dr. Simran Chopra and Dr. Omi Joshi and the trials and tribulations they face to fight a constant battle against diseases and death of patients while balancing their professional and personal life.

Cast

Main

playing Dr. Omi quit the series unhappy with the ongoing story but soon returned back in February 2005 for his death sequence when Omi is shown suffering from HIV and dies.

Sequels and remake

It was remade in Bengali as Ekhane Akash Neel on Star Jalsha.
From 2007 to 2010, a sequel series titled, Dill Mill Gaye aired on Star One starring Jennifer Winget and Karan Singh Grover.
In 2019 another sequel of the series also titled Sanjivani premiered on Star Plus starring Namit Khanna and Surbhi Chandna, with Gurdeep Kohli and Mohnish Bahl reprising their roles from the original series.

Reception

stated, "Sanjivani’s success came from its refreshing storytelling process, script and the performances of the actors. It also had the perfect mix of drama and romance, dollops of emotions and a strange relatability factor that none of the dailies provided during that time."
Months after launch, in April 2002, it averaged a low rating of 3.75 TVR while in mid October it rose to 4.08 TVR and in late October to 5.59 TVR. Since December, it steadily rose until June 2003 where in December, January, April, May and June 2003 it garnered 5.92, 6.35, 7.3 and 7.8 TVR. In early July it decreased to 6.9 TVR. In first week of September 2003, it garnered 6.8 TVR while the following week it rose to 7.6 TVR. In first week of August it rose to 8.5 TVR. In week 39, it was at fifteenth position with 7.9 TVR while in week 40 of 2003, it garnered its peak rating of 10.1 TVR entering into top 10 programs for the first time occupying sixth position with the character Dr. Aham's death track.