Bigg Boss, Yudh: TV shows with bumper budgets

The small screen in India is getting bigger and better with every passing day. The television audience is getting more than they would have asked for as several TV shows turn out be more expensive than even some of the big banner films. From the Gods coming alive in Mahabharat to reality show Bigg Boss, the small screen is witnessing bumper-budget shows with even Bollywood stars turning TV hosts. Check out the most expensive TV shows that graced the small screen.

Mahabharat on Star Plus: With Shaheer Sheikh as Arjuna and Pooja Sharma as Draupadi, it is one of the most expensive shows ever made for the Indian screens. The extravagant sets of Mahabharat have been created in Umbergaon in Gujarat at a cost of about Rs 100 crore. With a whopping number of about 600 people working behind the scenes, this Mahabharat has definitely redefined the television scene in India.

Yudh on Sony Entertainment Television: Anurag Kashyap’s show starring superstar Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most expensive fiction series in the history of Indian television. It is said to be made at a cost of Rs 3 crore per episode and featured big names like Amitabh Bachchan, Sarika, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Kay Kay Menon. However, the show didn't prove to be as successful as the makers might have wanted it to.

Bigg Boss on Colors: The eighth season of reality show Bigg Boss is estimated to be one of the costliest television shows in India. It is rumoured that host Salman Khan charges between 5-7 crore per episode and even the contestants win a considerable amount of money for surviving every week and making it to the finals. The overall budget of the show is undoubtedly a sky-high figure.

Jodha Akbar on Zee TV: Starring Paridhi Sharma and Rajat Tokas in the lead roles, the show is ruling the small screens since a long time. However, the show, which has been repeatedly compared with the Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai’s film is no less in its grandeur. The film’s set designer Nitin Desai hasn't compromised on any aspect and ensured lavishness. Moreover, jewellery and costumes worth lakhs have been specially designed for the lead actors.

24 on Colors: Anil Kapoor’s TV show 24 was also one of the most talked-about expensive television shows. Anil Kapoor played the lead in the remake of the English TV series with the same name which had him as one of the actors. Anil Kapoor also shared screen space with Mandira Bedi, Tisca Chopra and Anupam Kher in the show which was made at a cost of Rs 2 crore per episode.

Bharat Ka Veer Putra– Maharana Pratap on Sony Entertainment Television: The costumes, jewellery and lavish sets add up to the budget of this rather appealing show. Almost thirty percent of the show’s budget is allocated for costumes which are worth over Rs 1 lakh per outfit.

Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev on Life OK: The mythological show has been ruling the TV screen since the past few years. Mohit Raina and Mouni Roy play Shiva and Sati in the show which is made at a cost of Rs 14 lakh per episode. Its popularity rides high on opulent sets and costumes but the graphics team of 90 people which make the show a success, too are a costly affair.