Malgudi Days (1986)

Comedy · Drama

## Series Overview Set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, *Malgudi Days* brings R. K. Narayan’s celebrated stories to life through a rich collection of tales about ordinary people and everyday experiences. Blending humour, warmth, irony and social observation, the series explores childhood, family, friendship, ambition, poverty, tradition, superstition and the changing values of Indian society. From schoolboys and shopkeepers to servants, postmen, astrologers and wandering performers, each story captures the distinctive character of Malgudi while reflecting universal human emotions. Adapted from Narayan’s short stories and novels, *Malgudi Days* remains one of Indian television’s most enduring literary adaptations.

IMDb rating: 9.4 (4,565 votes)
Episode average: 8.1 -1.3 vs IMDb
Seasons: 4
Language: HI
Type: TV series

Rating trend: this show's seasons do not settle into one shape. Rising Shows ranks whole shows by the shape of their rating trend rather than one average score, which is how you find a show that got better rather than a show that started well.

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Ratings refreshed Oct 3, 2026 · 4 seasons indexed

Cast

Seasons

Season 1 (1986)

7.96 avg 13 episodes 8.6 → 6.9 22 min avg

Bad finale

Season 1 episodes - IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
1	A Hero	8.6	49
2	A Horse and Two Goats	8.7	47
3	The Missing Mail	8.0	27
4	The Hoard	8.0	28
5	Cat Within	7.5	25
6	Leela's Friend	7.8	26
7	Old Man of the Temple	8.3	24
8	The Watchman	8.2	33
9	A Willing Slave	7.8	26
10	Roman Image	7.9	19
11	Sweets for Angels	7.8	18
12	The Seventh House	8.0	22
13	Nitya	6.9	21

Season 2 (1987)

8.30 avg 13 episodes 8.4 → 8.6 22 min avg

Rollercoaster

Season 2 episodes - IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
1	Engine Trouble	8.4	28
2	Ishwaran	7.2	22
3	The Gateman's Gift	7.9	23
4	The Edge	7.0	22
5	Forty Five a Month	8.8	33
6	Swami and Friends: Part 1	9.1	83
7	Swami and Friends: Part 2	8.6	52
8	Swami and Friends: Part 3	8.5	46
9	Swami and Friends: Part 4	8.5	40
10	Swami and Friends: Part 5	8.5	41
11	Swami and Friends: Part 6	8.2	39
12	Swami and Friends: Part 7	8.6	39
13	Swami and Friends: Part 8	8.6	37

Season 3 (1988)

8.16 avg 13 episodes 7.3 → 8.7 22 min avg

Slow burn

Season 3 episodes - IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
1	The Performing Child	7.3	22
2	The Career	8.1	18
3	Trail of the Green Blazer	7.6	20
4	Naga: Part 1	7.7	22
5	Naga: Part 2	7.6	21
6	Vendor of Sweets: Part 1	8.5	34
7	Vendor of Sweets: Part 2	8.6	27
8	Vendor of Sweets: Part 3	8.1	25
9	Vendor of Sweets: Part 4	8.7	30
10	Vendor of Sweets: Part 5	8.7	31
11	Vendor of Sweets: Part 6	8.4	26
12	Vendor of Sweets: Part 7	8.1	25
13	Vendor of Sweets: Part 8	8.7	29

Season 4 (2006)

7.80 avg 15 episodes 8.1 → 8.2 23 min avg

Rollercoaster

Season 4 episodes - IMDb ratings
#	Title	Rating	Votes
1	Annamalai: Part 1	8.1	22
2	Annamalai: Part 2	7.8	21
3	The Gold Belt	7.5	20
4	Dodu	8.2	25
5	The Doctor's Word	7.7	14
6	Four Rupees	8.3	22
7	Neighbour's Help	7.9	17
8	Minister Without Portfolio	7.1	18
9	Salt and Sawdust: Part 1	8.1	19
10	Salt and Sawdust: Part 2	7.9	16
11	Lawley Road: Part 1	7.6	15
12	Lawley Road: Part 2	7.5	15
13	Antidote	7.3	19
14	Snake Song	7.8	17
15	An Astrologer's Day	8.2	22