The repeat telecast of iconic Doordarshan shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat during the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown brought back nostalgic memories for many. These serials, originally aired in the 1980s, fostered a collective viewing experience, with families and neighborhoods gathering around a single screen. The 2020 re-run achieved record viewership, becoming the most-watched television show globally with 77 million viewers on April 16, 2020, highlighting television's enduring power to unite audiences.