It began airing on Colors TV from 21 July 2008 and had its final episode on 31 July 2016, thus ending a long 8 years saga on Indian television. The story which is set in rural Rajasthan traced the arduous journey of a child bride from the brink of childhood to womanhood. First season focuses on the life journey of Anandi and Jagdish, who were married in childhood. The second season reflects the lives of Anandi's daughter Dr. Nandini who was also a child bride. Balika Vadhu very sensitively portrays the plight of children who are unwittingly forced into marriage, in the name of tradition, and have to bear the repercussions for the rest of their lives[2]
It has been credited as the first Indian fiction show to complete 2000 episodes.[3]
The show had two seasons titled Balika Vadhu – Kachchi Umar Ke Pakke Rishte ( English: Child Bride — Strong Relationships of Tender Age, Child Marriage — Strong Relationship of Tender Age) and Balika Vadhu — Lamhe Pyaar Ke ( English: Child Bride — Moments of Love, Child Marriage — Moments of Love) .[4]
Balika Vadhu has also been dubbed in Telugu as Chinnari Pellikuthuru on MAA TV and Tamil as Mann Vasanai on Raj TV and being telecast from Monday to Saturday at 7.30 pm IST.
