The American sitcom Friends, which made Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and their co-stars household names, had a lesser-known Indian adaptation called Hello Friends. The Hindi-language remake premiered in 1999 but failed to leave a lasting impact, running for just one season with 26 episodes.
Like the original, Hello Friends followed six young friends navigating life, love, and careers while frequently gathering at a café. The cast included Simone Singh as Sanjana (Monica), Cyrus Broacha as Cyrus (Chandler), Aparna Tilak as Nisha (Rachel), Nikhil Chinapa as Vikram (Ross), Maria Goretti as Penny (Phoebe), and Anil Dimri as Rahul (Joey). While it attempted to replicate the charm of Friends, the show struggled due to its weak humor and lack of chemistry between characters.
Recently, clips from Hello Friends have resurfaced on social media, sparking renewed reactions. Many users have criticized the adaptation, pointing out its forced performances and lack of authenticity. One user commented, As a Friends fan, I can't bear this torture... ouch, my eyes! Another joked, It's like every character is Janice!
Despite its attempt to recreate a global hit, Hello Friends failed to resonate with audiences, remaining a forgotten chapter in Indian television history—until now.