They took over the screens in India a long time ago and it seems they are doing the same over here.

More famous than any Bollywood pin-up the Soap stars are fast making evenings for most Asian households hell.

The Indian soap is best described as a mix between your typical Bollywood movie, Dallas and Eastenders. Most likely to be set within the home of a rich family whole episodes can be devoted to loose plots revolving around one mobile phone call.

Filmed in cinematic style the tense music, slow motion scenes and basic storylines have struck a chord with audiiences who simply cant get enough of them.

Revenge, love, betrayal and the fact that most of the time the whole family doesnt do anything but stand around waiting for something to happen in lavish surroundings might not be your cup of tea. But that hasnt stopped the daily episodes attracting millions of viewers in India and increased their popularity worldwide.

None more so than in Britain where youngsters are having to fight with their parents just to regain control of the remote.

There are villains but not the kind who are really bad but the kind that back-bite and cause problems within the extended family. A formula most soaps love to play over and over again because they know they have a struck a chord with Asian families.

At the top of the pile is Star TVs Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. A story about Tulsi who lives in a household with tonnes of people and somehow manages to sort everyones life out.

Tulsi is the queen of the Indian soap scene and reaches the hearts of millions each week.

Star Pluss other big hitter is all about an ever-so- pleasant Kum Kum who is.married into the rich Wadhwa family. It is the archetypl Indian soap with the family always the target of some mindless baddie - need that be Abay Chahan or Renuka.

Star TV really have every weekday evening covered With half-hour dramas beginning at 7pm and finishing at 1am. We havent even mentioned Shagun and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii.

Sony TVs Kkusum epitomizes the values and virtues of the Indian woman who puts the well being of the family before self and stands up for her principles.

Astitva - ek prem kahani on Zee TV popularity is based on the the fact we have a lonely educated woman in her thirties trying to find love.