Pudhcha Paaul (transl. The next step) is an Indian Marathi Soap opera that aired on Star Pravah.^[1] It is an official remake of Hindi TV serial Saath Nibhaana Saathiya of StarPlus.^[2] It premiered on 2 May 2011 and stopped on 1 July 2017 completing 1944 episodes.^[3] It is one of the longest-running Marathi television series and Star Pravah's longest-running series also.

Kalyani is a simple naive girl. She married in the Sardeshmukh family where she develops a bitter-sweet relation with her mother-in-law Rajlaxmi, the stern matriarch of the family. Rajlaxmi makes Kalyani dance to her tunes. The story progresses as Rajlaxmi turns mentor to Kalyani.^[4]

The story revolves around a simple innocent orphaned village girl named Kalyani. She does all the household work yet her aunt Kanchanmala and cousin Rupali cannot tolerate her, and torture her daily. She is illiterate and they do not allow her to take any education. One day Rajalaxmi (aka Akkasaheb) Sardeshmukh comes to their home with his son Soham for marriage of Rupali with Soham who already has an affair with another girl. But instead of Rupali she likes Kalyani and decides to make the latter her daughter-in-law, going against the wishes of her son.

Later both Kalyani and Rupali are married to Soham and Rohit (Soham's cousin) respectively. Rupali is jealous of Kalyani as she failed to become elder daughter-in-law of Sardeshmukh mansion which may deprive her of inheriting the property of the Sardeshmukh family. She, along with the evil plans of her mother Kanchanmala creates problems in Kalyani's life and tries to kill her. With all of these troubles on her shoulder, Kalyani completes all of her duties and wins all other family member's hearts. Later Soham also coming out from his past, falls in love with Kalyani and accepts her as his wife. In all the troubles Rajalaxmi supports her as her own daughter making an inherent bond between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Taking the opportunity of brother's death Soham's ex-girlfriend comes again in Soham and Kalyani's married life to make Kalyani's life hell. She pretends as mentally unstable and innocent Kalyani takes her in Sardeshmukh mansion going against everyone's decision. Soham's ex now makes problems to kick Kalyani out of the house and to bring back Soham again in her life.

In June 2011, it was the most watched Marathi serial with 3.8 TVR.^[7] In week 5 of 2012, it gained 4.1 TVR fetching second position.^[8] In week 13 of 2012, it garnered 4.2 TVR maintaining its top position.^[9] In May 2012, it garnered 3.9 TVR with gaining second position.^[10]