A genuine laughter medicine or a pain in the script?

Prime time slots on GEC's are replete with intense story lines, be it Kuch Toh Log Kahenge on Sony TV, Balika Vadhu on Colors or Parichay Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka on Colors.

Catering to the demands of audience and advertisers, the production houses are trying to crack the mythical formula to increase the longetivity of the show. One ingredient employed by them is comedy. Most television shows these days have dedicated characters to essay the role of a comedian. However, much to the chagrin of audience, comedy fails to hit the bull's eye. Comedy scenes in another wise intense story come across as forced and do not add much to the already stagnant storyline.

Mark Farokh Parakh who stars in ' Dekha Ek Khwaab' on Sony TV feels that comedy is an integral part of daily soaps – " I don't think comedy breaks the intensity of the storyline. Even in all the Shakepearan Dramas, comedy has been pivotal. Take Merchant of Venice for example, Launcelot Gobo was hilarious and is a key part of the drama. So, if you have comedy scattered for let's say 5 minutes in a half an hour show , it doesn't really hurt any storyline"

Channels like SAB TV on the other hand are popular for their comic content. They have various shows with independent episodes and story lines like 'Chidiya Ghar' and 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'

Debina Bonnerjee who is a part of 'Chidiya Ghar'on SAB TV feels that Comedy content can be suitably viewed by children – " There is no restriction on TV viewing these days by parents. Content on channel like SAB TV can be enjoyed by the entire family without having to flip embarrassingly through the channels. Even Bollywood is now going the comedy way. Akshay Kumar had stepped out of his action shoes and has embraced comedy and he seems to be doing really well. For intense dramas, there has be a balance. Comedy should not be at the expense of the story line"

Comedy in serials is like a see saw battle with viewers having diverse views and opinions. Some feel while comedy presents a welcome change from intense storyline others argue that it only dilutes the storyline.


Reporter and Author : Medha Devendramita