#EditorsTake: The FAILURE of 'Dastaan..' is a REMINDER that there is no SURE-SHOT formula of SUCCESS

The wave of historical and mythological shows in our country is always on a high and time and again, where amidst all the usual fiction shows that come and go on the tube, there is always one historical or mythological show that is always a constant. 

Currently, we have shows like Karn Sangini, Dastaan-E-Mohobbat: Salim Anarkali, Chandragupta Maurya, Vighnahartha Ganesha, Paramavtar Shri Krishna, RadhaKrishn and Mere Sai on the tube. Evidently, there is a lot.

But, consciously or sub-consciously, there is a pre-conceived notion that presenting a mythological or historical show will result in success. Of course, we aren't saying that there haven't been enough failures to look at already, but the ratio of success is a lot higher. Hence, we do end up witnessing a barrage of shows belonging to the above-mentioned genre.

No. We are sure that the makers of Dastaan-E-Mohobbat did not put the show on-air having the idea that only because the show is a historical saga, it will be a guaranteed success. But the failure of the show is a reminder to all the other makers out there who may feel that they have a sure-shot formula of success. Here are some factors that enable it-

We, as Indians, are used to following herd mentality and hence, when we see a particular show doing wonders there are a plethora of shows having a similar flavour on-air already. This results in fatigue, and before you know, even the quintessential TV viewers end up nit-picking only a few. As the introduction above mentions how we have a large amount of historical and mythological shows, the viewers already seem to be content with the options available. They will not resort to something else and new unless that new presentation is something ground-breaking.

Talking only about Dastaan-E-Mohobbat here, the show had everything going right for it since day one. A large-scale - check, A premier channel - check, stalwart leads - check. This and many other factors should have almost resulted in sure-shot success. But the cliche was proved right here as in the end, in spite of the obvious positives, the story did not connect with the viewers and that never got better with time passing by.

The failure of the show and the underperforming KarnSangini on Star Plus should serve as a lesson for all the makers and to an extent, even the viewers out there that albeit we have a much higher success ratio of historical and mythological shows, that never-ever means that the same is a sure-shot formula of success. Because, if a show like Dastaan-E-Mohobbat: Salim Anarkali can underperform, anything else is possible in this particular segment.

The herd mentality is at an all-time high in the supernatural genre as well, where a channel like Colors itself three supernatural shows alone. Of course, Naagin 3 is a franchise and nothing will affect the show's run at all, but about the others, the future seems bleak and there is a chance the fatigue from the genre will result in rejection soon.

What do you think of the above? Leave in your comments below...