Indian TV shows 'leap' ahead for freshness (Trend Feature)

Old characters become 'older', new characters add a fresh charm and a twist in the storyline refreshes viewers' interest - the small screen's time-tested 'leap' formula has returned with shows like "Comedy Nights With Kapil", "Bha


Old characters become 'older', new characters add a fresh charm and a twist in the storyline refreshes viewers' interest - the small screen's time-tested 'leap' formula has returned with shows like "Comedy Nights With Kapil", "Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap" and "Diya Aur Baati Hum".

Once popular with TV tsarina Ekta Kapoor's long running shows, the 'leap' formula is turning out to be a saviour for multiple show makers -- be it a six-year leap in "Diya Aur Baati Hum", a plunge of 10 years in "Saath Nibhana Saathiya", and "Bandhan", a five years jump in "Balika Vadhu", and nine years' jump in "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai".

Actress Deepika Singh, popular as IPS officer Sandhya Rathi of "Diya Aur Baati Hum", says the leap formula gives a "different and fresh" shape to the story without deflecting a show's concept.

"Leap gives a very different shape to the story and also gives a fresh new feel which is liked by the audiences. It is introduced so that even audiences get something new to watch, new dynamics in the house and new characters," Deepika, whose character is shown balancing her job and motherhood post the leap, told IANS.

Often shows go in the fast forward mode due to plummeting viewership, but "Diya Aur Baati Hum" is one such show which took a leap despite enjoying a good response.

Deepika says the idea was to bring in "something different to the audience".

"It's only natural to move to the next phase of life, from getting married to excelling at work, and then the obvious next step was motherhood for (my character) Sandhya. So, the leap was introduced in the story to show a new phase in her life," Deepika added.

Other shows which took a leap in recent times include "Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi" and "Qubool Hai".

The leap formula is not only in demand for soap operas. Entertainers like "F.I.R.", "Lapataganj", "Chandragupta Maurya" and "Mahabharat" have also experimented with it in recent times.

The newest to join the league is comedy show "Comedy Nights With Kapil" and popular historical drama "Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap".

"The leap in 'Maharana Pratap' showcases the siege of Chittor which is a sad chapter in our history. However, it reflects the true spirit of our freedom fighters who did not lose hope in such adversity and showed great courage and bravado. We are going to take the help of VFX to show this conflict and give it the required scale," said Abhimanyu Singh, CEO of Contiloe Pictures Pvt Ltd.

For a show like "Balika Vadhu", which has been running successfully for seven years, the 'leap' has always worked in its favour. Having started as a story about child marriage, the show has come full circle and is once again tackling the evil social practice via a new protagonist. That is keeping viewers hooked, even as the show continues to touch upon social messages.

The 'leap' trick was exactly why Ekta's shows like "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" and "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" continued to work for years -- so much so that it became like a 'trump card' for makers to give their offerings an entertaining look.

That the trend has sustained for so long proves that it's working.

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Ekta Kapoor Thumbnail

Ekta Kapoor

Abhimanyu Singh Thumbnail

Abhimanyu Singh

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi poster

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki poster

Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki

Kasautii Zindagii Kay poster

Kasautii Zindagii Kay

Chandragupta Maurya poster

Chandragupta Maurya

LapataGanj poster

LapataGanj

Mahabharat poster

Mahabharat

F.I.R poster

F.I.R

Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap poster

Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap

Qubool Hai poster

Qubool Hai

Comedy Nights with Kapil poster

Comedy Nights with Kapil

Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi poster

Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi

Balika Vadhu poster

Balika Vadhu

Diya Aur Baati Hum poster

Diya Aur Baati Hum

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai poster

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai

Saath Nibhana Saathiya poster

Saath Nibhana Saathiya

Comments (7)

Meri aashiqui tumse hi rocks
Shakti arora love u as RV

8 years ago

YRKKH really should end now
High time
Show is going over-board with bullcrap

8 years ago

Meri aashiqui tumse hi rocks
Shakti arora love u as RV

8 years ago

So basically we indian refuse seethe trashy ideas we present in name of stroyline. Maybe BV is getting a fresh characters but not fresh concept. The show is going on and on on same concept without any proper conclusion unless getting widow or never attaining happiness is a part of good concusion

8 years ago

even though a leap might be great, there are times when a ph should just end the show and then take a break and come back with a new season. make it completely fresh. that could be useful in some places both for viewers and the actors. imo.

8 years ago

Surbhi Jyoti Rocks. Keep Rocking in Qubool Hai!

8 years ago

deepika has been quoted but she hasnt been tagged, who is the reporter lol. diya aur baati hum is doing good post leap. i wont say leap has worked wonders but its not that bad, and better than other shows which are highly dependent on high voltage drama, dabh is smooth and doing fantastic with focus on family emotions and sentiments. keep up the good work dabh team. hope you guyz get back us our fav spot on BARC chart

8 years ago

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