ARE CREATIVES PUPPETS ?

i dont think creatives of any serial seriously care for the opinions of internet users. afterall most internet users here are nris and hindi shows target audiences from small towns in the hindi heartland of up, bihar, mp. people from such places would rarely log into a forum like this one. only reason the creatives might login is to check instant reaction of viewers. otherwise only thing they care for really is the trps and their maibaap from the channel. so i really appreciate the efforts of the makers of this show in presenting an unconventional subject.

We are a few days behind in US, so I watched the Sameer Aarti episode 2 days ago and I liked it!
I dont know why AKA fans here complained abt it? 😕
It dealt with a serious issue of impotency and adoption. I applaud Arti's decision to adopt a little girl, especially a slightly older girl, since most adoptive parents prefer infants and boys. 👏

I hope Sameer gets over his ego problems and accepts the child soon as their own! 😃

Originally posted by: pallavi25

We are a few days behind in US, so I watched the Sameer Aarti episode 2 days ago and I liked it!
I dont know why AKA fans here complained abt it? 😕
It dealt with a serious issue of impotency and adoption. I applaud Arti's decision to adopt a little girl, especially a slightly older girl, since most adoptive parents prefer infants and boys. 👏

I hope Sameer gets over his ego problems and accepts the child soon as their own! 😃

Agreed. I thought this was great. Adoption is never taken as a serious option for most Indians, despite living in an overpopulated country with millions of orphans. European and American families are happily willing to adopt Indian children, but Indians themselves aren't willing to care for their own? Shame on them.

I'm glad a show finally had the guts to show that adoption is a legitimate option, and that the bond between an adoptive mother and child is just as strong as a birth mother and child. I know an American couple who just recently adopted a baby and there is no way you can tell me that she doesn't love her child just as much as any birth mother loves theirs. The bond was instantaneous and the child has brought so much joy into their lives. Motherhood is about RAISING children and participating in their lives, not simply doing what is biologically necessary. Just about anyone can do that. There is nothing special about it.

My only qualm is that I don't think it makes sense that Arti did that without Sameer's consent. Legally speaking, shouldn't both parents have to give their consent? And despite the fact that Sam is being irrational and egotistical, I do think it's wrong to make such a critical decision without his approval. I don't know if they have foster families in India, but it would have been better if Mili came as a foster child so Sam can get used to her and regain his confidence, and then adopt her willingly instead of forcibly. I just don't think the current situation is fair to the child.

Overall though, kudos to them for at least broaching the subject.

Originally posted by: kshreya2002

i dont think creatives of any serial seriously care for the opinions of internet users. afterall most internet users here are nris and hindi shows target audiences from small towns in the hindi heartland of up, bihar, mp. people from such places would rarely log into a forum like this one. only reason the creatives might login is to check instant reaction of viewers. otherwise only thing they care for really is the trps and their maibaap from the channel. so i really appreciate the efforts of the makers of this show in presenting an unconventional subject.

as for me i have put my faith in them and supported the pre leap twists but post leap has disappointed me especially yesterday's episode. i hope they have something better in store for us rather than some forced situations.

Yeah, I think a lot of forum members seem to think they have more control than they do. If you go on any forum for more typical Zee serials like CB or PR, whenever something happens that the viewers don't like, they whine and complain and threaten to never watch again...but ultimately they always come back for more. Viewers CAN influence a story, but not by writing about it on the forums. The way to influence the story is to simply stop watching. When viewers stop watching, the TRPs drop, and only then do the creatives realize something is wrong. When they realize something is wrong, they might even check IF to see what fans are saying. People on IF need to put their money where their mouth is. If you don't like something, then don't watch it. Even then, unless you live in India, it won't matter because I viewership of NRI's isn't counted as part of the ratings. Creatives can get away with dragging stories, repeating the same problems over and over again, and adding all kinds of excessive twists and turns because viewers keep coming back to watch. Let's not kid ourselves: Indians love drama and tragedy. They may pretend they don't, but they do!

I read the updates for all the shows I follow, and if I decide the episode isn't worth watching, I just don't watch it. Simple.

Originally posted by: rainabow

<br><br>Agreed. I thought this was great. Adoption is never taken as a serious option for most Indians, despite living in an overpopulated country with millions of orphans. European and American families are happily willing to adopt Indian children, but Indians themselves aren't willing to care for their own? Shame on them.<br><br>I'm glad a show finally had the guts to show that adoption is a legitimate option, and that the bond between an adoptive mother and child is just as strong as a birth mother and child. I know an American couple who just recently adopted a baby and there is no way you can tell me that she doesn't love her child just as much as any birth mother loves theirs. The bond was instantaneous and the child has brought so much joy into their lives. Motherhood is about RAISING children and participating in their lives, not simply doing what is biologically necessary. Just about anyone can do that. There is nothing special about it.<br><br>My only qualm is that I don't think it makes sense that Arti did that without Sameer's consent. Legally speaking, shouldn't both parents have to give their consent? And despite the fact that Sam is being irrational and egotistical, I do think it's wrong to make such a critical decision without his approval. I don't know if they have foster families in India, but it would have been better if Mili came as a foster child so Sam can get used to her and regain his confidence, and then adopt her willingly instead of forcibly. I just don't think the current situation is fair to the child. <br><br>Overall though, kudos to them for at least broaching the subject. <br>

Yeah, like you I thought abt the legal aspect too! 😆 I mean isnt the father also supposed to sign the adoption papers? 😕
If Aarti was a single woman it would be a different issue....like Sushmita Sen adopted her little girl....but Aarti is married so her husband's signature and clearance would also be required. Or do Indian adoption agencies give kids to anyone who walks in? 😕
Here in US, childless couples adopt kids from all over the world. Even ppl with children sometimes adopt from poor countries to give those kids a decent life and bright future.
Ive seen some mixed families like Angelina Jolie's in my town itself.
A childless NRI couple we know, adopted 2 little boys from India. It warms my heart to see such progress in mentality. 😃
I dont think they have foster care in India....only adoption is done.

Good discussion here on adoption. As far as I know Indian laws are very stringent wrt adoption. Its a lengthy process if someone wants to do it legally and can take months. But if you keep an orphan kid at home no one would probably care. There are also rules on singletons adopting which are more stringent as compared to married couples as the emphasis is on providing the child a complete family. A single man adopting a girl is a strict no-no. A single woman has it easier. As far as I know childless married couples are preferred the most. Not sure if the consent of both is neccessary but logically it should be. Rules for foreign nationals adopting Indian children is even more stringent. Many times its found that the stringent laws and red tape keeps people from adopting apart from the mental block.
Actually in Antara's case where her biological parents are not married to each other the law requires Aditya and Vidya to adopt her formally if they wish to will some property to her after their death otherwise. But many a times children are not formally adopted in India. The negative aspect of this for the adopted child is that he/she might be denied any share of the property of parents after their death by the biological children.
Now people might question as to why adoption laws are so stringent since adoption is such a noble deed. The reason is many times people have been found to adopt kids to get a free servant at home.🤢 Even foreigners have been found to do that. Some cases the adopted child is even abused sexually. But yeah grease palms in India and all rules will be bent for u. 😡
Coming to Arti's case we cant be picky about right procedure being shown in the show. Lets remember its not a documentary on adoption.

Originally posted by: rainabow

Yeah, I think a lot of forum members seem to think they have more control than they do. If you go on any forum for more typical Zee serials like CB or PR, whenever something happens that the viewers don't like, they whine and complain and threaten to never watch again...but ultimately they always come back for more. Viewers CAN influence a story, but not by writing about it on the forums. The way to influence the story is to simply stop watching. When viewers stop watching, the TRPs drop, and only then do the creatives realize something is wrong. When they realize something is wrong, they might even check IF to see what fans are saying. People on IF need to put their money where their mouth is. If you don't like something, then don't watch it. Even then, unless you live in India, it won't matter because I viewership of NRI's isn't counted as part of the ratings. Creatives can get away with dragging stories, repeating the same problems over and over again, and adding all kinds of excessive twists and turns because viewers keep coming back to watch. Let's not kid ourselves: Indians love drama and tragedy. They may pretend they don't, but they do!

I read the updates for all the shows I follow, and if I decide the episode isn't worth watching, I just don't watch it. Simple.

I know what you mean. People in some forums seriously believe they can close down a channel. But in reality the biggest battle for a show is to get those initial set of loyal viewers. Once thats done the show becomes a habit which cannot be rid off. As for viewers from the forum stopping to watch a show...even the most popular show wouldnt have more than a 1000 loyal members as its fans. 90% of these are from outside India. So would they care for the rest 100 people? Also atleast 95% of these Indian viewers would below 20. So at best the reaction of teen viewers can be judged from these forums. So maybe makers of shows like DMG, MJHT take note of the reactions.
Coming to the high TRP shows like CB, PR actual viewers they target are (mostly small town)housewives who are the most patient people on earth. Channels find it a good strategy to keep this segment hooked as they remain loyal to the show for years. Only thing they spend on is the shooting otherwise no investment is required once the show starts getting good trps. Ending shows every 1-2 years would mean insvesting huge sums of money on a new show. Hence most successful shows eventually become drag fests and sob fests. So given the target audience in mind I guess the at times melodramatic happenings in the show are justified. Afterall the makers are not speaking to internet savvy people like us but the simple small town house wife.

Originally posted by: kshreya2002

I know what you mean. People in some forums seriously believe they can close down a channel. But in reality the biggest battle for a show is to get those initial set of loyal viewers. Once thats done the show becomes a habit which cannot be rid off. As for viewers from the forum stopping to watch a show...even the most popular show wouldnt have more than a 1000 loyal members as its fans. 90% of these are from outside India. So would they care for the rest 100 people? Also atleast 95% of these Indian viewers would below 20. So at best the reaction of teen viewers can be judged from these forums. So maybe makers of shows like DMG, MJHT take note of the reactions.
Coming to the high TRP shows like CB, PR actual viewers they target are (mostly small town)housewives who are the most patient people on earth. Channels find it a good strategy to keep this segment hooked as they remain loyal to the show for years. Only thing they spend on is the shooting otherwise no investment is required once the show starts getting good trps. Ending shows every 1-2 years would mean insvesting huge sums of money on a new show. Hence most successful shows eventually become drag fests and sob fests. So given the target audience in mind I guess the at times melodramatic happenings in the show are justified. Afterall the makers are not speaking to internet savvy people like us but the simple small town house wife.

Shreya even though I almost always agree a 100% with the things you say this time I beg to differ. No way can aap ki antara target the same audience as CB that I know nothing about or PR or all the other similar serials or for that matter small town regular audiences. They would have been put off right at the beginning even had they chosen to tune in and watch it what with realistic portrayals and the main theme of the serial and the way it was handled initially and for quite a long time after that and also hinging on a lot of dry hard facts and child actors out of which one could not even speak. No drama no dances in he regular sense no songs no melodrama and so on. Their target audience is NOT the run-of-the-mill types. They know it, they knew it and so do we. It is mostly for people who would look for an intelligently executed and crafted story. And if we find the show losing its grip as conscious and committed audiences it is our duty and our fundamental right to express our displeasure or anguish. No blackmails here just constructive criticism before we lose interest completely in the serial. One would no have scope to do that with emotionally highstrung serials and lovestories such as PR which abound some a shade better than the others armed with a storyline a climax twists turns and a happy end. There is nothing complicated about these. And the audience also reacts emotionally or at the gut level. With AKA that possibility does not exist. We have been fed on realism or as close as it can get to realism. And that's what attracted us to it in the first place apart from of course the main subject and vocation of the serial makers. So pls do understand the outbursts and do not compare it with other serials. And I am quite positive that TRPs are not the one and only concerne of the makers of this show.

I agree and disagree Padma. I agree that as viewers we have every right to express ourselves wherever or whoever we are. And if we are able to give constructive criticism its even better. But we certainly cant bring about a significant change in their plans. You maybe also right about the makers not really caring for TRPs or atleast not as much as say Ekta Kapoor. But if I were in their place I couldnt ignore TRPs. Because afterall at the end of the day the channel is my paymaster. My paymaster will pay me only if he gets some benefit out of me. Here my paymaster is always keeping a hawk eye on TRPs as he needs good TRPs to sell ad spots for my show. In such a scenario can I ignore TRPs altogether?
Lets also understand viewership in India is highly fragmented. Most states have their own region specific channels. Hindi shows are mainly watched by people who are Hindi speaking themselves. In big cities working people and students now no longer have time to watch TV. Or atleast not the sob stories being played out on TV. Plus they have other avenues of entertainment like malls, cinemas, internet. Compared to educated people the number of rural, uneducated suckers are a lot more in India. So even whether we like it or not Hindi channels address this rural Hindi speaking mass for their TRPs. The makers have to make the show more interesting for this lot. Unfortunately the makers of AKA and CB are trying to grab the attention of the same set of audience. And its not such a bad thing if they do manage to grab the attention of this lot and create an awareness about autism among the rural audiences where awareness of such mental problems is sorely lacking.
Having said this I hope the show continues to maintain its realistic flavor. That was the USP of the show.