Every issue needs a closure!

Namaste,

As a television viewer from ages, the first thing that struck about the show was resemblance (in storyline) to the Star Plus show: Saans starring Neena Gupta, Kanwaljeet Singh.

Another similarity is the acting in both shows. They did and have done more than well in their given roles.

One can't help but compare the two considering the difference in treatment. The maturity of characters, delicate handling of fine lines and a realistic, fair narrative was the highlight of "Saans" and one must admit, it was far ahead of its times.

Well times have changed and so has the treatment.

Cut to Anupama:

Anupama's character is the ALL consuming, ideal women who can't put a foot wrong and has a penchant for long lectures. Blame it on the writing, I guess.

Kavya's character is defined as the typical selfish other woman

Come to think of it. She loved Vanraj and was ready to give up everything in love. She was firm on her decision to marry her love and questioned the underlying hypocrisy in the Shah family. The questions she raised in her outburst were ALL but valid. Also, her assessment of Vanraj's new found passion and his real intentions were bang on.

Both these women loved a man who only loved himself.

Vanraj, a self-centred, power hungry, man with one positive quality that he is dedicated to his parents. Vanraj is shown as having escapist tendencies. Not wanting to take responsibility of any of his actions.

Current track:

1. The entire blame of a fallen relation was conveniently put on Kavya alone. She has gained sympathy but not apology and Vanraj continues to rule. Kavya on the other hand has to hear from the younger members of the family (Samar, Pakhi, Paritosh and Kinjal included), the same ppl who give lectures on respect for elders.

2. One cannot comprehend the reason behind Malavika's anger or taunting Kavya and calling her names while the family members don't say a word. I mean who is she to be saying anything?

Her decision to stay with the Shah family? How is Anupama taking decisions on behalf of the Shah family or Malavika?

3. Déjà vu moments at the Shah's and people justifying it. It is said, "Doodh ka jala chaas bhi phookh phookh kar peeta hain". So there was a mistake that happened. If a similar situation were to occur would you repeat the mistake or take precautionary or corrective actions?

Samar calling it as "apna kiya yahi bhughatna padta hain" is utter nonsense and deserving of a nice hearing. If he knew that Anupama was mistreated in ALL these years, what did he or other family members do to correct them? Now blaming a third person holds no water.

4. Is Samar's character of the righteous son, slowly fading? He did not think twice before giving an ultimatum to Nandin on their relationship. Yes, he has not accepted Kavya-Vanraj's relationship. But he has no business in the matter. The least he can do is be cordial with them. When he can do so with Vanraj, why not with Kavya?

Finally, the show has wonderful actors but could easily do with much less drama, better, air tight, compact writing and less exaggerations amd closer to reality.

I don't recall saans that well but agree.. this serial is having way too much over dramatization as they call kaand aka Oxygen.. I find it too exhausting and emotionally draining at times but there are folks who are obsessed too and thrive on this kaand oxygen infact get high too at times.

Saans looked at EMA and the difficulties a single mom with 2 teenage kids faces. I do remember the stellar performances. If we try to compare serials made by DD and during the nascent years of satelite TV to today's we will see that the industry has grown leaps and bounds.

The viewing trends, the social media and the PH play big roles. The finite series seem to have a tighter storyline while those running for decades become 2 celebrations a month with Bollywood number based dance and an ensemble cast.

The character arc and narrative arc need to be modified to suit the availability of cast and trends in viewership.

With OTT becoming a hit movie viewing has changed so also with the plethora of sops from around the world.

FL are expected to give regular baashans. Archetypes are to be adhered to and in that the message by way of storyline embedded

The serial named after the FL essays her journey. They come with exaggerated plot lines and bizarre events and lines yet it is a watchable show with some well crafted tracks and amazing performances

It needs two to tango yet in Vanya one seems to thrive and the other goes untainted.

A character like Manisha in a 2022 show would be treated differently from the way one set in 1994/95.

Khandaan, YHZ, Nukkad Or Fauji were hits in their era. .. Anupama in this ... There has been a paradigm shift.

Although they are different viewpoints, agree to you both.

There are some key points here:

1. Finite series v/s infinite series

2. Commercials/finances

3. Viewing pattern

4. Audience maturity over time

A channel would have about 8 (arbitrary number, could vary) shows which are repeated covering 24 hours and global time zones.

Let us try to comprehend:

1.) When did the trend of timeless (infinite series) daily soaps start?

2.) What drove this change?

I agree the reason shows such as Saans, Kora Kaagaz, Saara Akash worked because they were finite series, stuck to the plot and had a logical conclusion.

In terms of audience maturity, i have a slightly different opinion. The audience is not tested enough to give author-backed content. It is the same audience that accepted subjects such as: a woman walking out of a troubled marriage, single parenting, etc. and gave a fair, unbiased viewpoint unlike today where there is a need to paint every character as black or white. Subtlety has given way to high decibel, high voltage drama. This certainly cannot be attributed to changing times, can it?

The change in viewing pattern with the advent of OTT, is a testimony of it.

I understand that the stakes of creating, making and running such shows is a huge commercial risk and the stakes have inflated with time.

It is like a chicken-n-egg situation. Does the audience control what is shown or the audience is served with?

The attention span of viewers has changed considerably. I used to joke a decade ago that I can watch some Tamizh Soaps once a fortnight and still understand the plot. Today it is not so. Maybe too many episodes and too many channels vie for our attention. It is a chicken egg scenario maybe but I doubt if our audience can watch a series every monday and look forward the way we did. Though I must say english sops like this is us have been able to run on finite mode. We miss Anupama on Sundays. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Originally posted by: moonwearer

The attention span of viewers has changed considerably. I used to joke a decade ago that I can watch some Tamizh Soaps once a fortnight and still understand the plot. Today it is not so. Maybe too many episodes and too many channels vie for our attention. It is a chicken egg scenario maybe but I doubt if our audience can watch a series every monday and look forward the way we did. Though I must say english sops like this is us have been able to run on finite mode. We miss Anupama on Sundays. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Isn't this trend also manmade just like the need for so many things is generated.

We haven't tried otherwise like bi-weekly, weekly shows or finite series daily shows.

Infact, come to think of it, they are more commercially viable.

There are a number of Regional shows (Kannada, Tamizh) stand examples.