TOI: Only pomp, no show - Chhal

It's the marketing strategy that lays the foundation for a show before it hits the tube. A good marketing strategy includes some catchy promos and builds curiosity around a show to set a perfect stage for it while a not-so-well-planned strategy can often lead a strong concept run into choppy waters.

But then there are examples in abundance where shows are launched amid great pomp and fanfare but the end product fails to meet the viewers expectations resulting in low television rating points (TRPs). Some of the shows in recent months that did show great promise initially but are yet to make it big are...
Chhal - Shah Aur Maat The show, in an attempt to create and unfold mysteries, is only getting caught in its own web. Though launched amidst great fanfare and tall claims with the director duo of Abbas-Mustan (who have directed popular thriller movies) applauding the step taken by the channel, Chhal has lost its grip on the viewers, who feel that the story is dragging slow with a relatively new cast. The show opened with a rating of 2 but has now dipped to 1.5, quite low for a primetime slot.

Kairi Certainly the promos were catchy and the saas Imarti Devi struck a chord with the viewers instantly. But the story, viewers feel, is not up to the mark and is like any other run-of-the-mill shows with a saas being the matriarch of the family calling the shots. Of course, some also feel that the serial has the potential but the time slot doesn't support it. It faces stiff competition from an already successful and established show, Saathiya. The show that opened with a rating of 1.3 has clocked a TRP of 1 as compared to 1.2 last week.

Shubh Vivaah This serial boasted of some prominent names of the television industry like Eijaz Khan and Aashka Goradia. Both have had a long haul in their previous innings but they have failed miserably to pull in viewers. The production quality is simply mediocre and so is the lead actress Neha Janpandit while Aashka Goradia overpowers all and sundry. Viewers also feel that what could have been a powerful story, lacks the punch. Its current rating is 0.5.

Kya Huaa Tera Vaada KHTV marks the return of Jassi ( Mona Singh) to the fiction genre. In an attempt to break out of the set image of Jassi, Mona has lost the connect with daily soap viewers. Also, many feel that Pawan Shankar isn't a great pick to play the male lead. Diksha Mehta, an ardent TV soap viewer says, "KHTW is the televised version of the film Gharwali Baharwali, which we saw 10 years ago. Why would one want to see the TV version of the same thing with television actors?" The current TRP of this primetime show is 2.1.

Sajda Tere Pyaar Mein The show, that currently has a 1.5 TRP, the lowest on the channel, is about Aaliya and Ranveer, an ATB (Anti-Terrorism Bureau) agent. What lacks punch is the way the show has been packaged. Often after a long day, people want to relax and retire to a light-hearted family drama unlike this show which is too hard-hitting and serious. Even the usage of Urdu is too explicit and not many are exposed to the language. The girl and the boy remind you of Preity Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan in Veer Zara, something that's fit for cinema.

Afsar Bitiya Many feel that the show has the potential but suffers mainly because of its time slot. Also, some feel that it's too much of suffering, just a degree less or more in every show. How much suffering would one want to watch on a TV soap considering we have it enough in our lives. The current TRP of the show is 1.2

Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangann Hoga This one is decent on production quality and the channel is promoting it with all their might and power. But JSKAH is yet to deliver the expected numbers. It clocks an average rating of 0.3. It's probably the concept of a ghar-jamai that hasn't gone down well with the audience. Which Indian viewer with strong desi ideologies will take fancy to such a show?

Aasmaan Se Aage Despite its novel concept delving into the reality behind reality shows, the show has failed to generate good ratings. It can partly be attributed to the fact that it airs on a relatively new channel. The show registered a TRP of 0.6 last week.

I Love My India This show features veteran actors like Arun Bali and Himani Shivpuri. But barely three months since its inception, the show, which tries to whip up patriotism with comedy, is all set to bid adieu owing to its poor ratings, last week being 0.3. ILMI will breathe its last on June 1, 2012.!