TOI: TV stars dun bank on TRPs

TV stars dont bank on TRPs

The popularity quotient of soapbox heartthrobs doesnt depend on the numbers their shows fetch in the TRP charts

Amrita Mulchandani


Small screen stardom is not directly proportional to the popularity of the prime time shows.Ram Kapoor,Ronit Roy,Sakshi Tanwar,Barun Sobti,Mona Singh,Vivian Dsena,Mohit Raina,Harshad Chopra,Gurmeet Choudhary,Karan Tacker,Sanaya Irani darling of the masses,favourite with advertisers enjoy enviable fan following and take home hefty pay cheques,but star in shows that are not among the top 10 TRP toppers in the strictest sense (Ram and Sakshi being the odd exceptions when on some weeks when their show climbs the ratings scale).While shows that are high on TRPs Diya Aur Baati Hum,Balika Vadhu - Kacchi Umar ke Pakke Rishte,Saath Nibhaana Saathiya,Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai,Sasural Simar Ka,Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah,CID,Crime Patrol: Dastak and Pavitra Rishta dont have stars in the lead roles.So are stars really required to amp up the TRPs,considering most channels /production houses want to sign them up for their screen offerings
No star comes with a guarantee that s/he will make a show successful.S o m e t i m e s the stories demand a k n ow n face,and stars are cast.The real star of the show is the content, says producer Sumeet Mittal of Punar Vivaah and Diya Aur Bati Hum,who feels show TRPs are not dictated by starry presence.

Show makers feel that good content and meaningful scripts make shows popular.Producer Rajan Shahi of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai says,There are certain actors whom we can define as TV stars because of their talent,charisma and connect with audiences.But just casting a star in a show does not mean they will fetch TRPs.Even newcomers can rake in TRPs if the storyline is strong.Content is the king. Producer Nikhil Sinha of the high TRP-puller Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev says,When it comes to television very rarely can a star carry a show on his/her shoulders,but a show with good storyline not only fetches TRPs,but also makes stars.
Vivian Dsena whose Madhubala - Ek
Ishq Ek Junoon isnt high on TRPs is
an established star.Says Vivian,I
am receiving good feedback from
my fans,but TRPs can go up only as a collective effort from the entire team. Actor Gurmeet Chowdhary of Punar Vivaah says,Its wrong to say that TRPs and stardom are not connected.TRPs make a star! A star has his/her own fan following and the audience will definitely watch their shows. Its evident that power-packed performances and solid storyline give soaps the necess a r y push and a heavy duty star cast is i n c i - d e n t a l.While TV superstars bring in viewers to a show and help generate hype,in the long run,numbers do matter because they dictate the survival of a show!