This information is from a newspaper from Bangladesh - I think it also makes sense in the Indian context.
What do people think of TV serials
By Marufa Hoque
Tue, 4 Oct 2005, 10:31:00
TV serials are considered stimulating the audience in these days both on the Hindi and the Bengali cannels to the field of simple recreation. The TV channels spend a lot of time in telecasting the serials (mini, mega and weekly) purely for commercial purposes as the viewers are introduced with the newly marketed products. But for the serials becoming too long, the viewers have been gradually losing interest and being inclined to one episode drama. The TV connoisseurs look for both story and amusement oriented drama and a change therein to escape monotony. Perhaps, this is the reason that the TV authorities have included the audience into the programmes like Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul, Saregama Pa Challenge, Close up 1, Lux Channel I and ATN Tarakar Sandhane to bring new dimension.
The subject matter of the stories of the Hindi mega serials are like plastic surgery. The actors and the actresses often lose their memory, fall in extra marital love, play double role and engage in unnatural events having no connection to the real life. As for the Bengali mega serials, there are, however, few impractical matter but those are not so acute.
In Bangladeshi channels, there are lot of one episode dramas and mega serials some of which have earned huge popularity. Among these were Aishab Din Ratri (All these days and nights), Dhakai Thaki (We live in Dhaka) and Kothao Keo Nai (None is nowhere). Hardly the viewers missed any episode. But nowadays, very few have created impressions. Of late, Shaowla did really a good job projecting the emptiness of the ultra left movement in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India with the slogan 'Kill the class enemies'. The serial ended in time with a good intention. But now there are huge serials on four channels being acted by the same artists which make viewers tedious and they begin losing their interest in the serials.
A regular viewer of TV serials Munira, a house wife, said " I was a regular viewer of Hindi serials but after some time I lost ambition to watch those serials because the stories of these serials are spoiling our young generation. Now I have turned to the Bangladeshi serials as the stories reflect part of our life."
A college going girl on condition of anonymity said that she liked to enjoy the Hindi serials because of their glamorous presentation.
Anisa, a service holder, said, "I want to see the reflection of our life in our serials but I am disappointed. Yet, I think there will be improvement in the coming days."
University student Rita said, "Some of the mega serials viz Bela Bhumi, Jhut Jhamela, Shukh Nagar Apartment, 69, Kahina Kahito Hoga, Karina Karina, Jassi Jassi Koey Nehi and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki have created a large crowd for their glamorous presentation and good acting. But we feel that serials with historical and educational background like 'Titumirer Basher Kella' should be made more and more to steer the younger generation to know our rich tradition and striving for truth."
House wife Rabeya Khatoon (not real name) opined that the government should formulate certain policies as to the real object of the serials. "Under no circumstances, the story-writers, producers and directors could do anything that counters the ethics and morality we uphold," she concluded.