TOI: Content takes over primetime-ArHi

Onscreen chemistry between a lead couple on a TV show is a must. Agree? However, the telly equations are surely tilting towards newer definitions, with content taking over the prime time.

So, now you see a powerfully woven story taking over the chemistry factor. We have had seen it all in the past, how the chemistry between a lead couple helped a show win audience's hearts. Mihir and Tulsi in Kyunkii...Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi or Maan and Geet in Geet...Hui Sabse Parayi or Arnav and Khushi from Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?

Now, that thing has become a passe. Picture this, Sooraj (Anas Rashid) and Sandhya (Deepika Singh) in Diya Aur Baati Hum, Zoya (Surbhi Jyoti) and Asad (Karan Singh Grover) in Qubool Hai, RK (Vivian D'Sena) and Madhubala ( Drashti Dhami) in Madhubala...Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Anandi ( Toral Rasputra) and Shiv ( Siddharth Shukla) inBalika Vadhu or Raj (Karan V Grover) Sarita (Srishty Rode) in Punar Vivah - Ek Nayi Umeed " although all these pairs are highly popular within audiences but, the show popularity is backed by a well written and very well crafted execution.
Of late, it is the dramatic twists in the tales that is working for these shows and is garnering them more TVTs. Producer Sudhir Sharma says, "It is content that makes or breaks a show. Indeed good cast and lead couple's chemistry are key factors for any show to garner audiences, like how the onscreen chemistry between Sanaya Irani and Barun Sobti impacted Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? At the same time, new faces get a better mileage owing to a great storyline and powerful content. Despite a strong lead cast, some shows failed to grab eyeballs in recent times too due to weak content."

Many in the industry feel, it's ultimately good content that sparks off the onscreen chemistry between the lead couple. Producer Asit Kumarr Modi shares, "If content fails, the chemistry of lead couple is going to take a show nowhere. So, any day producers and directors will focus on a better story-line. Despite the lead couple's sizzling onscreen chemistry in some shows, ratings experienced a dip because of weaker tracks. The same applies to my show also."

Agrees actress Adaa Khan, who says, "Content of a show is most important for its popularity than it was before. Actors' chemistry is an add on and it's the camera's perspective and the director's vision that makes a lead couple strike a chord and look good on screen."
Actor Jay Soni says, "Like in films where just one scene or one good song doesn't make a film a big hit, a TV show can't click with just the help of a good screen chemistry. The storyline has to be up to the mark. How a story flows and the character sketch has to have a balance and be in sync."

With lead replacements becoming too frequent these days, the focus has shifted more towards how a story is shaping up, leading to a diverse set of stories and genres being explored by the TV fraternity.