Why is she crying again, you may wonder... but Mary Sue* of Indian television shedding uncountable tears is the sure shot formula of any Hindi serial to increase TRP rating and get back into business from diminishing popularity. Agree? A few tears shed by ladli bahu or female lead of the show and all the audience is ceremoniously glued back to the screen, some reveling in the pity they feel for their favorite character and others happily furious with the evil queen... whatever may be the reason, those limitless droplets are precious for every serial maker to achieve high TRP.
Every other daily soap on television today is of the same genre of saas-bahu drama. The only difference is the actors and producers. Otherwise right from the characters' make-up, clothing, jewellery to the plot and dialogues in the shows are so identical that sometimes we get confused as to which show we might be watching. People may wonder what that brace is which makes people stick to these shows and turn them into big hits. The USP of every such serial is none other than our gullible, powerless yet talented, extraordinary and loving bahu who is always victimized by kitchen politics. And every time she is troubled, her talent is reduced only to dropping those valuable tears without ruining her make-up. And if anyone thinks this may bore the audience and they will turn away from such serials, then "Excuse me!" you are entirely wrong. Here is the main hook. The crying and vulnerable protagonist is more than a written assurance to make viewers, especially ladies, sympathetic and stay stuck to the show forever. So the latest high funda of television industry is "Tears Shed is TRP Gained".
Take Gopi bahu of popular serial Saath Nibhaana Saathiya on Star Plus for instance. Since the serial started back in 2010, Gopi who is too innocent and polite, has been troubled by her cousin Rashi and aunt Urmila. The poor sweet girl that she is, she is helpless before them and resorts to shedding tears every now and then. Even after four years, nothing much has changed except the story has taken a leap of eight years. But surprisingly Saath Nibhaana Saathiya' is ahead of many other shows in the race for TRP and the credit for this must undoubtedly be given to Gopi's endurance.
From Shivani of Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se' to the latest hit Paro of Rangrasiya', the story is the same. Actresses' pain and woe are wisely and incessantly used to create commiseration, empathy in the viewers' heart, leading to higher viewership and glorious TRP. Another popular character, Meethi of the six-year old show Uttaran on Colors is portrayed as the epitome of forbearance. After her mother Ichha suffered through her entire life, Meethi's life too is always rocky. In the period of six years, there might not be a single episode where the mother-daughter duo has not shed any tears. This must be the secret of the show's success.
Forget about these fictional dramas. Even historical characters like Jodhabai are not spared from the Tears Shed is TRP Gained strategy. Being a queen from history also did not arm her against this popularity gaining trick.
The tears tack works as a labyrinth for sensitive audiences. Once they enter the emotional maze created by serial makers it becomes difficult to exit it as with every episode their soft spot is touched by the surged emotions of these Mary Sues. The empty of content long running shows confirm that Tears Shed is TRP Gained is an all time hit strategy.
*Mary Sue: A female fan fiction character who is so perfect, she is annoying.
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