KAA article

If the ratings bear out this hypothesis, then we are destined to be burdened with new shows like Zee's Dulhann - Kya Vidya ki Maang Bhar Kar Bhi Sunee Rahegi? (Despite being married, will Vidya lead an unmarried life?) and Star Plus' Karam Apna Apna - Milega wohi, jo likha hai haath ki lakeeron mein (One is driven by the destiny and gets what is there in his/her destiny).

Those tag lines say it all. And both these shows, just a week and two weeks old respectively, are as soppy as they come. We have been promised that both protagonists will emerge stronger from their travails, but both soaps started on familiar territory - engagement to a supposed Prince Charming, the blushing anticipation of the demure bride-to-be, and her cowering reverence of elders that endears her to all and sundry. Yawn!

Give me the brattish Aanya of Jab Love Hua any day instead! At least, she is human enough to own up to her fiancee that she's just realised what true love is and is willing to sacrifice all her luxuries for it. Aanya this week took off for the village "Devli Nadi Ke Teer" in search of Raghu, dishevelled and frumpy, but your heart still goes out to her honesty!

Quite unlike the saccharine dripping heroines of Dulhann and Karam…, who are middle class girls but perfectly turned out, and drop their lashes bashfully every time someone speaks to them! The Varanasi and Kolkata ambiences created for both shows does nothing to dispel the bitter taste the heroines evoke.

Which is why, both Resham Dankh (Star One) and Thodi Si Zameen, Thoda sa Aasman (Star Plus) deserve a pat on the back. This is programming that exudes the passion and zeal that has gone into its making. This is story telling that will stand the test of time, even if not the TRPs.