Sizzling chemistry between a lead couple of a TV soap might leave a certain segment of viewers weak-kneed, but romance isn't enough to sustain a show or give it a longer lifespan and the required TRPs.
A few years back romance used to be the flavour on the small screen when shows like Love Story, Dill Mill Gayye, Geet Hui Sabse Parayi, Miley Jab Hum Tum, Kis Des Mein Hai Mera Dil, Pyaar Kii Yeh Ek Kahani et al had audiences glued to their screens, but of late the viewing patterns of soap-buffs seem to have undergone a not so subtle change.
In the last three-four months a number daily soaps (like Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Main Na Bhoolungi, Do Dil Ek Jaan, Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se) which banked heavily on their love tracks and the scorching romantic vibes between the reel couple, notched not so impressive TRPs and had to be unceremoniously pulled off air to make space for fictional shows of a different genre. The writing on the soapy sphere is clear: it's content that's more important than the telly jodi's picture-perfect presence in a show. Prashant Bhatt, programming head, fiction, of a Hindi GEC, says, "Today's generation believes ki sirf pyaar pe zindagi nahi chal sakti. The era of eternal love does not exist any more, so somewhere there is a disconnect with the young audience when it comes to love stories. Today's generation is very practical, so they understand the compromises, responsibilities and sacrifices that come with love. If we now show an out and out love story, it is sometimes surreal. Films can have such love stories because they have a 120 minute duration, a soap needs more dramatic masala than romantic cliches to survive for a longer period."
Even if a show based on a love story goes on air, it has to be supported by a strong family drama in the background, which eventually can take forefront. Romantic shows like Rangrasiya, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya and Beintehaan have seen leaps, entry of new characters and a strong family story to ensure they have a more enduring presence on their respective broadcaster. Producer Rajan Shahi says, "A love story in itself can never work well in a daily soap format. When mixed with some family drama, the show gets longevity and the right audience. A show can be marketed as a love story and the lead couple can be marketed accordingly, but a show will always need something extra to make it a complete show and get the correct numbers." Actor Ravi Dubey, currently the lead of Jamai Raja, adds, "A love story clicks with the audience, but it needs to have something more to sustain it. How much will audiences see two people romancing each other? There has to be other family members involved in their lives, some obstacles to their romance and villains. The love story can be the crux but the show needs a back story too."
GECs too demand for a complete family package to grab more eyeballs. Shahi adds, "We had been playing up a romantic track along with other characters and some drama in one of my shows and it was doing pretty well. Then the channel asked up to focus purely on the couple. But having every second scene on the leads did not work with the audiences and the numbers fell drastically." Seems like the era of mush has just taken a temporary backseat and for the time being telly viewers want their daily dose of heavy-duty family melodrama on the prime time band on Hindi GECs. And like they say on TV, a a show is as good as the TRPs it gets.
