Reincarnation time for soaps ARTICLE

Not long ago, a generation leap was the most convenient ploy used by channels to infuse life in never-ending daily family sagas. Now channels seem to be resorting to reincarnation theme to carry forward stories. About six months ago, Kaajal went through the reincarnation process by getting rid of its lead pair in an accident. This week in Banoo Main Teri Dulhan, Vidya and Sagar were bumped off by Sagar's sister Sindoora. In Kumkum too, Sumeet and Kumkum will be killed by the latter's obsessive lover Pulkit next week.

However, unlike in Kaajal, where a new pair of actors were introduced in lead roles post-reincarnation, both Dulhan and Kumkum will make do with their present lead actors. Is the reincarnation angle the new trend channels are banking on to give fresh lease of life to their shows. Reincarnation theme didn't work for Kaajal, will it work for Dulhan and Kumkum? "It's a show-specific call we have taken rather than looking at it as a new trend in story-telling," says Zee's creative head Pearl Shahi. "After the reincarnation Vidya and Sagar will have new identities. But the faces will be same. Vidya and Sagar were never shown falling in love and we are creating a new story for the young lovers," she adds.

According to Star India's senior creative director Anupama Mandoloi, "The reincarnation plot is a means of providing a refreshing twist to the narrative and this plot gives us an opportunity to bring Sumeet and Kumkum in a younger avatar," she says. Rajesh Chaddha, BAG Film's senior vice president that produces Kumkum, says every two to three months the show gets a new track. "Kumkum has been a star performer on Star's afternoon band and we hope to get even better ratings post-reincarnation where Juhi and Hussain will play young lovers," he says.

According to Rajesh, the love story was getting sidelined because of other tracks and characters. "Also the entertainment market is changing and therefore the style of programming had to change," he explains. But what failed for Kaajal will work for Dulhan and Kumkumk? "It's a calculated risk we are taking," admits Pearl. However, Pearl is confident that reincarnation will work for Dulhan because the key elements that created a connect with viewers have been retained. "The story has not ended. We have left a hook in the story and the new characters will take it further," says Pearl.

Anupama is of the view that one failure cannot be the benchmark just as one success cannot be the benchmark for future performance. "The reincarnation theme will work because the viewers have always enjoyed the romance between Kumkum and Sumeet," affirms Anupama.

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