TOI: Leaps ruling small screen-KHTV

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Time machine is on a fast forward mode on the small screen. Suddenly the hero in your favourite soap with jet black hair comes back to you with a mop of salt and pepper hair. Leaps in television shows are back. After all the twists and turns, heavy dose of drama following actors quitting shows, TV soaps are now looking at new ways to divert audiences' mind and hold their attention on shows.

Leaps are generally used to take the story forward and break the monotony of the current track by introducing new faces and of course high voltage drama. Audiences now will get to see a six month leap inPavitra Rishta, five years leap in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, 10 or 15 years leap in Kya Huaa Tera Vaada and five years leap in Ek Veer Ki Ardaas — Veera.

Leap not only takes the story to a completely new level, it also introduces fresh face for the audience. Producer Rajan Shahi of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai says, "Leaps happen for different reasons. Sometimes it is done to give a fresh lease of life to the show and sometimes to develop new interest and curiosity in the show. Leaps are supposed to enhance the flavour of the show." The timing for the leap in a show is very important. Sukesh Motwani, fiction head of a renowned GEC says, "Sometimes leaps work and sometimes they don't. Everything depends on how the leap is executed and at what time.

In Pavitra Rishta, Sushant Singh Rajput (the lead actor who played Manav) left and Hiten took the show forward after the leap. There can be chances of a show losing its charm depending on which character is being replaced and how much does the new actor fit in the role. Leaps also give the show makers a chance to tell a new story in a new package in the same show." It is learnt that audiences mostly enjoy the drama and elements which come post the leap.

Not everyone endorses the idea of continuing in a storyline involving a leap. Actor Darshan Pandya of Kya Huaa Tera Vaada says, "My character is coming to an end and so I won't be seen in the show after the leap. I am not quite comfortable with leaps either."

Interestingly, sometimes leaps happen without planning too, but in some instances prior planning is done. Producer Yash Patnaik of Ek Veer Ki Ardaas —Veera says, "A two year old kid can't be telling the story for long. A leap was planned one year in advance only to take the story forward. It was important as in 5 days with just 30 minutes each day the entire story can't be narrated." Leap ya no leap, the telly story goes on to capture viewer's attention, for sure.

Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava?
A one year leap which saw Viraj (Karanvir Bohra) transform to a positive character, was followed by a dramatic twist resulting in sea changes in the script.

Parichay - Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka
With a nine year leap, the storyline moved forward and Abhay Diwan ( Mahesh Shetty) was introduced as Siddhi's (Keerti Nagpure) husband.

Balika Vadhu - Kacchi Umar Ke Pakke Rishte
A three year leap saw Jagya (Shashank Vyas) going to Mumbai for studies and falling in love with Gauri (Anjum Farooki) to get married later followed by dramatic turns.

Uttaran
An 18 year leap that not only witnessed ripples in the script, but also an after effect with actorsNandish Sandhu and Rashami Desai playing the leads quitting the show.

Bade Achche Laggte Hai
A five years leap with key characters Rajat Kapur (Samir Kochhar) and Peehu (Amrita Mukherjee) being introduced in the show — a track that churned more TRPs for the show.