PRERNA SHAH Times News Network
The large, rumbling North Indian family that used to be the staple diet of Indian television has got used to the fact that the Gujarati baas, behens and bhais have in true Gujarati business acumen taken over the telly. And that, even a Kannadiga living in Bangalore would know that khandvi is a delicious
farsaan
preparation that some Gujaratis have for breakfast, and that a Gujarati breaks into a song and dance jig for nine days in a year when it comes to the famed Navratri. Truly, television has had a big role to play in building up brand Gujarat, so much so that it should officially take over the Gujarat Board of Tourism and Marketing. No one could have predicted that when Ekta Kapoor introduced Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2000, a soap opera that revolved around a fictitious Gujarati joint family, the popularity of a Balaji soap would bring into limelight, never to fade again the fascination of producers, directors and audiences with the Gujarati family.
Some mind wrapping TRPs ensured that the success was repeated with various other serials (from different production houses). Every producer worth his salt knows that Gujarat is a huge market and it can only be ignored at considerable risk!
If Smriti Irani became an industry in herself, Supriya Pathak stole hearts with her depiction of Hansa Parekh in Instant Khichdi. Honestly, it made life easier for a lot of Gujaratis. After Kyunki..., Instant Khichdi, Sarabhai V/S Sarabhai and a whole new slew of Gujarat centric programmes like Baa Bahoo Aur Baby and Teen Bahuraniyaan, made being a Gujarati cool.
Everyone looks at you with renewed respect. Conversations with a stranger on a train speeding in the heartland of Bihar have become so spontaneous.
The moment you say you are a Parekh, Shah, Bhatt et al, strangers become friends. One needn't explain what one does for a living. It is "bizness", of course. Simple! Who lives with us? Baa, dada, motabhai, motabhabhi and a horde of other relatives.
What does one have for breakfast? Dholka, thepla or khandvi. Guests expect these delicacies when they come home. Even strangers on a bus expect a miracle to come out of the tiffin box!
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Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
