Saas-bahu soap sagas have lost fizz, indi

Saas-bahu soap sagas have lost fizz, indicate low TRPs

Televisionpoint.com Team
The much-revered Saas-Bahu soaps are fast losing the grip on Indian households. Or so it seems. With their television rating points (TRP's) consistently declining in the last few months, it seems to be time to move on and look out for fresh ideas with saner, practical and contemporary themes.

The falling TRP's of popular Hindi serials corroborate the viewer's waning interest in the Saas-Bahu sagas. According to AC Nielsen's TAM ratings in cable and satellite homes, Kasautii Zindagii Kay registered 12.1 points during the week 31 October-06 November 2004, and declined to 6.8 points during the June 12-18, 2005 week. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi's (Kyunki...) TRP's fell from 13.5 points during the week October 10-16, 2004, to 9.2 TRP's during the May 29-June 04, 2005 week.

Kkusum's ratings dipped from 4.0 points during the week June 06-12, 2004, to 2.4 points during June 18-24, 2005 week. Most believe that the overdose of melodramatic content with similar plots and characters are to be held responsible for the huge slump in viewership.

Says Rajeev Khandelwal, who once played Sujal in Kahiin To Hoga, "The falling TRP's reflect that the audiences have started looking beyond Saas-Bahu's Anything stretched beyond a limit finally breaks."

"These serials have also reached the same point. It's hard to relate with a woman who is married five times but still remains 21." Affirms Ashwini Yardi, programming head, Zee TV, "Viewers are looking for a change. They always welcome the fresh and novel ideas. Plus, one needs to offer a variety of choices to keep the viewers hooked," Yardi says.

"These serials are very depressing and have nothing new to offer. People are looking for intelligent and smart themes. According to me, these soaps have passed their prime," quips Shweta Kawatra, who played Pallavi in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii.

Move over kitchen politics, Saas-Bahu spats and scheming vamps to make way for a new brand of serials on the small screen which deals with more spunkier, real and identifiable themes.

Most of the new shows, like Paalkhi, Kaashish, Saarkkar, Millee, Time Bomb and yet to be launched Rabba Ishq Na Hove, featuring Sangeeta Ghosh and Varun Badola, deals with themes ranging from steamy romance to infidelity to global terrorism but steer clear of Saas-Bahu melodramas.

People are sick of seeing negative female characters in every second serial, says Kaashish director Ravi Rai who has also made Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai and Sparsh in the past, "They (Saas-Bahu soaps) have ruled the small screen for a considerable period. It's high time the writers and producers of these serials sit back and revise their plots," he retorts.

Nausheen Sardar Ali, who played Kkusum, earlier, agrees, "The younger generation wants lighter and entertaining stuff. The makers of these serials must give it a thought as today's viewers have increased choices available with them to choose from."

However, there are some who put up the brave front and disagree that Saas-Bahu serials have lost their Midas touch and grip over television viewers.

Says Shweta Tiwari a.k.a. Prerna of Kasautii Zindagii Kay, "They just need to offer a new bend and twist to keep their viewership intact. I don't think their craze will ever fade."

Achint Kaur or Mandira of Kyunki or Pallavi of Kahaani shares the opinion, "I feel the falling TRP's are a seasonal thing."

Smriti Iraani a.k.a. Tulsi of Kyunki... adds, "The popularity and craze of Saas-Bahu serials is unmatched as they have been ruling the charts for five years now."

Whatever be the case, a new look at the things only signals a whole new day for the Indian television industry Kyunki things are in for a change.