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If it ain't broke, don't fix it. This adage is neither popular nor advisable on television where a constant can hinder a show's growth. A successful show is often one that keeps its viewer intrigued with the story. When the initial plot doesn't work, then drastic changes are required to create a shock value that invariably attracts more viewers. However, when you're ruling the roost, a drastic change might affect the show in the long run. That's precisely what is happening to Zee TV and Balaji Telefilms' show 'Pavitra Rishta' which has fallen from the top spot to number 17, all in a matter of a week.
This drop is due to a combination of rival shows doing well, but the divorce between Manav and Archana, and the subsequent track wherein Manav agrees to marry his brother's widow Shravani, hasn't amused TellyCafe readers a wee bit.
TellyCafe readers have been expressing their disappointment right since the day Manav divorced Archana. Following are some of the comments we have received.
Vastvik: They don't understand one simple thing. That day TVR was high because people anticipated that they will not go through divorce but now Ekta has spill[ed] water on their hopes. The subsequent TVR will slide and they will regret their decision to go with the divorce track.
Riddhima: That 7.6 TRP was expected after they infused so much money and time to promote the divorce. No one expected it to happen but now that they are divorced we are no longer interested in Manav crying and Shravani trying to get close to him much less their marriage. Zee No.1 show is slowing becoming a flop just like 'Chhoti Bahu'.
Yesterday, we'd carried a report on Manav agreeing to marry Shravani. Below are a few comments that we received for the story.
Tanya: This is crazy, they are totally ruining this show. I was happy yesterday that Shravani had left and everyone was talking sense and now looks like it is back to square one. The ratings are down, they will go down even more if Manav is shown as such a heartless and a pathetic human being.
Johanne: I believe it's already too late to resuscitate it; people have been leaving steadily since last December. This cancer is generalized without any possible rate of survival. Mark my words, people will not care anymore... now more energy should be put in replying anymore than this.
Anu: Well the final nail in the coffin! Yesterday everything looked so good and we were so looking forward to Shravani-free days. Now this! One wonders why Shravani is so important to Ekta that she is willing to destroy her own serial which was also the number one serial on Indian TV! Well Ekta ma'am if you don't care about audience opinion, then audience have their own way of giving it back to you (read TRP). My sympathy for Sushant and Ankita who have to enact this crap!
It's quite evident that viewers' anger is now being reflected in the TRPs. Fathom this, the divorce episode on May 31, earned the show a TVR of 7.6. 'Pavitra Rishta' was the number one show even before this track. The subsequent episodes too generated average TVR of 5.5 until the tables turned in the last TAM week. Rival 'Bidaai' toppled 'Pavitra Rishta' with a TVR of 7.2. The latter got only got 4.8 TVR and dropped to number 17. After yesterday's episode, this slide might well continue.
So, has 'Pavitra Rishta' shot itself in the foot?
An actor requesting anonymity said, "Personally I may not agree with the divorce track, but if Archana and Manav weren't separated, then the next track wouldn't have culminated. Manav might get married to Shravani but that doesn't mean that he won't be meeting Archana again. 'Pavitra Rishta' won't be called Pavitra Rishta if Manav and Archana separate forever."
This drop is due to a combination of rival shows doing well, but the divorce between Manav and Archana, and the subsequent track wherein Manav agrees to marry his brother's widow Shravani, hasn't amused TellyCafe readers a wee bit.
TellyCafe readers have been expressing their disappointment right since the day Manav divorced Archana. Following are some of the comments we have received.
Vastvik: They don't understand one simple thing. That day TVR was high because people anticipated that they will not go through divorce but now Ekta has spill[ed] water on their hopes. The subsequent TVR will slide and they will regret their decision to go with the divorce track.
Riddhima: That 7.6 TRP was expected after they infused so much money and time to promote the divorce. No one expected it to happen but now that they are divorced we are no longer interested in Manav crying and Shravani trying to get close to him much less their marriage. Zee No.1 show is slowing becoming a flop just like 'Chhoti Bahu'.
Yesterday, we'd carried a report on Manav agreeing to marry Shravani. Below are a few comments that we received for the story.
Tanya: This is crazy, they are totally ruining this show. I was happy yesterday that Shravani had left and everyone was talking sense and now looks like it is back to square one. The ratings are down, they will go down even more if Manav is shown as such a heartless and a pathetic human being.
Johanne: I believe it's already too late to resuscitate it; people have been leaving steadily since last December. This cancer is generalized without any possible rate of survival. Mark my words, people will not care anymore... now more energy should be put in replying anymore than this.
Anu: Well the final nail in the coffin! Yesterday everything looked so good and we were so looking forward to Shravani-free days. Now this! One wonders why Shravani is so important to Ekta that she is willing to destroy her own serial which was also the number one serial on Indian TV! Well Ekta ma'am if you don't care about audience opinion, then audience have their own way of giving it back to you (read TRP). My sympathy for Sushant and Ankita who have to enact this crap!
It's quite evident that viewers' anger is now being reflected in the TRPs. Fathom this, the divorce episode on May 31, earned the show a TVR of 7.6. 'Pavitra Rishta' was the number one show even before this track. The subsequent episodes too generated average TVR of 5.5 until the tables turned in the last TAM week. Rival 'Bidaai' toppled 'Pavitra Rishta' with a TVR of 7.2. The latter got only got 4.8 TVR and dropped to number 17. After yesterday's episode, this slide might well continue.
So, has 'Pavitra Rishta' shot itself in the foot?
An actor requesting anonymity said, "Personally I may not agree with the divorce track, but if Archana and Manav weren't separated, then the next track wouldn't have culminated. Manav might get married to Shravani but that doesn't mean that he won't be meeting Archana again. 'Pavitra Rishta' won't be called Pavitra Rishta if Manav and Archana separate forever."
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