TOI: Soapbox's new screen jodis-Ritvik

In the almost picture-perfect dramatic world of prime time dailies, nothing works better than a scorching telly couple who burn up the screen with their chemistry, which in turn translates into TRPs and garners devoted viewers.

For most showmakers, finding the reel jodi who can create sparks simply by sharing the same frame is half the battle won. The other half (of the battle) is taken care of with the help of the usual situations you'd find in a soap — The Clashof ego between the two leads interspersed with intense eyelock sessions, flying duppattas and the stumbling heroine inevitably landing in the waiting arms of the hero, may be followed by a quickie marriage and weeks and months of the protagonists finding love.

In order to keep the fickle audiences rivetted to the telly, production houses meticulously arrange 'look' tests before they finally rope in the leads in a show.

While there are no set formulas to capture the attention of a remote-happy generation, producers have always banked heavily on the star power of the screen jodis who can make audiences' hearts beat faster. Wowing the soapbox with their sizzling screen chemistry are Barun Sobti-Sanaya Irani (Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?), Ram Kapoor-Sakshi Tanwar (Bade Achche Laggte Hai), Kushal Tandon-Nia Sharma (Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai), Rithvik Dhanjani-Asha Negi (Pavitra Rishta), Gurmeet Choudhary-Kratika Sengar (Punar Vivaah),Siddharth Shukla-Pratyusha Banerjee (Balika Vadhu), Anas Rashid-Deepika Singh (Diya Aur Baati Hum) and Harshad Chopra-Sriti Jha (Dil Se Di Dua...Saubhagyavati Bhav?).

So what is it about these jodis that keeps the audience glued to their television screens? Producer Sudhir Sharma says, "Most shows are love stories on television. So the on screen chemistry between the lead couple is important, not just for storytelling but also because they boost TRPs." Producer Shashi Mittal agrees, "Some screen jodis click immediately with the audiences. That is how a perfect love story makes its mark. When there's sizzling chemistry between two actors and it shows on screen, then you have a winner in your hands." Of course, screen chemistry is directly proportional to the real equation between the co-stars. Says Rithvik Dhanjani, "It is important to have a good equation with your co-star and know them well, so that the love scenes look more real on camera." Barun Sobti quips, "the chemistry between Arnav-Khushi is all thanks to the writer and producer because we are acting out what he wrote for us." He's also quick to point out that "good equation between a lead pair is a plus for any show."

But can a Daily Show hinge purely on the lead actors' scorching screen equation? What about mundane, but more important things like storyline, script, character actors? How much screen romance can the audience watch anyway in a 22-minute episode aired everyday? Any show needs other elements to keep the interest alive. Sudhir says, "The lead couple and their chemistry are important, but other characters are also necessary to make a complete story. Each character has his/her own identity."
Well, having a strikingly goodlooking lead couple who strikes a dil se connect with audiences is a sureshot way of ensuring a TRP-happy show, because numbers do matter and if some tailor-made screen vibes can whip up fan frenzy, then no one's complaining yet!