TOI: Nuclear families grab eyeballs on prime time TV

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For years the story of the Virani family (of Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu) got millions of viewers across the country hooked to night after night. No wonder then when Mihir (the young affable son of the family) was shown dead in an episode, the nation went into collective mourning. The production house was flooded with calls and viewers termed it as 'like losing a family member." For years, the television families which had never-ending tales of ba, bahu and scores of grand and great-grand children managed to keep the viewers engrossed for years. (Remember those days of Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi or Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii).


And now the camera is focusing on nuclear families. So be it Ahem Modi family in Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Jethalal Gada (Dilip Joshi's ) family in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Gadodia family and Bose family in Swaragini, Nachiket and Ragini (Ronit Roy and Pallavi Kulkarni) staying separately with their kids post separation in Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar, Anandi's (Toral Rasputra) nuclear family in Balika Vadhu, a closely-knit urban nuclear family of Ram Ahuja (Ram Kapoor) in Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane or Thakur family in Dilli Wali Thakur Girls, or Sneha Mathur (Gautami Kapoor)'s family in Tere Sheher Mein, Bitto Sharma's family from Comedy Nights With Kapil or the disjointed family of Siddharth Khurana (Ravi Dubey) in Jamai Raja and many more.



So what do actors have to say about this new look of daily soaps which have beyond the saga of joint families? To this, Helly Shah, who plays Ragini in Swaragini shares, "I love the way this show has been put up where Bose family which I belong to has a modern perspective of life. I portray the daughter of a single parent and the liberty is what adds more true life feel to my character. It brings in an element of freshness." Even Ravi Dubey shares, "Changes in economic process have resulted in the number of nuclear family system. Nuclear families are now part of life and TV shows are reflecting the reality. The joint family system also exists but nuclear family concept is talked about as there lies an important story."



And then there are shows which are also portraying a slice of dysfunctional families. What do the actors have to say about it? To this, Mohammed Nazim, who plays Ahem Modi in Saath Nibhana Saathiya shares, "Nuclear family structure exists in metros and even small towns. It's not about modern approach, it's about reality. The change in society is so visible. So makers are also portraying the change. But large families also exist as more drama and kitchen politics can be shown there."



And what do makers feel about having smaller family story lines in their shows? Sunjoy Waddhwa, maker of shows like Balika Vadhu and Ganga says, "Most fiction serials show joint families, with a nuclear angle to it. As and when the story demands, the focus shifts to the nuclear family. There is always an essence of a joint family in the nuclear families that we see today, leading the audience to connect with the shows they watch." Even producer Rajan Shahi shares, "Audiences want to see nuclear family, joint family, the ever-evolving changes happening in these important institutions on a larger platform of television. So, one sees an element of variety in the content. The joint family system is breaking down as the younger /current generation feels they are better off while living in a nuclear set-up. The economic scenario has changed with both partners working and everyone now wants his/her share of personal space and independence."



The changes are visible in social structures and the telly soaps are eager to showcase the change to be able to strike that connect. And garner TRPs.


https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Nuclear-families-grab-eyeballs-on-prime-time-TV/articleshow/47285117.cms