Asian Age:Decoding the soaps

What's the secret to some of our soaps running successfully for years? The creators let us in on the secret...

While perhaps not in the league of Buniyaad and Humlog of the good old Doordarshan days as far as run time is concerned, there are a few shows currently on TV that are in for the long haul.

We speak to the makers of Baalika Vadhu, Diya Aur Bati, Qabool Hai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai to find out how they manage to hold on to the audience's attention span for years together.

Qubool Hai: It's all in the writing
Faizal Akhtar, the creator of Qubool Hai, says that the secret to the show's success is hard work and the fights the writers have during the writing sessions.

Faizal also gives credit the show's producer Gul. "Unlike other producers, Gul is very interested in what comes next in the show and whether the audiences will like it," he says, adding, "Her constant inquisitiveness helps us to be on our toes.

"Also, as a writer I sleep thinking about the next story line, dream about it and then the next day start penning. The constant thought process which I undergo helps me come up with new and fresh ideas. Qubool Hai today is the longest running show owing to our daily rigmarole."

Faizal also praises the show's female protagonist, Surbhi. He says, "She works on each of her different entries with great care. She likes to get into the skin of the character and gives her best. The viewers identify with her."

How often do they need to introduce new storylines to keep the shows fresh? "We have to introduce a fresh storyline often, therefore we have brought the main female protagonist back for the fourth time in a different avatar. The main story however has to be the same."

- Lipika Varma