So since this chat club is created exclusively for finite series let me start of with why do we need finite series. But before I tell why finite series is the need of the hour, let us look into some of the issues with current storylines in TV.
Storyline is not fixed. It depends on one and only one thing. TRP. I. So for TRPs storylines are twisted and unfortunately if you look in the name of sanskaars and paramparas all regressive things are promoted and that includes superstitions. And if the TRP is good storyline is stretched like a rubber band even when the core story is over. Most of the long running shows including DABH, SNS, YRKHH, SSK you name anything everything belongs to this rubber band category. But the audience love to watch leap after leap, marriage after marriage, tears after tears and loud irritating BGM. Reason I have felt for the success of such shows is that the characters of the shows become part of the family and everyday these people want to watch what happens to that family. Typical Indian mentality I would say. Doesn't matter your house is burning, but you would like to know whether your neighbour's house is also burning. If it is then it's ok. Problem is only your house is burning 😆.
Second is the fact that women who have moved outside their home, have got a career, have seen the world outside, wants a change in the society still constitutes hardly 10-15% of the audience. And even these audience on most occasions are unable to watch the shows that appeal to them on TV and have to resort to online. Reason being while they balance their work and family to sit in front of TV comfortably is not possible for them. They at the most watch 1 or 2 shows. Hence these viewers are not TRP audience either.
Also the negativity in these shows is so huge that, I feel if you watch them the negativity can affect your thought process also. These shows almost never show victory of good giving more and more screen space to evil. And good never take any tangible action. Both female and male protoganists are made super sacrificial lambs. They lack human touch.
Problem of having more and more such shows is not only bad for the present generation, it is harmful for the future generation who unintentionally watches these shows along with their parents or grandparents. They grow up thinking this is Indian culture. Whether we like it or not lot of atrocities are getting traced back to TV serials, especially things like dowry, domestic violence etc..
It is in this backdrop we have to see the need for finite series. The advantage of having a finite series is that the storyline will be fixed. Character sketch will be complete and if you take each of the show in the list you will know that on most occasions there are no good and bad characters. Most are human and situations and actions taken in the situation makes good and bad out of them. And that is what is required. Young generation has to see the consequence of actions, they need inspiration to stand up for themselves, standup for what is right, standup to their conscience and need to get inspired. And shows are the best means to do it as they can offer both entertainment and knowledge at the same time.
Another adavantage right now is that the PH and channel can look at online viewership also during contract making. If revenue stream gets opened up there, then even if TRPs are low in TV, online views will give the required revenue as you can watch epi online multiple times. So more the online popularity, more revenue and it is also proven that most of the finite series is doing extremely good online.
Now I will briefly analyze the finite shows I have seen and what is special about them and how being finite they were able to stick to their theme.
Everest
First in the list of course will be this 104 saga by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The biggest advantage of Everest was it was pre-shot. And if you look at the soap scenario in last 10 years this one show can be marked the most realistic and inspirational on Indian TV. The character sketch of all the 3 protoganists were beautiful. A rejected daughter in Anjali, A failed friend in Aakash and an insecure Arjun was a treat to watch. The journey to Everest was if getting acceptance of her father for Anjali, it was for supporting his foster mother for Aakash and for Arjun the motive was pure money. Their learnings in the journey, their trials and tribulations were shot beautifully. The love story of Anjali-Aakash didn't overbear, but it was in perfect sync with the storyline so was the love story of Arjun -Reena and Vidhan-Maithili. Show showed the importance of values, but was not sugary sweet. It showed the harsh reality of the climb also. The 10 member team that starts of and only 2 people reaching the top showed as you go higher things go rough and tough and only the tough survive. Also it showed the extend of corportate greed. And the best part of the show was there was no melodrama, no unnecessary tears, the emotions were sublime yet beautiful. This show is something that should never be missed and all the fans visiting this forum do try to watch it in hotstar.
Ek Hasina Thi
Another wonderful path breaking soap I would say. Thanks to TRP aunties though this show had a premature end atleast 3 months before it was supposed to end the theme and message of this show left such an impact on me that I am watching the dubbed version of the same in Asianet Plus. Based on the mythology story of Mahishasura Mardanam it is the battle of a girl called Durga against the society who puts the blame of rape on a woman while the man goes scott free. Some of the high points of the show were real life characterization of both antagonists and protagonists. All the protoganists in the show were looking for a second chance.
- Durga who is actually Nithya wants to give justice to her sister Payal and had failed to give that in her first attempt. Her guilt is more because Payal got raped because of a bet Shaurya kept on Nithya and she slapped him for that
- Dev Shaurya's cousin and Nithya's friend who was in US, who listened to his family and mom when they told nothing serious is happening. When he came to know the truth everything was over. Desperately searching for his friend and love who he still believes to be alive so that he can help her in getting justice. A man willing to drag his family name in the mud for his friend, for justice. And the punishment he gets for doing the same
- Payal- Rape victim who loses everything and cries out each day for her sister Nithya in a mental asylum. Her mistake. Owing to pressure and blackmailing she changes her statement in court that she was not raped. Her condition, her trials can bring tears to a woman's eyes.
- Dayal- A man who lost his daughter because of a MU, wants to give better life and justice for the girl to whom he gave his daughter's face. At least a second time he wants to fulfill all the responsibilities as a father.
And of course the main antagonist Sakshi Goenka. The most obsessive and intelligent mother of Shaurya Goenka who will go any extend to protect her son.
All in all the show makes you think, exposes the hypocrisy of the society where a rape victim is condemned while a tukrayi Dulhan gets more mercy. Perpetuator of rape goes scott free, while marriage is forced on another man for family's pride. A woman's emotion in rape and a man's emotion in forced marriage is completely ignored. For family's pride a woman has to stay mum about rape and for family's need and pride a man has to be in a marriage where he does not love his better half.
This is just one hypocrisy I mentioned, whereas the show questions societies norm of sanskaar, parampara, honour, valour everything.
And in doing all these the show never loses its charm and keeps its heart in the right place. And when you see the rape victim finally standing upto the perpetaur of the crime you feel, your belief in the show has been honored.
EHT deserved much more than what it got. But you cannot refute the fact that it did bring a very strong leading lady to Indian TV.
Mahakumbh
This was fine. But somewhere I felt the storyline was tampered for TRP. But even then this show was much better than what we get in TV. With good performances form senior actors Manishji and Seemaji coupled with power packed performance by GR and Rahil as Rudra and Dansh MK is worth a watch. It also send out some nice messages on valour, truth, sacrifice etc.. But somewhere I felt there were some loose ends.
I have not watched other shows and Ek Tha Chander Ek Thi Sudha has just started. It looks good so far and will provide my reviews on the same.
So would like to know from you what you think about finite shows.
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