Serials end up in clichés

Desperation drives TV channels to resort to clichd formulas, that have earned TRPs in the past. The new serial, Babul Ka Aangan Chootey Na, is following the same pattern, which incidentally began with the serial Kkusum. The plot is basic: A middle class girl gets lucky, marries the rich son of an industrialist and while everyone wonders how the families have accepted the ordinary looking girl so easily, there is an ulterior motive. The man, is going to face rough times and may even lose his life, so as per astrological advise, he marries a middle-class girl to ward off the evil effects. In Saath-Pheren, Saloni's husband had been married before but this fact was concealed from his new wife. In Babul Ka Aangan, Aastha, the middle class girl married into a wealthy home, is part of a mysterious family secret, one that concerns her husband, who conveniently disappears at midnight. Everyone in the family is aware of the secret with the exception of Aastha.

If such build-ups would actually lead to an exciting revelation, one that takes the story forward, it would make sense, but often, what emerges at the end of this great mystery, turns out to be a damp squib, with some silly secret that need't have been hidden in the first place.

On the other hand, there are some serials which have seriously lost their plot and it sure looks like the writers have taken leave off their senses. Kuch Is Tarah, which began reasonably well enough, is now focusing on a constantly squabbling lead couple, who apparently are in love with each other but will not admit to the same. While the initial fights between Akashdeep Sehgal and Dimple's character seemed a lot of fun initially, now they are becoming boring and repetitive and it sure looks like the director doesn't know how to take the plot further. When a serial is losing focus, it's better to give it a firm ending before the script turns completely meaningless. Unfortunately, none of the TV producers seem to know when to let go and end a show with dignity.