Money talks
| Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi |
Ek Ladki Anjaani Si
If you thought that only films had big budgets, you've got to think again. Here's a peek into how much moolah goes into making TV soaps
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
This is perhaps the costliest show on the small screen. It is said that every episode of the show costs around Rs 18 lakh. Tulsi's elegant saris and Mihir's expensive suits definitely don't come cheap. The fees charged by these actors only add to it. The show is still going strong and hence neither the producer nor the channel is complaining.
Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin
Jassi's heavy duty saris account for most of the money spent on this show. Each outfit that the duckling-turned-swan wears costs Rs 20,000 and above. The approximate cost per episode of the show is Rs 10 lakh. This also makes the show the costliest one on the channel. To cut costs, the Jassi… team often shoots in bungalows instead of constructing sets.
Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka
It costs Rs 4 lakh on an average to make one episode of this serial. Around Rs 2 lakh is spent on the stars, collectively. The cost of technicians is another Rs 1 lakh. Despite having made detailed calculations of the amount required, budgets tend to swell up by 20 to 25 per cent every time. Sets, equipments and production costs (editing and dubbing) constitute an extra Rs 2 lakh.
Kasautii Zindagi Kay
Since Balaji shows have high production values and expensive stars, Kasauti Zindagi Kay costs no less than a whopping Rs 13 lakh per episode. Designer clothes and grand sets leave no room for cutting costs.
Shararat
This weekly show runs on a modest budget of Rs 4 lakh per episode. Barring veteran Farida Jalal, the entire cast of the show is relatively new. However, no compromise is made on production values. This show has been successfully running for three years
Ek Ladki Anjaani Si
One episode of the serial costs approximately Rs 6 lakh. Artistes' wages constitute 25 to 30 per cent of the budget. Technicians and creative people take up another 35 per cent. The balance is spent on location and production.
Debate Mansion
