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What the tube sells today seems not only just content,as the industry is replete with tales of hope and aspiration of the common people

Navya Malini


Imagine landing in a world that lets you into an enigmatic tour of aspiration where you see people realizing their dreams,otherwise not fulfilled owing to circumstances.Television is now seen selling dreams through content be it soaps that tell you how a husband in a small town encourages his wife to carry forward her dreams of a career or a game show which enables the winner to explore the world of opportunities with the kind of prize money that did not expect.
TV today is full of such examples where the common people are the focal point.Needless to say,taking from daily shows to reality shows and lifestyle based shows,the unanimity is imminent.Analyze this.In Panchkoti Mahamoney Kaun Banega Crorepati,the contestant is not just realizing his/her dream to share the centre stage with Big B.It is just the icing on the cake.Whats more fascinating to note is the way the life and struggle of the contestants and their aspirations and dreams are brought forth by the show to the viewers.And whats the charm without showing struggle,which is quintessential to life,ask show makers.The struggle that the television today is depicting is all about the positive struggle of the protagonist.The inherent drama in the story of the positive struggle strikes a chord with the viewer, says producer Asit Modi adding,Indian television depicts middle class dreams.Even in shows where the setting and backdrop are extravagant,the middle class aspiration to climb new heights remains intact. Shows like KBC,Diya Aur Bati Hum,Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai,Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge,Live My Life,Mrs Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein,Haar Jeet,Humse Hai Liife,Dil,Dostii,Dance et al have a common thread which binds them selling dreams to viewers.Merely a dream would not suff i c e,s ay many.The dream usually has a social issue as the central theme.Sumeet Mittal,director of shows like Diya Aur Bati Hum and Haar Jeet,says,We always try to focus on a social issue,without which the storyline loses relevance.So,the idea of a common man who helps his wife realize her goal.This in turn was inspired from a real life incident which I came across in newspapers 20 years ago.At the same time Haar Jeet talks about parents ambition to goad their children into the glam world. It is finding what the viewer can relate to and giving a contemporary touch that results in a mixed bag of shows with a variegated content.While in Humse Hai Liife,the protagonist strives to carve a niche for herself in a predominantly male dominated field boxing,in Dil,Dostii,Dance,the leading lady works towards achieving her goals proving her detractors wrong.
Capturing the ambitions of the common man is not a new phenomenon in the telly world.Old shows,in fact,revolved around the common man, says director Gorky adding,The relevance of the common people who want to achieve something has become more relevant today.TV today is about natural storytelling,which has changed the perspective.It is here that a girl making her own mark in a mans world gets more emphasis.
Eyeing the aspiration factor is not limited to fiction/reality shows.Youth entertainment channels are extending the idea a step further with innovative content.As Shifa Maitra,head of programming (shows) of a Bollywood entertainment channel,says,People have big dreams.And when it comes to celebs,fans aspire to interact with their idols.It is this dream that the show Live My Life is woven around.
It is not just that the common man is the recipient of the entertainment quotient,but celebs who get themselves involved in the process too,tend to experience a slice of life.Stars like Priyanka Chopra,Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor had a very nice experience on the show, says Shifa.
Soon to hit the airwaves are shows like Dekha Ek Khwab and Parvarish that deal with the aspiration of the protagonist.The upcoming show RK Laxman Ki Duniya promises to take the viewer to the world of the common man through the life of illustrator and humorist RK Laxman.
As long as the tube sells the great Indian dream,viewers will continue to see a slice of their lives on the television.
navya.maliniyv@timesgroup.com