TOI: One leap for TRP

One leap for TRPs

Many soaps are repackaging their content to introduce an element of freshness through time leaps

Shruti Jambhekar


It all began almost eight years back,where Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi started this trend on Indian television of generation leap-and it was accepted by the audiences with open arms.To see Mihir and Tulsis son and daughter grown up was a curiosity.This new formula was applied to various soaps later.And the legacy of leap continues even now!
Out of the myriad changes on small screen,time leap continues to be a vital element and a constant in daily soaps.Now Pavitra Rishta,Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo,Uttaran,Geet... Hui Sabse Parayi and Pyaar Kii Yeh Ek Kahaani are taking leaps.Of course,the loyal audience are going to be curious to see Manav-Archanas grown up children and Veer and Ichchas realization that Yuvraj is their son.A couple of months ago,Shobha Somnath Ki,Chandragupta Maurya,Chhoti Si Zindagi and Naa Aana Iss Des Laado moved forward in time with a leap.AT delves into the phenomenon on how and why the leaps are planned and what undergoes in making them happen.
Saurabh Tewary,producer of Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo,says,A generation leap can only be done in a soap that has a sizeable fan following.These leaps are planned when the existing story reaches a saturation point.Introducing a generation leap,is almost as rigorous as launching a new show.There are many things to focus on starting from fresh story line to character sketches of new generation,new sets,locations and a wide array of tracks so as to put forward interesting refreshed story along with retaining the old characters. It is a cumbersome task on production level.
What do actors feel about aging along with the character that they play I dont mind aging on screen as its a challenge for a young actor to play an older character.Even Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played an older character in Guru at the same time she played the sizzling hottie in Dhoom.I take it as a challenge to playing an older woman.When my audiences in my next show see me play a much younger character,am sure theyll be equally excited, says Ankita Lokhande.Vivian Dsena whose show Pyaar Kii Yeh Ek Kahaani took a mini leap of one year and then a week ago,another leap of a year says,The story demanded this leap because there wasnt much to offer on the current storyline.Also,a refreshed look to the story in aspects of casting,locales and tracks always works in favour of the show. What do general entertainment channels (GEC) put in focus when a soap is taking a leap Sukesh Motwani,head-fiction programming of top GEC says,For a soap which has been popular among audience and has run for a couple of years,it is a point where we have worked out all the tracks to run a story.This is where a leap is essential as it gives a refreshed look to the show.Plus,theres the curiosity factor as well the audience wants to see their favourite characters as mom/dads facing new problems related and even tracks revolving around their children. Undoubtedly,story telling can run to an infinite level as long as the audience gives these fast forward modes a thumbs-up,which in turn makes GECs take a leap of faith to keep the audience glued to the soapboxes.shruti.jambhekar@timesgroup.com