When Colors' launched Chhal Sheh Aur Maat at the 9 pm slot replacing Phulwa, they were quite gung-ho about this 24 Frames produced suspense thriller. However, barely two or three months down the road there is speculation that the channel may take a call on the show.
A source informed that the multiple twists and turns, including in the personality of lead Neha (Hunar Hali) turning negative, is confusing the public and hence the show's numbers are not really jumping (latest1.7 TVR).
The source further added that there is a lot of pressure from the channel which is leading to a lot of changes in the scripting which in turn is seeing artists have to put in work for more than the stipulated 12 hours.
And guess what? We have reports that the channel may have even given the production house two months notice to shape up or ship out.
However, when we spoke to actress turned first time producer Bhairavi Raichura, she denied any such speculation stating, "We have not been informed of any such notice."
But she accepted that the numbers are less "but that was bound to happen given the IPL and ratings have actually got better in the past two weeks since the T20 tournament has ended."
Bhairavi, better known as Kajal bhai from Hum Paanch, did not deny that there is pressure from the channel, "Pressure will always be there when ratings are less. We are trying our best and hope to turn around things."
She also did not accept the thriller element was the cause of the problem. "The channel was in the loop right from day one and they continue to support us even now."
When we asked about the "over working" part, she said, "Yes, the cast are working overtime but not because of any changes in the script. It's just that the complex thriller shooting system is taking more time."
Here lead actor Hunar Hali came to the support of her producers saying, "We will do anything for her and Nandita (Nandita Mehra) maam."
Hunar also expressed surprise at the low numbers, "Wherever I go, people say that they love my show, yet the ratings never generate a spike."
She also took on the allegation against her character's flip flop saying that she has never turned negative in the show.
"Things will again turn for the positive when she come to know that Kabir is not bad and the popular soft moments between the two will return."
In closing, we asked Bhairavi if the numbers don't show up, will the channel force to abandon the thriller track and go the normal saas bahu way ? "I have not been told anything but finally it is the call of the channel and we have really tried our best to make this genre work."
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