Bollywood inspires channels

Fans of 70s and 80s films have much to feast on even now. Remakes are undoubtedly the order of the day in Bollywood with Don, Umrao Jaan, Sholay and the likes, but on the small box too, you can see a lot from these yesteryear movies in terms of story and presentation. Thodi Khushi Thode Gham is Sobhna Desai's take on the 70's hit Khoobsurat, Banoo Main Teri Dulhan is Anpadh rehashed, Kareena Kareena was Golmaal, Saat Phere has elements of several old films and Balaji has drawn inspiration and story tracks, time and again, from many of Jeetendra's old hits like Arpan, Priyatama, Dulhan, Parichay, Apnapan, Khandan, Sanjog etc.

These films had elements like the protagonist falling into traps, being misunderstood, having illegitimate children by accident, husband-wife tiffs and reconciliations, a long lost husband coming back after years, double roles portraying people with ditto appearances, huge families et al which we are so used to seeing in Balaji soaps now-a-days. And surprising audiences in 21st century India have lapped up the shows with their own free will.

Serial makers indeed have a lot of explanations to give for this phenomenon. "Most of the factors are decided by the channels and the target audiences. We have to see to it that the serials are commercially viable. I feel the crucial factor being that people want watch conventional themes. There are still not too many takers for new subjects. The channels also want good subjects and aren't ready to experiment," says Neelima Bajpai, producer Banoon Main Teri —Dulhan, on a defensive mode.

Even though Bajpai blames channels for the trend, veteran producer Manish Goswami thinks otherwise. "Television has entered our bedrooms. Even if we do not like certain concepts we have to see it. Viewers have kind of developed this mindset that they have to watch things which cater to a particular formula," Says Manish. "Television ratings run on points. You have to be in the rat race. I don't blame the channels. Whichever show gets maximum ratings will run."

Whether it's channel to be blamed or someone else, the fact remains that splurging money on a tried and tested formula is better than experimenting with something brand new. "This is nothing wrong. Otherwise it's a long process. Rehashing helps in getting a tried and tested concept. Sometimes channels themselves suggest certain films which they want to be adapted. It's about playing safe. Koshish — Ek Asha was based on a South film. It was the same story–ditto," admits Mir Muneer, a veteran television writer. "Varun Bodola's character was the exact copy of a character in the film. I guess money is the only criterion." And it worked!! Koshish — Ek Asha was a huge hit in it's times.

There can be a variety of reasons why this is done. The channels seem to be too sacred to experiment. "Typically there can't be one single reason for it – quality of writing, understanding of writing, audience demand, tries and tested formula, high economics, everybody wanting to play safe and so on," Akash Khurana, actor and film writer shares his concern. All said and done, it seems our serial makers owe a lot to the filmmakers of the 70s and the 80s. They have always provided them with the inspiration, the broth ready to be served after some rehashing and garnishing.