Jassi jaisi koi hai!

Thick-rimmed spectacles, braces and a modest yet wide smile - this has been one of the most popular images on global television. Yo Soy Betty, La Fea which translates as I am Betty, The Ugly in the UK morphed into Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi in India. The concept has evoked a variety of reactions from global audiences. UK's Channel 4 premiered the show more than double the audiences (4.5 million viewers) than Friends last Friday.

Betty has been moulded for the native audiences, just like Jassi. Several countries have cast their own Bettys, but Channel 4 opted to buy the US version. So while Betty sports a dull polka-dotted cardigan, Jassi was seen in a humble salwar kameez, pink being almost a leitmotif throughout the soap. Secondly, the desi Betty, played by the now-popular Mona Singh had complete Punjabi overtones in her character, her body language and speech.

The braces are a trademark worn by all versions of the character - playing on the stereotype of ugliness. Betty, the personal assistant, works at Mode fashion magazine while her desi counterpart was selected at a fashion designing house. But here's the catch: Betty has landed the job because she is the only candidate the publication's boss believes his son, the editor, will not try to sleep with! Jassi though, had no such background to her character, except for being a university topper.

Finally, the concept has a history of making stars out of whoever plays the central character. Miss Ferrara, like Mona, was relatively unknown when she was cast. Mona, on the other hand, was just the same, but is one of the most talked about faces on Indian television today. In real life, both the strikingly beautiful actresses are set for a soaring career.

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