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Hello everyone. Lately, we (Kirthi and Samana) have been having some very interesting conversations over PM about the way Indian TV works. We thought, why not open the conversation up to all of our favourite virtual people, and do it on the Chat Club so we can freely discuss and compare different shows and formats? Here are some excerpts from our PMs to give you an idea of what we have been talking about:
Kirthi: My husband watches a show called Breaking Bad on AMC. I think the new and last season starts today and so he was catching up on all the old episodes of last season during the summer. And I ended up watching with him, and Sammy, its such a shame that our TV industry cannot do shows like that. There are so many quality shows in the west that it is mind boggling that PHs in our country are so imprisoned by TRPS and the likes. It is not that writers in the TV industry are not talented or not creative. But it is like they are in a prison. Sigh! When will they break free is the big question? Last year, I kind of saw it as a transition but this year it seems the TV industry has taken ten steps backward.
Samana: Last year seemed so hopeful and full of promise for Indian TV and like you said, this year they seem to have taken ten steps back. The way I read it, last year everyone was really enthusiastic about sticking their necks out and trying something new, and they didn't really get due credit for it. The whole industry seems jaded somehow, right now, not knowing where to place their next big step and playing it safe, and boring, in the mean time.
At this point, I think what we really need is to switch to a weekly or at least bi-weekly schedule instead of a daily one. American shows don't reach their 100th episode for at least 5 seasons and it is pretty apparent how coming out with creative new ideas and content is easier in that format. To be honest, I love the subjects that Indian TV deals with; it is a lot closer to real people's lives than films ever were. It's just that the format is least conducive creativity after the 100 episode mark and writers are forced to compromise their original, often brilliant, visions.
Kirthi: Sammy I don't think content wise western shows will ever do well here and I don't want that either. I like how we get so attached to characters on Indian TV. And I think its because how realistic they are to us. But I think the way people from the west and the way we look at a movie or a show is so completely different. No matter what we say we do live off melodrama which is not so much in the west. Scenes and shows are more clinically executed here and a lot of times there is a lack of emotional depth in the west that I love about Indian shows.
I think like you mentioned it comes down to the formatting. The seasons should be short with a good break in between. It would work wonders for the writers and also give them an opportunity to close down the show properly, giving enough respect to the characters. That is why I am interested to see how Amitabh Bachan's new show is going to fare. They have already written the entire show and it is for a limited time. If that gets good ratings maybe more people will follow suit. Sigh, I am hoping that once school starts and my schedule is more organized we will have time to start that thread in the chat club. It will be fascinating to discuss the wonders and ailments of Indian TV industry with others.
Samana: I totally agree with you about the emotional aspect of Indian TV. That is what sets it apart and what makes it valuable. People deride it as being formulaic but for me that is where the true creativity lies, where within a formula you can create something fresh and interesting, which is precisely what many PHs do at their best. You have to have your lead couple who are destined to end up together, the virtuous mother-in-law and the vamp, who manipulates her into thinking her DIL is taking her son away from her. That degree of predictability is what gets the audience hooked ... they know what is coming and they are willing to wait years for it to actually happen, and in Ekta's case, generations! Finding the balance of predictability and suspense is the key, I think, writing the traditional Indian melodrama.
Can't wait for more of you to join the conversation!
Kirthi: My husband watches a show called Breaking Bad on AMC. I think the new and last season starts today and so he was catching up on all the old episodes of last season during the summer. And I ended up watching with him, and Sammy, its such a shame that our TV industry cannot do shows like that. There are so many quality shows in the west that it is mind boggling that PHs in our country are so imprisoned by TRPS and the likes. It is not that writers in the TV industry are not talented or not creative. But it is like they are in a prison. Sigh! When will they break free is the big question? Last year, I kind of saw it as a transition but this year it seems the TV industry has taken ten steps backward.
Samana: Last year seemed so hopeful and full of promise for Indian TV and like you said, this year they seem to have taken ten steps back. The way I read it, last year everyone was really enthusiastic about sticking their necks out and trying something new, and they didn't really get due credit for it. The whole industry seems jaded somehow, right now, not knowing where to place their next big step and playing it safe, and boring, in the mean time.
At this point, I think what we really need is to switch to a weekly or at least bi-weekly schedule instead of a daily one. American shows don't reach their 100th episode for at least 5 seasons and it is pretty apparent how coming out with creative new ideas and content is easier in that format. To be honest, I love the subjects that Indian TV deals with; it is a lot closer to real people's lives than films ever were. It's just that the format is least conducive creativity after the 100 episode mark and writers are forced to compromise their original, often brilliant, visions.
Kirthi: Sammy I don't think content wise western shows will ever do well here and I don't want that either. I like how we get so attached to characters on Indian TV. And I think its because how realistic they are to us. But I think the way people from the west and the way we look at a movie or a show is so completely different. No matter what we say we do live off melodrama which is not so much in the west. Scenes and shows are more clinically executed here and a lot of times there is a lack of emotional depth in the west that I love about Indian shows.
I think like you mentioned it comes down to the formatting. The seasons should be short with a good break in between. It would work wonders for the writers and also give them an opportunity to close down the show properly, giving enough respect to the characters. That is why I am interested to see how Amitabh Bachan's new show is going to fare. They have already written the entire show and it is for a limited time. If that gets good ratings maybe more people will follow suit. Sigh, I am hoping that once school starts and my schedule is more organized we will have time to start that thread in the chat club. It will be fascinating to discuss the wonders and ailments of Indian TV industry with others.
Samana: I totally agree with you about the emotional aspect of Indian TV. That is what sets it apart and what makes it valuable. People deride it as being formulaic but for me that is where the true creativity lies, where within a formula you can create something fresh and interesting, which is precisely what many PHs do at their best. You have to have your lead couple who are destined to end up together, the virtuous mother-in-law and the vamp, who manipulates her into thinking her DIL is taking her son away from her. That degree of predictability is what gets the audience hooked ... they know what is coming and they are willing to wait years for it to actually happen, and in Ekta's case, generations! Finding the balance of predictability and suspense is the key, I think, writing the traditional Indian melodrama.
Can't wait for more of you to join the conversation!
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