Nothing different about it

If there is one word that could describe Hindi television content in 2005, then it is mediocrity. Shows that started off with the promise of being 'different' did not sustain. Sony, for instance, launched Yeh Meri Life Hai, which revolved around a young middle-class girl's ambition to become a film director. Soon the script moved into a sprawling bungalow, where she had to deal with a brash mother-in-law and an obsessed husband. The film that she planned to direct was soon forgotten. Similarly, at a time when dusky complexion seems to have become the 'in' thing, Zee launched a new show — Saath Phere, Saloni Ka Safar. This is a story of a dark complexioned girl belonging to a wealthy family, who faces stigma due to her skin colour.

But talk to broadcasters and they will tell you that there is a high level of viewer interest in such family dramas. Hence serials that start off on a 'different' note end up following the all-familiar routine. After all, the monies at stake are very high. More television rating points only lead to more advertisers. Added to this, the Hindi entertainment genre has not seen a growth in its advertising share this year.