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We reported yesterday how a morcha led by women stalled the shooting of Bidaai, a once-top-rated Star Plus show. Well, now here comes the shocker. It is buzzed that the morcha was part of the makers' well planned strategy of keeping the show in news. Ever since a rival show has led to a dip in Bidaai's TRPs and pushed it to the fourth position across channels, the channel seems to be trying every trick in the book to keep it in news.
We had reported how producer Rajan Shahi claimed to have met a group of young women who wanted him to stop showing any negativity between the show's two female protagonists. He had also said how these women were emotionally attached to the show and how he was touched by their reactions.
Well, a source on the sets, informs us all that was hogwash. A media person present on the scene covering the protest, says, "The morcha was staged. The production house and the channel were hand in glove on this one. The channel called us informing us of the protest and asking us to cover it. We rushed at the site and saw some women holding placards which read – Dono behnon ko alag mat karo (Don't separate the two sisters). What surprised us was how come the women knew where the show was being shot. The general public knows that usually shooting happens in Filmcity or other famous locations but how would one know about a set at Mira Road? When we asked one of the women how she knew where the set was, she said they knew because it was their favourite show. When we prodded further, they said they knew someone from the production house. They also flatly refused to reveal the identity of that person.
The source continues, "Also our suspicions grew when a channel official present on the sets kept receiving calls from one of those women. Then, when Rajan Shahi arrived he was smiling rather than showing any signs of tension. He tried to behave as if he was clueless about the morcha and then went on to offer them tea and water announcing that they have come from far-away places. We later came to know that there is this group of ladies that is located in Jogeshwari who take part in
morchas for money. And finally our suspicions were confirmed when a guy from the production unit received a call from one of the ladies of the group that now that everything is done could they leave?"
We texted Anupama Mandloi, senior creative director, Star Plus, but she didn't revert.
The lengths to which channels go today to keep their shows in news. We suggest they instead hire a new scriptwriter to infuse fresh blood into the show!
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