War of the TRPs

Few of the younger generation will remember serials like Hum log and Buniyaad, which used to be aired on DD in the 80s. They were the baaps of the saas-bahu soaps of today. Urban India would come to a standstill to watch the serials.

Later, Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii were the first mega soaps on cable TV that were aired for years. These days, however, many new soaps don't seem to have the staying power and peter out within a few months. Is it because the story runs out of steam or is it because the audiences do not like improvisations like cast change, time leaps, etc.? Bidaai, a story about two sisters, who face problems in life because of their skin colour, was a unique concept. It was rated the most popular show on Star Plus and its success continued unabated for three years. It was recently taken off air, but not before many changes and improvisations to the story were attempted. Unfortunately, these failed to rake in the TRPs at the end.

But the lead actress and one of the most watched bahus, Ragini (Parul Chau-han) feels that the show made its mark. "The show ran for three years and till it was taken off air, it was running very well," she says.

While many housewives sulked over the end of their favourite 9 pm show, the younger generation was shocked when shows like Dill Mill Gaye (DMG) and Miley Jab Hum Tum (MJHT) came to an end. Both these shows on Star One were very popular. The soaps had fresh concepts of love and romance with a bunch of hot and handsome newcomers. Dr Armaan Malik, Dr Riddhima Gupta, Mayank and Nupur became household names. But audiences did not accept it when new characters were introduced and new faces replaced old ones. The production house does not agree that the show was pulled off air because of low TRPs. Palki, Creative Head of Cinevistaas, producer of DMG, says, "DMG and MJHT were cult shows. But we had to do away with the old ones to bring new shows into the picture. We've been getting a lot of mails and calls to get DMG back, but the channel has to take the call."

Not only Star One, but channels like Imagine TV have also pulled off three daily shows recently. Devi, Jyoti and Do Hanson Ka Jodaa. went off air because of low TRPs.

Rajshri Production's Do Hanson... which was launched earlier this year couldn't survive the TRP race and went off air last month. The production team, however, claims that the show was forced to shut as main lead Shubhangi Atre was out of action due to an accident on the sets. "I met with an accident and was on bed rest for over a month. The serial looked for replacements but went off air," says Shubhangi.

Nikhil, Head of Imagine's entertainment section, feels that every show has a shelf life after which the story loses its freshness. "The TRPs of Devi and Do Hanson... were dropping drastically. Jyoti was doing quite well and it ended on a good note too. We did not want to drag the story any further." he says.

Interesting item from one of the newspapers very relevant to all serials in the current scenario for all channels some info on Bidaai in Green