TOI: Misleading hindi soap titles

Misleading Hindi soaps titles!
Divya Pal, TNN | Oct 11, 2011, 06.44PM IST

Article

Comments

Read more:
Sanjeevani|Kuch Toh Log Kahenge|Kaahin Kissi Roz|Bade Achhe Lagte Hain|Astitva

0

KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGE

Hindi soaps, with their titles derived from popular Bollywood numbers, appear misleading, till the viewers begin to watch these. But what's the harm, if TRPs see no dip

When Rubina Kaul, a self-admitted TV addict, got to know about " Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", she expected the show to be set against the backdrop of Indian film struggle and centre on the issue of child marriage, similar to what 1976 romantic comedy "Balika Vadhu" stated.

But when she saw its first promo on TV, she realized that the serial had something different to offer, squashing her hopes. "If a show is titled "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", won't you think of the popular Bollywood track and expect some resemblance with the movie? The show is a must watch for its storyline, but I believe the title is misleading," rues Rubina. There are many viewers like Rubina who misinterpret the show's story before its audio-visual clip is shown. So if you are wondering "Kuch Toh Log Kahenge", "Diya Aur Baati Hum", "Neem Neem Shahad Shahad", "Tere Mere Sapne" are based on Bollywood blockbusters, you are mistaken. These names suggest nothing but a trend wherein lifting Bollywood songs is termed as drawing inspiration.

But Ravindra Gautam, director, "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" doesn't agree; he justifies the name on the ground that the show revolves around the love story of two individuals, who face problems in adjusting to changed circumstances but eventually fall for each other, that too post their wedding. "The show's title may or may not always give an insight into the story to the viewers. But in the case of "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", the name fits the story and the characters. Each time, the protagonists feel for each other, the title track is played as the background score to convince viewers about their love story."

If shows like "Saans" " Astitva", " Sanjeevani" " Kaahin Kissi Roz" "Hum Paanch", "Alpaviram", "Kasautii Zindagi Ke" and "Amanat" earned huge critical acclaim that too without depending on Bollywood numbers, why can't the trend of using original names continue? A source from the industry, on the condition of anonymity, reasons, "The number of shows that have been axed in the last one month is enough to explain how daily soaps are treated. TV shows are pulled off air if they can't generate huge revenues to the broadcaster. In TV industry, you can't take the risk of telecasting a show that can't grab viewers' attention. Since, procuring rights to play popular Hindi songs is not a cumbersome process, directors use the track incessantly to sustain the viewers' interest. And zeroing in on the names inspired from Bollywood songs becomes an expected choice. Don't advertisers trick people into buying wrong products? So what's the harm if TV shows have misleading names?Paisa toh aa raha hai na?"

Director and producer Rajan Shahi, who has "Kuch Toh Log Kahenge" and "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai" to his credit, both names inspired from Bollywood songs unconsciously though, says the selection of the title is a collective decision which the broadcaster, producer and the showmaker take. "The marketing strategy of the show is solely dependent on its name. The show has to be marketed well before it goes on air. Hence, the name should be catchy, musical and easy to connect with the viewers. "Kuch Toh Log Kahenge" has nothing to do with Rajesh Khanna-Sharmila Tagore starrer "Amar Prem" but the title was finalized because of the recall value of the song. However, it has been a conscious decision to not cash in on the song. Thus, we will refrain from playing the track in the show."

To think getting the right name is enough to grab higher TRPs is wrong, especially when viewers are flooded by options by GECs. A catchy name may prove important but not sufficient for a serial's commercial success. Its script and direction can never take a backseat.

Examples:

KUCH TOH LOG KAHENGE - Song from Bollywood film "Amar Prem"

BADE ACHE LAGTE HAIN - Song from Bollywood film "Amar Prem"

DIYA AUR BAATI HUM - Song from Bollywood film "Virasat"

NEEM NEEM SHAHAD SHAHAD - Song from Bollywood film "Yuva"

TERE MERE SAPNE - Song from Bollywood film "Guide"

SAPNON SE BHAREY NAINA - Song from Bollywood film "Luck By Chance"

SASURAAL GENDA PHOOL - Song from Bollywood film "Delhi 6"

ISS PYAAR KO KYA NAAM DOON - Song from Bollywood film "Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai"

PYAAR KII YEH EK KAHAANI - Song from Bollywood film "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd."

YEH RISHTA KYA KEHLATA HAI - Song from Bollywood film "Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities"

SAJAN RE JHOOT MAT BOLO - Song from Bollywood film "Teesri Kasam"

Thanks for sharing
The title is more to the log who will talk abt this unusual pair 😳

This is such a stupid Article...

but the tile is perfect , ab aisi jodi mein agar kuch hoga toh obviously log kuch toh kahenge 😆😆😆

to be honest i didn't read the whole article(sorry it was too lengthy) but i don't agree with the title to some extent...maybe some people can be mislead but all can't be...and these titles are so great...they create bit more excitement in viewers for the show...i didn't find anything wrong with the titles...they are good and catchy...

thanks for sharing...I think the whole article is stupid (no offence to the writer) I dont think any of the shows they have listed are misleading at all...especially SGP, KTLK and BALH...in fact the title itself explain what the show is about...how in the world is that misleading?😕

yes, I dont get what article is implying here. If the title is picked up from a movie's song, it doesn't mean the show's story has to be like movie. Those are just beautiful lyrics that can mean different things in diff situations. All of these titles mentioned above are perfect for the shows

Originally posted by: togepe30

This is such a stupid Article...

Who guesses the theme of the soap from the name??

Aise ppl pagal hote hain...U can NOT guess ki ek daily soap ki story kya hogi...LOL...Coz it keeps changing as per the trps...LOL !

exactly my point..
U cant expect that they'll copy the story of the movie as it is, from which they are using the title of their soap. Besides, i dun think that the serials listed could get a more suitable title.

I'll say this article is misleading and perhaps a waste of space,,😛

wat to write abt a article whose reporter cannot get the fact rite.. thr research blooper is glaring.. r v to believe thm? Crsly..