Updated:-
I want to start my analysis with an apology as I posted late than my usual timing. Sorry I was completely stuck with work and couldn't even make any time for the analysis. When I got the time to pen down the analysis, it was pretty late and thought of skipping today. But, there were many thoughts that I wanted to share regarding the storyline, planning of 4 Lions and on the wrong marketing decisions which in my opinion is pretty crucial. Tant, I hope by morning you will be fresh and we can read you with ease. Will wait for you.
Before I get down into the analysis of the episode, I want to show all of you and 4 Lions where actually the problem is. Last week the TRP was 3.1 and this week the TRP is 2.8. Why??? Even though last week the episodes were good IMO as we have got nice wedding track and many more exciting episodes than the week before, yet we are seeing the downfall in the TRP chart, isn't it??? Of course it is. Let me get to the root of the problem.
Every company have their own products and they sell their products; be it in service industry where they sell services; be it in manufacturing company where they sell products; be it in IT industry where they sell data and products and information; isn't it??? So, when a Media Production House design a product they design it with ideas and thoughts and above all they need to sell it. Right??? Hence, when any company needs to sell their products or services, they need to have a proper planning in their product and marketing department - isn't it??? Can anything be achieved without any proper planning??? No. Right??? That is why we have Market Research Analysts who toils in understanding the "Market Demographics" and the "Perceptual Gap" because without that it will very hard to "Place" your product. Now, to market a product one needs to understand the "4 Ps" because this is where the "Vision" is very critical. Yes, the 4 Ps and for 4 Lions they are:-
1. Product = Iss pyaar ko kya naam doon
2. Place = Star Plus @ 8pm slot
3. Price = this is determined by TRP
4. Promotion = Promos
Now, when 4 Lions and Star Plus had their initial meeting they decided to keep the serial at 8pm slot and their competitors was majorly - Balika Vadhu of Colors; their biggest competition. But, what they must have decided is shifting the viewers from Zee and Sony and other major channels and the loyal fans of the PH and the actors from Star One / Life OK too. Now the problem. While they considered all the above factors they forgot to consider the 'Interest" and "Drive" of the Demographics of the channel and the product. Star Plus being a major GEC channel have a wide variety of demographics ranging from school going kids to Old aged, but the majority is from the age group of 14 to 50. Now, they need to divide this vast age group of 14 -50 into various sub-groups. They need to understand that this is not a youth channel and this is a generic channel and the most viewed channel of the country. So, the sub groups can be as follows:-
1. Age group 14 - 25:- this sub group watches only for Arnav and Khushi
2. Age group 26 - 40:- this sub group watches for both the leads and the story
3. Age group 40 - 50:- this sub group watches for the story mainly and some for the leads
4. Age group 50 - 65:- this sub group is basically a passive audience
Here lies the problem in the planning of the marketing department. 4 Lions is very very strong in designing a track and they research a lot when they design the track and the storyline but they are equally very very weak in their scriptwriting department and designing their vehicle. They are equally weak in their strategies and planning which is why there is downward steep in their TRPs. Why I am saying this??? Read me on.
First of all there was not even a single promo in the past one month and when they finally released the promo they released with "Khushi fearing Arnav killing her". Isn't it???Now the prelude to this. What happened in the past couple of months. Remember my "Limited Dreams" Analysis where I did a weekly review after I came back from vacation??? I will come to that analysis later on but recollect that analysis and it was on Mar 23rd. The reason I am bringing that up is because it was reality check for 4 Lions where they massacred all the characters along with Shyam and Khushi. It was the moment Khushi went "Suhaani la la la" by the pool, remember??? Now, w.r.t the above sub groups, tell me honestly, which category viewers would love to watch another promotion where "Khushi is suspecting Arnav to kill her" after almost 2 months with the same stangant characteristics of Khushi??? Only the first group right??? I don't have the complete data on the number of viewers in each category; otherwise I would have provided the number.
Here I need a moment Gul. Here comes my question to your planning department. What would have been the result if you would have shown a promo where "Anjali was about to fall from the stairs and Shyam was shown fidgeting with the shoe"???
Tell me very honestly, if you would have shown this promo instead then wouldn't you have targeted the entire age group of 14-50??? Yes or No??? Yes, isn't it??? What would have happened??? The entire Pan of your demographics would have been glued to the TV sets where they would expect that Shyam is going to kill his wife??? Isn't it??? If you would have shown this then your episodes of Wednesday and Thursday would have made much more sense. You could have still shown the "horror TV show" and Khushi suspecting Arnav of killing her and the "Chess Game" where Bubbli knocked off the Queen and the best part would have been that your entire 99% of the audience could have related with the episodes of past 2 days. Simple. They could have easily figured that it was of Shyam and that Anjali's life is in danger. Still, your message of "AR 36 K" and the "Chess" could not be deciphered and that would have been left only for the Analysts and the Cinematographic students. But imagine your entire problem of garnering the TRPs would have been solved and the "Aesthetic" way of storytelling would have been successful. Isn't it??? But instead what did your Planning Department strategize??? They thought people will watch if and only if you show the promo of "Arnav and Khushi" irrespective of how absurd it looks and feels like. Isn't it??? Answer me Gul, where are the brains of your planning department??? Is this a youth channel or this is the most viewed channel??? For heaven's sake, take advantage of the highest reach of Star Plus and promote your storytelling and show your strategies. If you don't understand the games of business then no one is going to help you. No Barun Sobti and Sanaya Irani is going to help you run your business and give you the market share, that you have to earn it yourself. If as a PH you want to succeed then learn to cash in your strengths and take the advantage of the position in the market that Star Plus have. Be alert now and understand how does a market work??? Not every person understand your "Aesthetic" and "Brilliant" thought process in designing the episode, but you have to make them understand how strong you are in that department. If you don't market yourself then no one is going to market it for you.
I know how brilliant your thought process is and I have always proved in this Redux and even yesterday how brilliantly your team have designed the "36 and Chess" and they know it and again today how brilliantly you have "Concluded" it with the number "40" and "Apple". I'll explain in the analysis of the episode later on, but this is your strength and you know what??? Your Buyer is not the audience but your buyers are the "Channels" and you need to market your "Strengths and Products" to them. So, learn to market yourself and cash in the advantage that you are having right now and change your planning department and you have to help your planning department with your strengths and then only they will suggest you the best marketing strategies with the promotions. Also remember you are in tough competition with the other PHs at Star's office and so take wise decisions. Mark my words; otherwise it will be very tough for you to even "Break-even".
Shall we start now??? Before I explain I want you all to remember my weekly analysis - "Limited Dreams" on Mar 23rd.
Excerpts from Limited Dreams:-
Shyaam's dream??? Oh yeah, he does have a dream; enjoying with Saale Sahab's money and Khushi's anatomy. Shyaam reading "Economic Times"??? I am impressed. I thought he would never go beyond Cosmopolitan. Let me talk to the script writer here, oh sorry, let me talk to the whole IPK team. Where were you in August??? Let me remind you busy with Arnav-Khushi chemistry. Isn't it??? See??? I tell you, it was after his revelation to the audience that he indeed is Anjali's husband. What was the scene at the dining table??? I have seen a house and will take Rani Sahiba. What did Arnav say??? Sure, "Agar Di chahte hain toh tab tak Di ko yahan rahene dijiye". Am I right??? Now where in the world did the money transfer come in the picture??? If there were always money been transferred to the joint a/c then why Shyaam will sneak out money from Anjali with tricks. Yaad aaya kuch??? I don't forget so soon. [I don't analyze BBT (Big Bang Theory) but I can say in which episode Sheldon did say certain dialogues]. Whatta continuation in the storyline??? Here I was shouting about your dreams being limited and there I find out entire Shyaam's character analysis is a big FIASCO. Now, tell me how you will justify Shyaam's move??? On one hand he needs Arnav's money and on other hand he betrays his bank balance. WOW. How can anyone justify his moves??? If this was the case then why in the first place he would commit to the crime in front of Arnav??? Shyaam was always portrayed as the "Self Respectable - Khuddar" person and you have changed him to a "Back Stabber" now. Who is writing the story here???
Now who remembers this??? Anyone??? Finally finally we have got the revival of the character named - "Shyam Manohar Jha". It's ok the creative at least remembered that once upon a time in the month of August they have shown Shyam talking about taking Anjali to their own house and now after 9 months he remembered. WOW. Whatta memory.
But what I liked here is Khushi's innuendo from yesterday fitted exactly - "Saaye ki tarah mere saath hain". Of course, Shyam will be with Arnav all the time, otherwise how in the hell he will learn Arnav's moves here??? He needs to be at RM to get his mission fulfilled.
Now another question to all the readers here. Who all believed that yesterday's episode was all about Shyam and his moves??? All of you right??? Well there is another proof of that in today's episode and I'll prove you all how beautifully the creative team have created this story.
The "Sin" is committed by all here; by Shyam; by Khushi; by Arnav. Shyam committed the sin with adultery and eyeing on someone else's property by betraying Anjali; Khushi committed the sin by hiding the true face of Shyam from Anjali; Arnav committed sin by hiding the true face of Shyam from Anjali and also sabotaging Khushi's dreams. All the three characters have committed sin and that, to Anjali. Here cometh my "Triangle". All the three are the vertices and they are connected to Anjali and the she is the "Suspension" here keeping these three characters in their respective positions.
"Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character" ~ Chinese Proverb
Arnav takes the "Apple" and why now at this moment??? Does Arnav know that he has misunderstood Khushi??? No. He has no idea that Khushi is innocent. When Adam and Eve took a bite of the apple they were together and in marriage the wife and husband are always equal in sickness and health; in praise or in "SIN". The moment Arnav will realize that Khushi is innocent his realization of his "guilt" will start and the same way the moment Khushi will realize that she was misunderstanding Arnav all along and the reason of him marrying her is just to save his Di, she will realize the "SIN" she made with hiding the true face of Shyam. This is when they will realize that they had "Sinned". Now, the devil Shyam. He has sinned too but does he know this??? Naaa. Not yet. He is selfish and only thinking of his goal, but one needs to realize that they have "Sinned' to actually start the path of testing, trial, probation and end with a period of restoration, revival or renewal. Isn't it???
Yup and here is the "Brilliance" of the creative team. They have shown all the 3 characters sinning and then their start of "Testing Phase" by Anjali. Fantastic Isn't it???
Now another question to you all. Who is the less guilty here??? It's Khushi. Right??? So, here goes the plan. To counter attack Shyam, Arnav created the condition "AR 36 K with a cross on K" meaning Khushi is the "Obstacle" for Shyam to acquire the entire "Wealth and Cash flow" the King. This will ensure that Shyam and Anjali will always be together and not Shyam and Khushi. But does Shyam know this??? No. He got the fake file and for that his biggest "Obstacle" is Arnav Singh Raizada. He cannot leave RM right now and so today after the period of 9 months Naaniji remembered all of a sudden that Anjali wanted to shift to her own house but Shyam's plan of staying with ASR always cannot be failed. Hence, his "manipulative brain" started working and he became successful. So, now his next target is non-other than the Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada.
Let's see Khushi and Arnav. Pretty soon they will face the truth and the moment it'll happen, their "SIN" will start working. Then is the time their "Testing Period" will start. Shyam is already sinning and he manipulated Anjali to extract the money. What was the amount??? Rs. 40,000. Why not Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 60,000??? Why??? Think Think ???
Here goes Number 40:- Yesterday when they showed the number 36, I was wondering why not 40??? As I know 40 is more important than 36. Because, 40 is the number associated with "Testing and Trial, where your "Faith and Truth" is being tested and here I got Rs. 40,000 today and see the connection; who wrote the check??? "Non-other than, Anjali Jha".
The number 40 in the Bible is symbolic of a period of testing. Just as Noah's faith was put to the test of 40 days and nights of rain, the children of Israel being tested in the wilderness for 40 years, and Jesus' fasting of 40 days before he began his public ministry. The number 40 holds particular significance in the Bible and refers to a precise number, not just a long period of time. There are at least 10 instances in the Old Testament and New Testament where 40 occurs, either in years or days, e.g. it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites wandered 40 years, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and was seen on the earth for 40 days after His crucifixion.
There you go peeps, the significance of the number 40. Now after Khushi and Arnav will realize their guilt, their testing period will start for either 40 days or 40 weeks. It will happen and they have sinned to Anjali so, they will prove their truthful nature to one and only Anjali. The same way, when Khushi and Arnav will come to know about the whole truth, then Shyam's "Testing period" will start and he will have to go to WILDERNESS and pass the trial and his JUDGMENT will be declared.
See all the scriptures:-
Deuteronomy 8:2 :- "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments or no."
Mark 1:13 :- "and He was there in the Wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan."
Acts 1:3:- "to whom He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."
Did you notice the Brilliance of the creative team??? Here goes another one.
The number 36. After Khushi and Arnav will prove themselves and pass the testing period then when their renewal and revival and restoration will be over will come the "Judgment". This is why we saw - AR 36 K. Now, 3+6 = 9. What is 9??? It's called "Judgment".This is for Shyam's judgment and because he sinned to Anjali and Khushi he will lose both AR and K. AR is Anjali, property and cash flow and Khushi is the "Opponent" to that and this is Shyam's judgment that he will lose both the "Objects of Desire".
Remember Shyam said to Bauji - "Hum Rani Shahiba ko bhi nehin chodenge aur Khushiji se bhi shaadi karenge"??? There you go Shyam Manohar Jha, you will have none of them and that is the "Judgment".
So friends. this is the "Brilliance and Strength" of the story telling of 4 Lions and I remember someone asked me yesterday that do I think they have time to think all this??? The answer to all the doubts is in front of you. The only thing I want to say here to 4 Lions is understand your strengths and market yourself properly as I have not seen anyone thinking so much before designing a track and provide so many avenues to learn from them daily.