Tag Archives: Hum Paanch

Two mantras of longevity – Leap and Season 2. Which is better?

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Indian Television has grown in leaps and bounds in the last decade or should we say has grown in “Leaps” literally and is currently witnessing new era of “Season 2”.

Indian Television shows taking a leap – this phenomenon seems like ages old but is still rocking. Don’t remember who introduced this concept but the idea was popularized and reinstated by undisputed queen of Indian Television Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms with her shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Audiences accepted the concept of leap as it was novel and brought in some freshness in the storyline. It added to the charm factor thereby further strengthening the viewership loyalty.

Not surprisingly though, but the concept of Season 2 of fiction shows was also slated and popularized by Ekta Kapoor with her shows like Hum Paanch, Kutumb, Kitani Mohabbat Hai. Others to join in the league were Instant Khichdi, Dil Mil Gaye, Choti Bahu, Baa Bahu Aur Baby. The concept was not that well accepted by our Television audiences initially as for ones who are used to the merry-go-round trips could not relate to viewing same characters, same actors after a time gap and that too in a new storyline altogether. These fiction shows were unable to garner similar kind of popularity in their subsequent seasonal runs thereby discouraging production houses from experimenting.

It was a positive sign when audiences started demanding for Season 2 of their favorite fiction shows, very well establishing the fact that they have matured over years and are ready for seasonal changes (if I may say so) on Television. This is what encouraged makers of Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha to be undeterred by the past performance and be the latest entrant in this list. The show is doing well on TRP which again indicates that audiences love the characters and will remain loyal if the comeback is equally strong and convincing.

And if sources are to be trusted; new shows to enter this list are Mann Ki Aawaz Pratigya, Dil Se Di Dua Saubhagyavati Bhav, Saas Bina Sasural and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge. Seems like 2013 is going to be a year of comeback of popular shows on Television and progress report of these shows will decide the fate of this concept in Indian Television.

Let’s try to explore which of the two concept is better – Leap or Season 2.

In today’s time, leap is ubiquitous part of storylines of all successful shows. So much so that, instead of being an ace in the hole, it has became more of a marketing gimmick deployed to combat low TRP’s. TRP’s are down; introduce a leap. And how? Very simple. Induce fights between the most compatible of couples on silliest of things; show them separated by either of one – devil, destiny or doom; start the leap with separation; create situations for umpteen unsuccessful encounters between the lead pair and a high voltage drama on their final rendezvous… And there you have the TRP. Or better still keep the lead pair together; show their all sanskari child grown up to match steps with the negative characters in the show; lead pair struggle to save their child from doom… And there you have the TRP. But then the story begins to drags again making way for yet another leap.

Reason for leap in shows varies but don’t you agree that today almost all leaps have a similar beginning. And this medicine now tastes acrid due to over dosage. Think just like family dramas, we have had enough of leap drama as well. Seems instead of exploring new avenues in storyline, we have found respite in the shortcut – leap for regaining TRP’s. But then it is not only the production houses to be blamed for.

According to Ekta Kapoor  “If channels tell me today that we don’t want a leap and we’ll give you a three-month break and you start from where you leave the story, I will not do a leap”. She insists that in the absence of a break, a leap is the only way out to bring freshness in serials. Most genuine concern of our channel partners is that only one out of four fiction shows actually succeeds, so why give it a season’s break and run the risk of not getting the audiences back in such competitive times.

Actors believe that coming up with seasons in the show is an advantage as they get a break in between and then start afresh again. Even as an audience I feel that instead of dragging a show for years by introducing multiple leaps and end it on a meaningless note with low TRP’s shows with successful stint should take a break and come back with a more crisper and better storyline. Obviously a fresh mind will be able to churn out more ingenuity then one being hackneyed. By doing so, we also eliminate the risk of shows being packed up due to work off requirements of leading actors of our dailies (as was the case with Saas Bina Sasural, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge).

Starting a fresh storyline in Season 2 or starting it with a leap for us it works both the ways. Only proposition is that all Seasons should be well planned and be able to deliver wholesome entertainment to the audiences as its forerunner. Indian audiences are addicted to shows and find solace in trials and tribulations of characters they relate to. Thus whether leap or seasons – give us something fresh and novel.

Leaps to be replaced with Season 2!! What a conspicuous idea? Which do you think is better – Leap or Seasons? Do let us know your views and comments on Twitter-iDubba and set reminders for your favorite shows on iDubba app..

Ek Thhi Naayka to bring many veteran actors back; Ekta, Vishal to make acting debut

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[To set reminder and check TV schedule of Ek Thhi Naayka click here...]

We have seen old shows being packed up and new shows coming up for entertainment and TRPs. We have seen Bollywood actors’ coming to our daily soaps for promotion of their upcoming movies. But have you ever heard of a mini television series being launched exclusively for promotion of an upcoming film. Well, indeed a novel concept and from the one who is known to do the unexpected, Ekta Kapoor.

Be it for creating history with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahanni Ghar Ghar Kii which broke all TRP records or be the one to occupy top 4 slots in Television’s 1000 episodes elite club and have 6 shows to appear in this list out of the 13. Be it filming the most expensive shot in the history of Indian Television (death scene of Ansh Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi had costed approximately Rs. 5,00,000 of a single shot) or being the first one to bring most sensuous scenes on Indian Television through her show Bade Acche Lagte Hain or be it redefining love stories with her shows like Kahiin To Hoga, Kasautii Zindagii Kii, Kasamh Se, Pavitra Rishta, Pyaar Kii Ye EK Kahanni. Be it re-introducing the concept of leap and implementing the same in style in her shows or be it introducing concept of season 2 for her shows on public demand (shows like Hum Paanch, Kutumb and Kitani Mohabaat hai) Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms has done it all for Indian Television and every time in a style that is par excellence.

Adding yet another feather in her cap, Ekta Kapoor has tied up with Vishal Bharadwaj, ace music and movie director, to launch a promotional 16 episode series titled Ek Thhi Naayka for their upcoming thriller movie Ek Thi Daayan. The movie stars Emraan Hashmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Huma Qureshi and Kalki Koechlin in lead roles. The movie is scheduled to release on April 18, 2013. The movie is produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Vishal Bhardwaj and Rekha Bhardwaj. As per Ekta, the movie is folklore and is not a true story.

EK Thhi Naayka is a big ticket promotional series and will have 8 different horror stories based on the witches from the film. In each story we will see televisions and Ekta Kapoor’s 8 favourite mahanayika’s. They are Smriti Irani, Sakshi Tanwar, Shweta Tiwari, Ankita Lokhande, Kritika Kamra, Aamna Sharif, Mouli Ganguly and Pooja Gaur. In each story these TV actress will be seen waging war against demons reinstating the learning good wins over evil.

We will get to see haunted stories from different city or state in our country. Smriti will be representing Gujarat, Sakshi will be from Rajasthan, Pooja will represent Delhi, Mouli from West Bengal, Kritika from Chandigarh, Aamna and Shweta will represent UP and Ankita will be from Maharashtra. Another well planned strategy from Balaji Telefilms for garnering a pan India appeal.

If speculations are to be believed than we may once again get to see televisions most lovable onscreen Jodi, Mihir-Tulsi aka Amar Upadhyay and Smriti Irani on this show. It will be their first appearance together post Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

We understand that all actors from the film will be doing cameo in the show which is slotted to be telecasted on channel Life OK from March 09,2013 on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 pm. Acting skills of Vishal and Ekta will also be put to test as they will also be seen in cameo appearance in the series. We will get to see Vishal in first episode and Emraan in the last episode.

Undoubtedly, this is an innovative marketing plan to create a supernatural series to intentionally instill the concept of evil among audiences so that they are pulled to the theaters for more. On paper, all of it appears logical and works but will this experiment do wonders for Ekta like her earlier endeavors?

Well, we wish luck to both – the promotional strategy Ek Thhi Naayka and the movie Ek Thi Daayan. We are keeping our fingers crossed for success of this joint venture, as it will then be a defining moment for unique merger of small and big screen and will open doorway for more innovations for audiences to benefit from. Don’t miss to tell us your views, reviews and suggestions us on Twitter-iDubba and set reminders about your favorite shows on our iDubba app.

Zee TV to complete 20 Years of non-stop entertainment on 1st October!

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1st October 1992…Yes that’s the date when Zee TV was founded by Subhash Chandra and was launched in India, becoming the first Hindi satellite channel. Well you might have started calculating the number of years that Zee TV is present in India, well as the title mentions, 20 Years. Oct 1, 2012 is the date when Zee TV will be completing 20yrs, 20 Glorious years of entertaining journey. This is no doubt a big landmark in the world of television. As we speak Zee Network has a reach of over 120 countries, and boasting a viewership of 500 million people.

Until the entry of Zee TV, the Indian audiences were dependent on watching content by the public broadcaster only (DD). But with this new paradigm shift in Entertainment, Zee TV introduced daily soaps with lots of glamour and glitz, movies and entertainment shows. This gave the viewers the opportunity to watch programs on the Indian TV channels round the clock. Well with 20 long years journey, the channel has introduced variety of programs, highlighting the social issues along with providing wholesome entertainment. This glorious journey included comedy shows, daily soaps, historical epics, mini-series, tele films, Hindi movies, mythological dramas, music and song shows, and cartoons.

Let’s take a journey back in time and find out the top shows that has rule the television industry for years together:

  • Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, a singing talent hunt that focuses on all age groups. It is the most famous reality show on Zee TV, is now in its 18th year
  • Another reality show Dance India Dance has already five immensely successful editions. There is no doubt that this reality dance show has become India’s largest dance-based reality-TV show
  • Who can forget Khana Khazana? This show completed more than 880 episodes being telecasted nonstop for 17 years every week – the longest running TV show in any category on any channel. And recently Zee TV has launched Zee Khana Khazana India’s first 24-hour Food Channel
  • Hum Paanch was first aired in 1995. It was a story of a middle-class white-collar worker, Anand Mathur, who always finds himself in trouble because of his five daughters Meenakshi, Radhika, Sweety, Kajal, and Chhoti
  • Tara was an Indian soap opera and was known as the first ever Indian soap on contemporary urban women, and was the first Hindi language drama series that ran for about 5 years. Navneet Nishan was the main lead of this successful show
  • Zee Horror Show was a TV series presented by Ramsay Brothers in the period 1993-1998. Zee Horror Show was a very popular program in the 90s. It featured short stories in the form of 4 to 5 episodes, each one based on suspense and horror
  • The Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest is an Indian quiz contest that began on April 12, 1972. Sponsored by Cadbury India, it is one of India’s most famous quiz contests. Originally held live in cities across the country, it later became a radio show and then, in June 1992, a television show on Zee TV
  • Antakshari was yet another popular show on Zee TV. It started way back in 1994, and Annu Kapoor was the host of this show. It gained a lot of popularity and had couple of new versions of the shows like Titan Antakshari and Antakshari – Intercollegiate Championship

Well the list is endless, but we are sure that as a viewer you might have many other favorite shows and lots of memories attached with Zee TV. Well no doubt that in these last 20 years many channels have come and gone, but Zee has always maintained high standards. Well it can be seen that Innovation and quality of programs are the foremost reasons for the popularity of Zee TV Hindi programs.

Which is your favorite show of Zee TV in last 20 years?

Happy Zeeing ;) Viewing :)

Where is the humor? (Comedy shows drying up on Indian TV)

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If you are also not able to find humor in our comedy shows then you are definitely in the category where people are waiting for good and ‘clean’ comedy on Indian television and if you have already find it then please share what I am missing. Oh yes… and if in case you ask me to switch on to latest shows on SAB TV then I agree there are two or three good shows which are worth giving time like Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah and recently launched R.K. Laxman Ki Duniya. However all the remaining shows fail to impress even a bit.

Apparently the Indian Television industry was expected to grow over 500 billion by the end of 2011 and currently it has over 500 channels broadcasted. But I still find dearth of substance in our tv shows. For example comedy shows which are my all time favourite are definitely way too below the level of good comedy or sitcom shows. Let us take a look at the journey of Indian television in terms of comedy shows in last 28 years.

Yeh Jo hai Zindagi was India’s first sitcom aired in 1984 on Doordarshan. The show written by comedy writer Sharad Joshi was such a huge hit that even box-office openings in cinemas were affected due to the airing of the show because it aired on Friday nights. Then came the ‘era’ in 1993 of two most widely admired comedy shows ever in the history of Indian television: Dekh Bhai Dekh and Zabaan Sambhalke. I am sure that these two names certainly brings a big smile on everyone’s face and those unforgettable characters like Balraj Diwan (Navin Nischol), Samir Diwan (Shekhar Suman), Gareema (Deven Bhojani), Mohan Bharti (Pankaj Kapoor) and many other became an integral part of our lives. Within two years Doordarshan launched another hilarious comedy Srimaan Srimati in 1995 that gave India one of its favourite characters ‘Dilruba’. Simultaneously Zee TV launched its most popular comedy show till date Hum Paanch in 1995. Another hit show Padosan was launched on DD Metro in 1998. All these have left a legacy behind them and I can’t find any show matching up to their level currently or in these all years.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujLsdMlD2GI&feature=showob]

In modern day classics i can count Office Office easily which was launched in 2001 on SAB TV. This hugely popular and admired sitcom was based on corruption and bribery in public offices. The story revolved around Mussadilal (Bollywood actor Pankaj Kapoor) who was often harshly greeted by the corrupt officials. “Mussadilal” was the favourite character of viewers for a very long period and we remember him fresh as ever even now.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfESPVAB5nM&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5332B2746E9F6861]

Now coming back to today’s topic of this post “Why comedy shows are drying up on Indian television”? Honestly after all these years finally in 2005 I thought that there is a chance that Indian comedy can get back to track when a new reality comedy show “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge” was launched. The Star One’s laughter show won millions of hearts and before we knew there were four seasons in their kitty. The laughter challenge gave way to all these shows on “Comedy Circus” that are aired on Sony TV regularly. However the quality of the comedians and their so called “punches” has deteriorated immensely. In terms of another blogger whose post I read the other day “the contestants of these shows grew up with time and became big-time perverts”. The reality comedy shows today are nothing but a sign toward the hypocrisy of Indian television that call these laughter shows full of double-meaning jokes family shows.

So what is the exact reason? Are we short of good comedy writers, or we are short of good character artists who can do good comedy or it is just the mindset that is not able to accept some clean and good talent? Tell us your views if you have answer to these questions. :)