the new and improved Star Plus

Of late Star Plus has been undergoing a makeover. First it was the new logo. Then a new tag line- Rista wahi Soch Nayi.  But lets take a look if the channel is on the right track or is it overdoing it.

When the channel began with its new campaign “Rista wahi soch nayi”, it was unknown what was coming up from the channel. But of late, after seeing the new shows that are already on air as well as the shows that are about to air, it is very clear that the channel is gearing up for the young India. And in no way do they want to loosen their grip on the TRP charts.

Before going further lets take a look at the new shows that dressed the FPC of the channel. At the very onset of their campaign came Suhana with Sasuraal Genda Phool. The show was a romantic family comedy set in old Delhi. The freshness in the treatment of the show need not be mentioned again. The show rocked and it left behind all the tear jerkers, weeping behind. Then came Kali and Maryaada – two late night shows which were bold and realistic in their story as well as treatment. Both the shows had ratings that was fair to their time slot. Even the show from Balaji stable- Tere Liye, deals with a love story and thankfully there are no 20 year leaps in sight in near future.

Its not that the channel in order to cater to the young India, has forgotten their loyal family audience. This is where the channel scores again. For every Sasuraal Genda Phool, they have Saath Nibhaana Saathiya and for Tere Liye they have Gulaal. While Gulaal has a rustic setting, Saathiya is set in Mumbai, yet is revolves around the relationship between a saas and a bahu. ( And this show surprised everyone in the industry when it became the numero uno show of the country despite a very early time slot.)

Even the new shows that have been launched this weekend have a very young appeal. Infact Pyar Main Twist looks more like a Bollywood caper than a show that could be a prime time show on Star Plus. The other two shows, Luv U Zindagi as well as Wife Bina Life are also targeting the young indian audience. But at the same time, all these shows though might look youthful and fresh, they have maintained the core values that are essential to any middle class indian family. Truly ‘Rishta Wahi Soch Nayi”.

No one can beat Star Plus when it comes to programming. But I think they are overdoing their bit in promoting their new tag line. The female singing ‘ Rista Wahi Soch Nayi ‘ in every single ad beak has started sounding too irritating to the ears. Even their new ANTHEM is a major let down. Neither does the music appeal to the ears nor are the visuals any treat for the eyes. ( in fact Star Plus has some excellent videos in past be it for Star Parivaar or any other promotional purpose)

On the whole things seem to be working in the favor of the channel. the channel has once again started its ascent to the numero uno position and hopefully will be able to attain back its undisputed leadership amongst the Hindi GEC soon.

halka fulka phir bhi lazeez

Of late there has been a new genre of television shows which are ruling the trp charts on Hindi GEC.( to be precise such shows have existed before. Only thing is that they are back on the tube almost after i dont know how many years) These shows i would call as the feel good shows. There is a long list of such shows. Almost every GEC has come up with such shows. Though Colors bein an exception. ( They are happy with Dadi sa and Ammaji running their shows)

Star Plus seems to be sabse aage in this genre with two shows- Sasuraal Genda Phool and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai- topping their Trp charts. Apart from that Sony has Saas Bina Sasuraal and Baat Humari Pakki Hai. Even Zee is not behind with their show Raam Milayee Jodi.

All these shows have lots of things in common. First and foremost they have identifiable characters. There are no characters who always have a voice over running behind them and their eyes doing more talking that their lips. Also neither do we have a protagonist who seems to have all the good virtues that exist in this world making them look out of this earthy world. Here the characters are more realistically potrayed and even the leading ladies have their short coming.

Second is their treatment and plot. They do not have heavy material for drama. Though drama is an integral part of television shows, they rely more on cute/romantic scenes as well as heavy emotional scenes. They have all the elements to touch the emotional side of the indian masses. Also they rely heavily on light scenes. Or to be more precise they treat even very dramatic scenes in a very lighthearted way and hence makes the viewing enjoyable.

Third is their cast. Almost all of them have an ensemble which are so aptly fit in their respective characters that   they look almost as if they are those characters themselves. Be it Suhana from Sasuraal Genda Phool or Dosti/ Tanya from Saas Bina Sasuraal. Or even supporting cast like Rajshri from YRKKH or even Badi Baa from Raam milayee Jodi. All actors have fitted so well into thier characters that its difficult to differentiate whether you are liking the characters more or the actors.

A couple of years back, Baa Bahu aur Baby blonged to similar genre and not to forget the show was a great success. The audience has always had a liking for such shows. And with current success of such shows once again shows that such kind of shows are here to stay. After all you need break from masaledaar food....!!!

another flop in Sony's cap....!!!

When KBC was launched almost a decade ago, it changed the fortune of Star Plus. But what is more important is that the other shows also managed to catch attention and kept the cash box jingling for star. Both Kyunki and Kahaani managed to keep the attention of the viewers glued to the channel even after 9 pm.

A decade later, KBC is back. And post the show, even they have come up with 2 fiction shows - Saas Bina Sasural and Tera mujhse Hai pehle Ka Nata Koi.(they even added the word saas to the name of their show) But nothing seems to be the same as it was a decade back. Though KBC has managed to sustain its loyal viewers its two fiction shows have not managed to climb up the Trp charts.

But once the flagship show end in December what will Sony 'bank' upon. (as Sameer Nair had once said, fiction is the staple diet for ant GEC) Lets talk about their show Saas Bina Sasuraal. The show in many ways is very different from a normal GEC show in terms of treatment. I personally loved the way the show is done. Be it the look of the characters or even the way the character of the protagonist has been sketched. ( i am still confused as to what is her name in the show -Dosti or Tanya?)

Dosti is no longer always dressed up in indian clothes. No longer is she docile and submissive. On the contrary her character is more upright and smart than the male lead Tez. She represents the metro city girl who uses words like yaar and idiot. She is chirpy and bubbly. She goes out to party and even speaks in english. Oh my God - i fainted seeing Dosti on Indian television screen. Though the story has a slight resemblance to the Kareena- Akshay starer Hulchul, yet its new for the television. In terms of story and treatment, the show definitely scores. And evidently the show has enough material to keep it running for quiet a few months without deviating from the central theme.

But in terms of production value the show loses out badly. Not only the camera is bad, even the set looks really sasta and old. ( though am sure the makers will claim that they were trying to be realistic) Also the screenplay is a bit loose. The makers need to tighten the screenplay and also looks for more plots to add drama in the episode. For how long can we see the issues coming up in their marriage when we already know that the two will be getting married.

Though the show scores in many places, on the whole the show does not have the potential to become a hit show in the coming days. I dont see this show becoming the next Kahaani. On the contrary i think show will have a very small set of loyal viewers. There are times when you cant explain what is wrong but you know that something is wrong. Same goes for Saas Bina Sasural. I like a lot of elements in the show. But on the whole i dont see the show going anywhere.

It will remain a Show bina Audience.....!!!!