The other day I was online on youtube and caught some episodes of the usual saas-bahu saaga that seems to be so popular in India these days. The show started with a believable enough story but as it progressed, it got more and more unbelievable. The story moves at a snail's pace and I am, at this point, thoroughly annoyed with the main characters. That does not bode well for a series...
It makes me sad to see these shows today rampant on TV when I have grown up with shows like Nukkad, Intezaar, Karamchand, etc. which were truly lovely little gems... Some of my favourites were Honee Anhonee, Karamchand, Air Hostess, Mr. Yogi, Kacchi Dhoop, Indradhanush, Trishna, Isi Bahane, Kashish, Rishtey to name a few. They each actually had a story, a plot that moved along with each episode which we eagerly waited for and were all unique in their own way.
I am sad about what I perceive to be a regression in television - if we could produce these gems in the 80s and 90s why are we having such a tough time today? Hopefully the 2000s are just a small detour before we get back on track.
Nice blog! I totally agree with your point of view on the new serials on Indian channels these days... the sad thing is these days I see a LOT of people loving these shows!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anuya - yeah I am also appalled at the fan following of some of these shows :)
ReplyDeleteI am amused esply at the extremity in characters...It is always a dripping-honey n' fig perpetually sacrificing-hopelessly good person Vs Satan personified people whoz only pasttime is to scheme and concoct more evil...quite ridiculous...never a shade of gray anywhere :p
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Blogging space V! :)
I completely agree Hmm.. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, when something critical happens the camera has to zoom in with deafening music on to each and every person's face to show the various reactions of the protagonists!!
TV is an escapist medium for a lot of folks- one where fantasy is played out in the form of idealism, romance, hatred, bicker etc...they also harp on the good v/s evil dimension which culturally we're all fed on...
ReplyDeleteI agree Ajith - in real life, people are rarely all good or evil like the bhabhi or step-sibling who is out to get the rest of the family that is super good - ha ha.
ReplyDeleteloved your writing, but had to comment on this one, the kids are asleep and for a change i am not a sleep the reason being i wanted to check facebook and then youtube to see if there are any new updates on the serial i have been so religiously watching Choti Bahu. I totally agree with you on all the points above, they are very slow, the extremity in characters and the zoom with the camera. But the truth is there are some good serials going on, with good dialogs, songs, cast. I think its finally how one relates to the story, the characters and what they get out of it. And the thing about serials in the 80's and 90's. I loved them too, but I loved them then, if i had to watch them now, i think i would have a different opinion. will talk to you soon:))
ReplyDeletebtw, the comment was from me Mamata, i am sure Sunil will be shocked to see the response under his name
ReplyDelete@Mamata - Welcome to my blog :)
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that some of the TV shows from the 80s and 90s would not be relevant or funny today, there are certain timeless ones too (for instance I saw Rishtey again on www.rajshri.com last week and it was great catching up on this short story series).
Regarding Choti Bahu, I have to confess that I did find certain aspects of the story very charming - like the innocent love between the protagonists, Radhika's complete and utter devotion to Lord Krishna and the songs etc. I am waiting for when the story will get a push and move forward.
VP they will get together, but for people like me who are hopeless about the love between the 2 its nice to see any kind of interaction. I think the union will only be well worth the wait. I need to watch Rishtey, i don't remember seeing it growing up, you see you are much younger and i guess i must have missed it.
ReplyDelete