Machines don’t work for content

I would not say that it is a trend that came only in 2017 but we did get to see more mythological shows than anything else in the soap dish. The producers started making these changes a few years back, but it has come to the fore this year with almost all shows in this genre being shot in a similar manner.

I don’t understand why there is a need for such kind of experimentation when we can do so much more with content. It is not as if there is lack of talent or creativity. The problem lies in everyone wanting to cash-in on one track if it has worked.

Take, for example, a festival. If the entire nation is celebrating Diwali, each show has to have the same track. Where is the needIJ Why introduce it in the first placeIJ All that the makers end up doing is being repetitive. Even the leads end up looking the same — similar make-up, different saree — but the end result is the same, saas-bahu drama with family politics.

We seriously need to experiment and be adventurous about content. There is no need to be afraid of being out of work for long. That is one of the main reasons why some serials are dragged for years. The industry players fear that they will not get work if their show is over. But that is incorrect. If one comes up with good content and story, the viewers will watch it. There have been enough shows on TV that have broken the stereotype and done extremely well for themselves.

Where is the need for a show to have 2,500 episodes and still be on air when the story has lost its significanceIJ One should have seasons like you have in the West. Friends had a great run and there are other shows that did and are doing well — they are fresh and entertain the viewers.

I am not saying copy the West since our viewers are different. But we must experiment and be adventurous. We don’t have to have a similar storyline for all serials.

Humare yahan bhedh chaal hai. When Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was first aired, it was fresh and then what happenedIJ All the daily soap followed it. The viewer is mature today and wants to see shows that are different in genre. Give the viewers a choice and the director and scriptwriter to their job. Why should the channels dictate what needs to be aired and what track to play outIJ

Then there is crime, drama, mystery, horror, sci-fi and satire. When we do make shows on these lines, there are all the same, be it Crime Patrol, CID and Savdhaan India. Also, there is need for more shows that cater to men and the young teen. All that you have in the name of childrens’ programmes is cartoons which mostly are foreign imports.

The difference between shows aired in the West and India is the budget. Shows made outside have a much wider market. Unlike India, they have seasons like 24. People in India work like machines, so content is bound to take a back seat.

— As told to Shalini Saksena