To beat COVID-19 blues and give a feel of the good old days, several shows like Ramayan, Mahabharat and Shaktimaan are being re-telecast. MUSBA HASHMI tells you why they are still in demand
The silver lining in the grey clouds of the Coronavirus pandemic is that it has brought families closer. So much so that DD National found it the right time to go back in time and bring back all the family dramas or to be precise classics that had people glued to their sets. Back in the 80s and 90s, it was an era when people would eagerly wait for their favourite shows. It was nothing short of a festivity and puja for some when they would do aarti of the TV sets as soon as Ramayan was aired.
From mythological shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat to fantasy ones like Alif Laila, to dramas like Circus to superheroes series like Shaktimaan, there’s something for everyone to watch during this lockdown and keep them entertained.
Nitish Bhardwaj, who played Lord Krishna in Mahabharat, says that the reason why the millenials too are glued to their TV screens in the re-telecast of these shows is because of curiosity.
“The millennials are wondering why their parents were praising these serials so much, what is there that makes them stand out. This curiosity has attracted the attention of the younger generation towards the re-telecast,” he says.
Another reason is that the storyline is relevant even today and hence fresh. “The value systems and the drama of human relationships in these serials is relevant for all times. The human conflict and struggle has in fact increased over the last 30 years and this makes Mahabharat even more identifiable,” Bhardwaj tells you.
There is a difference, he says, in the shows that were made then and now. “People nowadays call their shows factory-line ‘soaps’ whereas our shows were and still are ‘designer products’ which cater to both classes and masses,” he adds.
Mukesh Khanna, who played Shaktimaan says that good work remains good even if you watch it after 30 years down the line. “Gold will always remain gold, no matter after how long you dig it. That was a period of creativity. You name any show from those days and it is still as good. Shows now have lost essence. One reason for this may be the daily telecast,” he says.
He tells you that the re-telecast of these shows was next to impossible but now that it has happened, it is time to cheer up. “Back then, when Mahabharat used to come on TV, everyone was hooked to their screens and it looked like a curfew situation on the roads. Then with the emergence of more and more channels, the variety of content increased manifold. It looked impossible that these shows will ever come back because of the varied taste of the audience. I could have never imagined that there will be a time when the whole country will sit and watch Mahabharat or for that matter Shaktimaan again. But it happened and whosoever cae up with this idea to relive the 90s should be appreciated.
This will not only beat the boredom of the 21-day lockdown but will also instill in people the value of relationships that was slowly being lost. Moreover, the younger generation will get a taste of their culture and tradition which is the need of the hour,” Khanna tells you.
Khanna hopes that the re-telecast of such shows will bring about a change in the TV industry and that makers would now start coming up with concept that will stay relevant even after three decades years.
“I hope that this change will come and the makers will realise that the audience wants something fresh but it will depend on how long the lockdown period stays. People have the tendency to forget what they learnt once they come out of that phase. People should stop repeating content and think of newer concepts. One track is copied by multiple shows and as a result, 80 per cent has low TRPs,” he says.
Apart from the fact that technology has evolved, Khanna hasn’t see any positive change in the TV industry. “All these years, I feel that TV has degraded a lot. Yes, not to mention there are a lot of people who are working extremely hard, the otherwise quality of things have degraded. People have started twisting history. They want to give a modern twist to everything which can’t and shouldn’t happen because then it doesn’t showcase our culture. The essence gets lost. Not everything can be modernised especially mythological shows. This is the reason why many such shows failed to leave a mark,” he says and gives a hint that the audience will get to see Shaktimaan Season 2, bigger and better soon.