SANGEETA YADAV brings you a report of two shows that had to change their name. One, because of religious objection, and the other just to add more thrill to the goings on
When the promos of the new show Gurbani: Ishq Da Kalma were first aired, viewers were excited. And why not! The pretty damsel Gurbani, played by newcomer Shefali Sharma, was all over the sarson ke khet in Punjab. But even before the much publicised show could gain steam after inaugurating on Colors on March 18, 2013, the viewers were taken aback by the title change. It was not Gurbani as the promotionals said. It was Bani: Ishq Da Kalma.
The reason for this last-minute change in titleIJ A few Sikh organisations like Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Amritsar, and Jathedar of Akal Takht, objected to the word Gurbani being used as a title. Colors was quick to plug the damage, clarifying that the title was no meant to irk any religious sentiment and that it was being changed forthwith.
This is not the first time a TV channel has made changes of this sort. Changed name of shows, abrupt shut downs or introducing an entirely new track to spice up a serial are all very common.
Take 26/12 on life OK. Since the mission is over, the producers of the show have decided to come up with an entirely different one and a new title but with the same protagonist. The promos show a sequence in which antagonist Shahana (Shikha Singh) points a gun towards Rashmi (Tesjaswi Wayangankar) and Randeep (Maninder Singh) at a flyover. Rashmi, then takes the gun from Randeep and shoots Shahana.
“Rashmi who played the vulnerable girl, eventually had to pick up the gun and shoot Sahana. Till now, they were trying to figure out what 26/12 was all about. They realised that it was not a date but to plot 12 terror attacks in 26 States,” Shikha Vij, the creative head of the show, explains. “Now we are doing an entire episode on the exposure of this serial terror attack and, at the same time, we will introduce a new threat in the maha episode that will telecast today. The death of Sahana is not the end of the terror threat but the beginning of a new plan called 26/13,” Vij says.
So what are the twists awaiting the audienceIJ For one, Rashmi will be on a mission to foil the attacks and her relationship with Randeep will have a new take. A love triangle will be introduced. “There is another girl that we are planning to introduce but it is still to be finalised,” Vij reveals.
The producers say that every thriller needs to have a proper beginning, a middle and an end. There is an interval as well. The transition that one will get to see in 26/12 is that interval. “For us, it’s the interval. Post interval, a new phase and a bigger threat of 26/13 will start. One can call it Season 2. But there is no break unlike in other shows. There is no leap happening. The transition is going to be smooth after the shooting scene. Rashmi too will be injured and taken to the hospital. From Monday a, new chapter will begin,” Vij adds.
“Most viewers considered 26/12 as the terror date and related it to the Mumbai terror attacks. Post 26/12, they felt that the show had outgrown its purpose. But the story is completely different. Thus, the story created the suspense of 12 terror attacks in 26 States.
In the promos also, Randeep says, ‘Kya hai yeh 26/12IJ Ek tarik, ek samay ya phir kuch aurIJ’ The change of title and plot happened not because the year changed but to spice up the show,” Tejaswi explains.
Rated at 0.9 TRP from March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013, the show aims to grab more eyeballs with this transformation. “There is definitely scope to improve. The show has become rather popular in the thriller genre. Though TRP depends upon the channel’s reach and time spent, the channel and production team are working hard to increase the TRPs,” Vij says.
There are rumours that the story will revolve around the journey of Rashmi who is now more confident and stronger. Jedda, who has played a negative character till now, will turn out to be an SIU (Intelligence agency) officer. Randeep too is an SIU officer. If this was not enough even Rashmi will end up becoming an SIU agent. All the three will be heading the project to avert 26/13. The clues to unravel the plot lies in three different locations.
Meanwhile, Shikha Singh, aka Sahana says that she has enjoyed being a part of the show but everything good has to end some day. “I have given the show my best even though it is sad that my part is coming to an end. “The new season, I am sure will be just as popular as 26/12,” Singh tells you adding that change is always good not only for the viewers but also for the actors especially during the IPl season.
“The TRP of most shows fall. To sustain it, every show is coming up with some interesting twists. 26/13 will be able to add to the thrill quotient with plenty of romance thrown in,” Singh says, signing off.