The entry of Balika Vadhu, exit of Saas Bahu

The tele producers (Ekta Kapoor & Balaji Telefilms) has finally decided to pull the plug on the 8 year long Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. According to the producers this move was pre-planned as the script demanded so. But if TRPs are something to be believed, then it is the new serial Balika Vadhu currently being aired on Colors has eaten a big pie from the Kunki Saas’s drooping Television Rating Point (TRP).

Forget the ancient, typical, over hyped Saas - Bahu’s who were only fond of glycerine, and welcome the sweet Balika Vadhu who fills the TV screen with liveliness during the prime time slot from 8 to 8.30 p.m. Feeling the pulse of the large TV viewing audience who were already bored with the over acting of Smriti Irani as the archetypal Bahu in Kyunki Saas…and with the ongoing, never ending drama of reality shows, the producers in Colors channel thought it as the right time to launch Balika Vadhu. And they were absolutely right with their research and planning.

The result is evident from the latest TRPs of the Balika Vadhu show released by TAM. The show has managed to receive a rating of 4.60 for channel Colors, which is worth appreciating. The show has become so popular in such a short span that the channel has decided to do two repeat telecasts a day - at 11 p.m. the same day and at 2 p.m. the next.

The storyline of Balika Vadhu deals with a sweet and bubbly child bride called Anandi, who is married off to a young boy called Jagdish. Although set in an arid, rural Rajasthan, the serial is a relief for the TV audience whose eyes were dazzled by the extravagant set, loud make-up and ravishing sarees and jewellery, part of the nautankis from Ekta Kapoor stable.

Apart from the real life and controlled acting from the all the stars of Balika Vadhu that include Surekha Sikri, Anoop Soni, Smita Bansal and Bhairavi Raichura, the cinematography is worth mentioning. Special mention must be made about the 10-year-old girl Avika Gor, who plays the role of Anandi. She is a perfect casting for the role of Anandi done by Purnendu Shekhar, the writer and director of the serial. Interestingly, Purnendu Shekhar wrote the script of Balika Vadhu for a film in 1992.

The serial has created such popularity and awareness among the general TV viewing audience that the media (equally newspaper and TV) has already started to compare it with the masterpieces like Tamas and Godan that was once aired on Doordarshan (DD).

Reality of Reality Shows

14 year old Neera was waiting anxiously, exhausted and hungry outside an audition centre in a metropolitan city. She had come with her mother to take part in an audition for a popular T.V reality show that is to be aired on a national entertainment channel. She was holding her mother’s hand tightly anticipating the final result of her performance.

This result can become the first step towards the glamorous stardom. Everyone is throwing their best to reach that stardom, but very few can actually reach that place. The lucky one who reaches that point is hailed as the best and is idolised by all and also by those who could not achieve that coveted place. And the one who cannot reach that place, although staying just one step behind is termed as potentially weak. A term that has the potential to wreck a youngster’s aspiration, and morale.

Unable to bear the pressure of a reality show, Neera gives up and suddenly collapses on the ground. Her mother who was earlier trying to calm Neera’s nerve now herself becomes nervous and shouts for help. But no one comes to her rescue as all the participants and their parents are waiting for the result. She cries for help several times, when one of the volunteers for the show turns up and assist Neera with water.

This is a very common sight in most of the reality show venues at this moment. Reality show is buzzing in the entertainment industry. Whether it is a dance show such as Jhum tara na, Dhoom Machale le or Nach Baliye, singing show such as Indian Idol, Sa Re Ga Ma, Star Voice of India Chhote Ustad or Star Voice of India or other adult reality show like MTV roadies or Big Boss all attract huge (Television Rating Points) TRPs for the entertainment channels like Sony, Star Plus, Etv, Zee Bangla, Zee TV etc. The basic fact is, in an era where TRPs and SMSes rule the game, well planned reality shows are spinning money for the producers, which is a factor that motivates many others to join the race.

Hate it or like it reality shows are ruling the prime time of TV viewing. Such shows has even pushed back political quarrel that are often staged in the news channels between political leaders. Moreover major events in a popular reality show are aired as BREAKING NEWS in all national English and Hindi news channels.

Now in this situation how can parents only sit back and enjoy such shows in their comfy atmosphere at home and do not push their children into the fire of reality shows. How can they miss the opportunity of proudly announcing in front of the T.V reporters that their son or daughter is the winner and how much sacrifice they have done to achieve this?

In this allure of a reality show many young participants like Neera becomes the victims and they are the only one who truly realise the reality of such shows.