Short End

Ever since the concept of mega serials creeped into the Indian television industry, there have been several records set in terms of longest running television shows. Amongst the longest, Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma which started airing from July 2008, is still going strong followed by shows such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and so many which have easily completed over 1000 episodes. Cinemala in Malayalam ran for 20 years. In Kannada, Puttagowri Maduve and Agnisakshi top the charts. However, unlike the record running shows, several others falter in the beginning stage and even fail to complete 100 episodes, and some end abruptly without any notice as audience keep wondering on their sudden absence from air. Bengaluru Chronicle reports.

“In the initial days of television when Doordarshan followed by private channels started making tele shows and programmes, mainly soaps, their number of episodes were limited. It used to come with specific number of episodes. It was like a movie with the appropriate number of episodes. They were never dragged despite their popularity. It was a pure work of art in the absence of race for television rating points (TRPs). When TV started making money things changed and eventually everything was based on TRPs. It is as good as the scenario of winning horses that stay in the race and the losers are shown the doors,” says writer and senior critic Sharan.

For instance, one of the biggest budget serials in Kananda —Girija Kalyana ended abruptly despite its popularity with over 143 episodes. The talented director Naveen Krishna, son of popular Kannada actor Srinivas Murthy on his serial ending abruptly, explains that his work won the hearts of Kannada audience for its content and its making quality but due to low television rating, the channel decided to end it. He later went on to direct the popular serial Pattedari Pratibha.

Recently, Sri Vishnu Dashavataara directed by the popular Dheeraj Kumar of Creative Eye, made with the best of graphics and making has come to an end. According to sources, the serial became another victim to TRPs along with other reasons. Same was the case with Maharani serial on Star Suvarna, which provided opportunity to the common female audience through public auditions to play the female lead in it.

Director Santhosh concludes by explaining that the competition has become very tough. “While TRPs is the major concern, the number of shows and programmes made at present are also another factor. If one fails, a new one takes over. In the past, the number of such shows were very low and hence almost every serial made survived for sometime before it went off air,” he signs off.