Attraction of foreign locales in TV serials

Shooting in foreign locations was a trend introduced in cinemas way back in the 1960s probably by Raj Kapoor, the doyen of Bollywood. The film was ‘Sangam’ and the song was ‘Around the world in eight dollars’ with Vijayantimala as his heroine. Later the fad caught on and Indian filmdom would go to different locations to shoot the sequences. And, when the heroes and heroines wriggled their bodies and danced to the music, curious onlookers would watch their antics spellbound.

Shooting in foreign locations helped in spreading plenty of messages and, in the pre internet days, provided opportunities to watch foreign movies and get ideas to convert them into a desi version. These did not fall in the category of plagiarism but were treated in the category of ‘influenced by’.
Times has changed and today copycats are caught out too soon because this is the age of the internet and it is difficult to fool the people.
But, shooting episodes of TV serials in foreign locations is an emerging trend and it is seen as a way to keep the cast happy. Or – it could be the result of arm twisting by those who matter. The quality of a TV serial is its TRP and, when TRP rises, there is happiness all around. When some important player suddenly wants to enjoy a holiday in Singapore or in California, the producer tells the script writer to modify the episodes and include romping on the beaches of California – it throws up opportunities of skin show and improves the TRP.


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Some other aspects of TV serials

Another aspect is the storyline of the serial – it has become predictable. The saas-bahu genre is old-fashioned and, it has made way for the sisterly jealousy. There are two sisters – one is a duffer and simpleton, the other is super smart.
The ‘saas-bahu’ portion has undergone immense changes in keeping with the change in social perception – today’s bahu are more vocal, they do not take things lying down and keep asserting themselves.

The families are all well-to-do and carry on business with turnover in crores, but there are no servants in the house. In rare cases, there is only one. Probably the producer does not want to pay for servants.
Then there is the main door which is always open and anyone can enter, unannounced. Most confidential matters are discussed in ‘loud whispers’ and, the ‘enemy’ is invariably behind the curtain or the door to eavesdrop.
Another interesting part of TV serials is disguising – just attach a ‘mooch’, add a large black mole on the cheek, introduce a bit of variety while speaking and, lo and behold, a new identity is born. No one, not even the near and dear ones can see through the disguise.
And – talking about divorce is common. Those who want divorce carry the papers with them wherever they go! Other common features of serials are availability of only one hospital in the neighborhood just like one single temple. And, the supersonic speed at which the actors get transported from one location to another would put Star Wars to shame. Remember the famous words - ‘Scotty, beam me up.’


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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In the wonder world of TV serials

Television has come as a blessing to the world of today by opening up the door for innumerable opportunities to make money. It is up to the individual to exploit the situation to the fullest. There are many TV channels and, most of them survive on serials which have helped generate thousands of direct and indirect employment in the form of supporting services.
Most important of these are the grooming schools. Reality shows on TV have become a craze and these embrace disciplines like singing and, dancing and, mere knowledge is not enough to guarantee a firm foothold. The participant has to have that something special to make a mark at first appearance. And, there are agencies who specialize in providing various inputs to make their journey to stardom (for some lucky ones) as smooth as possible.

When it comes to the actors and actresses, those who have made it to the celebrity status never look back and, are seen in several serials simultaneously – they keep changing their roles and a hero in one serial may appear as a villain in another. And, it does them credit that they can remember the scripts of so many serials at the same time.
Then there are the children. They have, today, become an integral part of the serials to get better TRP ratings and the effect on young impressionable minds is not good. But, the audience loves them (there was one about a friendly ghost and another one about a singer) and pampers them – a look at any awards function is proof. The worst part is that these serials, with the kids in them, are telecast in time slots when the kids are supposed to be in bed. That, unfortunately, does not happen.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Lord Shiva bamboozled by the storylines of TV serials (satire)

When the Sun goes down and quietness descends on Mount Kailash, it is time to sit down in front of the TV for the daily dose of serials that seem to go on and on without any rhyme or reason.
As usual Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga were watching one of the serials when Lord Shiva yawned, stretched his legs and reached for the packet of crispy chips. But – Durga beat him to the punch and removed the packet beyond reach of her lord.
‘Don’t do this to me,’ Shiva pleaded. ‘I know just how the story will unfold and it is tie for the ad break. I also want a break from this dull routine.’

‘I don’t think you can predict how the story will now unfold,’ Durga said. ‘The story writers are clever. They will introduce twists and turns at every step and keep you guessing.’
‘Thy must be wadding in money,’ Shiva muttered.
‘Of course,’ Durga said. ‘It is their pen that brings the TRPs. And, if the TRP drops, the writer is also dropped. Hence, a successful story writer has to keep his wits about him. He has to create the suspense so that the viewer waits for the next episode.’
‘But – why do they have these ad breaks? And – why the same ads?’
‘Actually these breaks are to give you a chance to get out of the couch and stretch your legs,’ Durga grinned. ‘Or – for me to peep into the kitchen and see if the eggs have boiled. Or – if the cake is baked.’
Usually the half-an-hour episodes of each serial has three segments – and, the time in between each segment is packed with advertisements. These range from toffee to coffee, toothpick to toothpaste and mosquito sprays to deodorant sprays.
‘I don’t understand why they have an episode every day of the week,’ Shiva sighed. ‘Don’t they need any weekly off?’
‘They have their adjustments,’ Durga explained. ‘In order to maintain morale of the actors, they go to exotic outdood locations for shooting.’
‘Exotic locations?’
‘Yes. Bengalis go to Digha or Darjeeling or Puri. And – the Hindi brigade goes to Australia or Phuket.’
‘How I long for the days of Doordarshan,’ Shiva sighed. ‘One serial every day and it has to be finished within 13 episodes. And – ad breaks were very few and far between.’
Durga also sighed.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I miss serials like Buniyaad, Udaan, Malgudi Days, and Hum Paanch.’
‘So do I,’ Shiva agreed. (to be continued …)


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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