Author: Khalid Musanna

The idiot box ran wild almost for eight years, but thank God, prayers have been answered at the end- though it took a little longer! For Indian man, it was a comforting moment, since the longest soap ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ came to an end to rescue him from ever growing belligerent of his woman.

I remember few instances, where I was put to wait for a live cricket action over the away from reality- close to admonishing our own household culture, show on television.

The story of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ never seemed to be penned down over a thought; rather it looked as if one end of the thread knotted to a new piece of string which differentiated it altogether- never looked one piece. On several occasions the story was turned, straightened, moved and rounded to fit the demands of the women audience- needless to mention who were watching.

The big question which comes in mind, is there a scarcity of soap-writers, good story-tellers or creative screenwriters? Going by the early days of television when Doordarshan had the monopoly, there were numerous soaps that touched the chord of human emotions, to name a few, Buniyaad, Hum Log, Neem Ka Ped and Malgudi Days. They certainly not enjoyed a very the advancement of technology- picture quality, but every one agrees they either enriched the culture or drained the ill-customs- in the case of ‘KSBKBT’ it prevailed.

Television viewing get boost up in the late 90’s when communication revolution entered India, it opened a new horizon, hundreds of channels opened and a new tussle started in the air. When there is a competition in the market, it becomes a norm to put the profits-TRP, on the front and social cause at the back seat.

In the case of ‘KSBKBT’ it appears true; to advance in the race ‘Star Plus’ compromised its long stay on the channel and even telecasted the soap- opera, twice in the day- prime time and re-telecast of the same episode in the day. There was no remedy for cure! As its viewer-ship base was women.

The reason for its grand success constitutes two reasons: first, culturally a larger pie of hours of an Indian woman goes under the walled house and secondly, the larger than life characters in the soap- dressed in fancy clothes, make-up, party’s et al, easily created its place in their minds- we know woman loves looking good and ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ fed this appetite of our woman.

Off late, ‘Star Plus’ observed its TRP going down, under constrains and pressure from other quarters, it was refrained to pull the show off…but later it desisted to carry on the show and fight between the channel and the show producer reached court. On Monday, November 3 Bombay High Court dismissed the producer’s plea for an injunction halting the serial’s cancellation.

With this came an end to the one of the top-rated soap on Indian small screen and also it brought a full stop to ‘Husband and Wife’ squabble.