Actors lose out to TRPs

Every time a new soap is launched, a new face is introduced. But a few months into the show and the lead actor is soon replaced. Call it a bid to increase TRPs or to create a whiff of change with a time leap or a makeover that will keep viewer interest going, but this is fast becoming a trend on TV.

Miley Jab Hum Tum, a teen romance and love story set in college will take a three-year leap, its sets will be revamped and four new characters will be introduced while a few from the pre-makeover days will be done away with. Incidentally, the show's ratings have been falling lately. And while Miley ... is undergoing some major changes, in Rang Badalti Odhani, Rucha Gujarati has replaced Priyanka Chiber as Natasha. Earlier, Barkha Bisht had replaced Neha Saxena in Sajan Ghar Jana Hai while the Tere Mere Sapne lead actor Saurabh Pande lost his job to Yash Pandit. A few months ago, Bandini too was given a cast makeover with a five-year leap.

Sudhir Sharma, producer of Miley Jab Hum Tum, says, "Makeovers, mini leaps and replacements are nothing new. Thanks to competition, the lifespan of a show has come down. To retain viewers' interest you need to refresh content by making appropriate changes."

He explains that the soap has completed 400 episodes and needed a drastic change. "The story had started stagnating. So we decided to make it more contemporary," he says, admitting this move was made to increase TRPs.

Producer Yash Patnaik of Rang... says, "Unlike films, TV is an everyday medium. Despite all the planning, things change as the story progresses. Sometimes an actor doesn't suit the part when the character starts growing. We had to replace Priyanka with Rucha because she was no longer the right fit for the role."

Producer-director Sumeet Mittal, says, "We replaced Neha Saxena with Barkha Bisht as Dhani in Sajan Ghar Jana Hai as when Dhani became a dacoit, Neha couldn't carry off the role."

Yash and Sumeet admit that apart from technical reasons, there are several other unforeseen reasons for replacements. "Some times actors quit shows either because of monotony or dissatisfaction with their roles. Long working hours, date problems and starry tantrums are other reasons," says Sumeet.

For instance, Saurabh Pande is said to have lost his job because of a starry attitude though Saurabh claims he was replaced because he requested for a script in advance. But whatever it is, the changes — be it a replacement, a makeover or a time leap — are all meant for TRPs. "It is done in the interest of ratings," admits Sudhir.

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