DC:A year of fresh variety shows-PR

If 2008 saw the end of the 'K' sagas and 2009 was the year of quality and issue-based content, then 2010 saw variety and freshness. While family dramas and their hapless protagonists got a thumbs up, other shows that stood out in the clutter include Sasural Genda Phool, Pavitra Rishta, Pratigya, Kaali and Maryaada. Sasural... was a breath of fresh air. A story of a middle class boy getting married to a rich brat, it defied the formula of fiction and proved that viewers like good stories where serious issues are tackled positively. "What makes any show successful is a mix of good writing, casting and characterisation. Sasural... took viewers by surprise, and when they warmed up to the characters, it clicked," says Star India's executive creative director Vivek Bahl. Pavitra Rishta went through the ritual of marriage, separation, love pangs, reunion and remarriage but stood rock solid against Bidaai as the number one fiction show. Despite its disrespect for women, Pratigya stood out for its protagonist's fight for justice in a family of crass men. If Pavitra... was Zee's channel driver, Pratigya was Star Plus' star performer. Given its 11 pm slot, Kaali may not have scored on rating charts, but it boldly addressed sexual harassment. Apparently inspired by the real life incident of Ruchika Girhotra, Kaali potrays the fight between a teenage girl and a powerful mafia don. After a long run of vamps ruling the roost, both Kaali and Pratigya changed the focus to male villains. Maryaada, a late night adult daily, shows women breaking out of suppression in a male-dominated household. Says writer and co-producer Mrinal Jha of Kaali, "TV is gradually heading towards variety in fiction. But it's too early to say because everyone is still not experimenting yet."

All snippets by A L Chougule

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/supplementary/year-fresh-variety-shows-628