Herd mentality has been very common on television as trends become repeated, followed and copied. If one thing works, then every show has to follow it! Take the example of the recent overhyped consummation scene in Bade Acche Laggte Hai! Before you know it, every show is following the trend showing bolder scenes along the same lines. If Akshara's miscarriage leads to higher TRP's, then other actresses too are seen having miscarriages in their show.

A few shows like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Remix, Sasural Genda Phool, Baa Bahu Aur Baby-Season 2, Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, etc have been trendsetters as they have broken the current norm and created content which was very different from what was running on television at that time. Yet, how many producers and channels are willing to take that risk? We speak to some of our industry's biggest producers and directors to get their thoughts on the herd mentality that dominates television today...

Rajan Shahi: Following safe patterns does happen because in today's time of instability people want to play safe bets, sometime different shows give you critical acclaim but no TRP, so lot of shows are rehash of some other hit show!
in recent time Bade Ache Laggte Hai, has been a trend setter as it got fresh and new character and made story of middle age protagonist a trend, it is a unique story with brilliant thought behind it!

Aatish Kapadia: Herd mentality is a trend and this trend has been followed widely, it is an age old tradition from cinema itself. It takes few pioneer to come up with a total new concept and use their own talent and innovation. Risk taking should come from both ends-the producer and the audiences!
The recent trend setter in daily soap's is Balika Vadhu, which came up with a total new concept!


Jd Majethia: Herd Mentality is a version of trend which is followed from the cinema times. everyone likes to follow the way to success, infact stands the only aim for the producer. so following a particular trend stands on harm neither given the word Repetition, taking into consideration what the population actually wants! Genres work is seen only where there is inspiration to come up with new, and when such minds work out they become trend!
Ballika Vadhu, Bade Acche Laggte hai and Taarak mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are the trend setters in the television industry in the recent times!

Palki:Herd mentality is largely followed for the reason trends, as trends are the one which are ruling the country! Producers and Directors believe very much in following trends rather than come up with new experiments. nothing either is wrong following these trends when it is the one which leads to success keeping in mind whether it pleases the audience and working out in the industry! and following herd mentality at an end stands safe to be followed to by the producers!
The shows which have been trend setters according to me are Balika Vadhu and Crime Patrol: Dastak, which have both come up with a totally new and fresh concept and both shows are doing great on Television as well as on the TRP charts too!


Reporter and Author-Krishma Solanki.