We can keep talking about which shows became successful this year and which ones surprisingly successful. However, there are some shows which may not have been a ‘hit’ when it comes to numbers, but certainly managed to break several stereotypes on Indian television.
And the year of 2016 would certainly be remembered as the year of revolution and change on Indian television.
We list down 6 shows that broke stereotypes and changed the manner in which we watch Indian television.
Naamkarann : This Star Plus show, since day one, was promoting the fact about how it has one of the most novel concepts breaking several stereotypes in Indian society! A little girl, Avni (Arsheen Naamdar) struggling to have her father’s name, Ashish (Viraf Phiroz Patel), finally decides to take her mother’s name, Asha (Barkha Bisht Sengupta), after her father doesn’t have the guts to accept them due to his mother, Daya (Reema Laggoo).
Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant : The manner in which our category is unconventional, ‘Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant’ being able to make it to this list is unconventional too. In spite of being a sitcom, the show has managed to make it big with one of the most unorthodox concepts. A protagonist, who is a robot, entering a funnily dysfunctional family is not something we watch on Indian television everyday, do we? But, ‘…Rajni_Kant’ broke that norms and Ridhima Pandit aka Rajni broke several acting norms too.
P.O.W – Bandi Yuddh Ke : The most obvious entrant in this list, ‘P.O.W. – Bandi Yuddh Ke’ has not only broken several norms and stereotypes, but has been one of the revolutionary shows on Indian television. Apart from the show’s nature being avant-garde, the sheer fact that a show like ‘P.O.W..’ was able to air on a commercial channel like Star Plus was the change we keep talking about.
Shakti… Astitiva Ke Ehsaas Kii : It is not often that we see a stereotype-breaking show being able to commercially be successful too. Yes! The Colors TRP topper, ‘Shakti… Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii’ introduced us to a concept never-thought-of, which was a ‘kinnar’ and the struggles in her life, apart from being married to a normal guy who, though loves her, has to constantly protect her from world’s atrocities. Courtesy, Vivian Dsena and Rubina Dilaik’s amazing performances, ‘Shakti..’ broke stereotypes continuing to be a commercial potboiler.
Beyhadh : From promo number one to the latest episode, ‘Beyhadh’ has been breaking stereotypes with every passing day. A commercially successful actress accepting a risky role like that of Maya, Jennifer Winget showed us that one doesn’t need to only do arthouse work to ‘act’. Bringing in the fantastic combo of commercial eye-candy with a fantastic script and impeccable acting performances, ‘Beyhadh’ is ‘beyhadh’ successful in breaking Indian TV viewing stereotypes.
Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi : The show may have lately been a little off-the-track, but that doesn’t take away the fact how ‘Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi’ has been breaking stereotypes and continues to do so time and again. Post Dev (Shaheer Sheikh) and Sonakshi’s (Erica Fernandes) marriage, there were several moments where one thought about it being the same-old saas-bahu drama; however, the recent episodes have changed that thought. How Sonakshi continues to be individualistic and doesn’t shy away from giving her opinion on different matters in spite of receiving backlash from Maami (Alka Mogha) and Ishwari (Supriya Pilgaonkar) reiterates the fact that it is still breaking stereotypes.
While there were some other shows that attempted ‘new’ things on Indian television, the true success lies in which how that attempt is being able to marry commercial aspects.
Which one is your favourite? Leave in your comments below..