Why Can't Indian TV Serials Air Season Wise?

Does the concept of season breaks in Indian TV serials seem foreign to you? It's a common debate among fans and producers alike. According to industry experts, the absence of proper season breaks in Indian TV serials can be attributed to various factors, including audience preference, logistical challenges, and a unique narrative approach. Let's delve deeper into this issue and explore why Indian TV serials often struggle to adapt to the concept of seasonal breaks.

Seasons in Indian Reality Shows vs. Drama Serials

Ashwini Yardi, the Head of Programming for Zee TV, sheds light on the differences in how seasons are handled in reality shows and drama serials. In reality shows, seasons are well-defined and often occur every six months or so. However, for drama serials, the situation is different. Yardi explains, 'In India, we have seasons for only reality shows. Yes, we did bring back Hum Paanch, but that can’t be called a seasonal break because it came after a pretty long time. Seasonal breaks are after almost every six months every year.'

Reasons Behind Lack of Seasonal Breaks

The question arises: why can't Indian serials, beloved by audiences, experience seasonal breaks like some Western shows? Ravi Rai, a veteran serial maker, shares his perspective on this challenge. He acknowledges, 'There is a fear of losing audience’s interest if one takes a break.' However, this logic is often debated. Consider the beloved Rachel from Friends—her character was loved and appreciated equally by viewers throughout the show's run. Why can't the same be true for Indian screen characters?

Despite this, there are practical reasons why Indian TV serials don't adopt seasonal breaks. Ashwini Yardi points out that most shows are daily soaps, meaning actors are frequently exposed over extended periods. This constant exposure can diminish the anticipation and curiosity among viewers for a second season. Yardi emphasizes, 'Seasons in Indian dramas will come only when they have weekly shows during prime time just like they do in the U.S.'

Current Practices and Challenges

In the current landscape of Indian TV, the practice of ending a show and reintroducing it as a new season is more common. This often results in confusion and a loss of narrative continuity. For instance, the series Kuch Rang Pyar Ki Aise Bhi aired its final episode on August 24, 2017, concluding with 388 episodes. In response to fans' demand, Sony TV reintroduced the show as a 'season 2,' which premiered on September 25, 2017, with 26 episodes. Nevertheless, this 'season 2' was not a continuation of the previous story and instead featured an entirely new narrative, albeit with the same cast.

According to Yardi, the decision to launch a new season was driven by social media pressure and fan demand. However, the implementation was a hasty one. The original lead actors were not even in the same frame for most of the scenes, as their scenes were shot with body doubles. This scenario highlights the impracticality of rebranded seasons in the Indian context. The reasoning behind this approach was evident: the channel and production house needed to respond to fan pressure without fully committing to a new narrative.

Conclusion

The struggle to implement proper seasonal breaks in Indian TV serials is multifaceted. While the fear of losing audience interest is a legitimate concern, the unique narrative structure and logistical challenges in daily soaps play a significant role. The shift towards weekly prime time shows, similar to practices in the United States, may eventually pave the way for more conventional season breaks.