Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon has a long way to go, opines Barun Sobti

Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon has a long way to go, opines Barun Sobti
Talk of TV and the world of daily soaps, and the first name to strike all minds as of late is of Barun Sobti aka Arnav Singh Rayzada from Star Plus’ Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon.

Though his is not a new name in the town, as the actor in the past was seen in shows like Baat Hamari Pakki Hai on Sony TV but there’s something unique about his role Arnav, which has made him the new heartthrob of TV town. In fact, his on-screen chemistry with co-star Sanaya Irani aka Khushi is simply a killing one and even the stunner agrees to that. The handsome hunk has a number of female fans and despite the fact that he is married, his popularity hasn’t gone down among his female fans.

In fact, the actor’s modesty and humbleness is what has fetched him so much of attention. On screen he might seem to be a hard to please one but off screen he is a very chilled out guy. Braun talks high of his upbringing and the morale he has clearly vouches for the same. Being married to his childhood sweetheart, Barun says that his circle of life revolves entirely around his wife.

Talking of his professional front and the show facing a downfall in TRPs, Barun makes it clear that the show is still on the right track and it’s just that the CVs are waiting for the right time to blast the big bomb all have waiting eagerly for. Without killing the suspense, Barun stated that the show will soon witness a high point which will not only boost up the TRPs but might even make it to top the charts.

On being quizzed if he feels insecure regarding the future of the show, quick comes the reply in the true ASR style, “IPKKND is one of the highly watched shows and has a long way to go. It is yet to unfold many mysteries and is definitely at the safer and stronger side”.

Well, even we want the show to continue its run and are hopeful that the fans would keep on rendering their support.

Can Indian Television shows go the American TV Series way?

Any fan who ardently follows a television soap on any GEC's , after a few episodes complains of a stagnant storyline. Story travels along a moebius strip with starting and ending points being the same. TRPs travel a wave riding high on crests and touching nadir on troughs.

It is not just the storyline that suffer from the frequency of number of episode telecast ed a week , but also the stars who are in the show as protagonists. With most shows airing five times a week and a life span of a year and a half , it is hard to not to empathize with the stars. They put in close to 14 hours a day and get only a day or two in a month to recuperate.

Barun Sobti who plays 'Arnav Singh Raizada' on Star Plus 'Iss Pyar ko Kya Naam Doon' stresses on the work pressure the stars are under "Indian Television needs to make a move on and with so many cases of ill health in the industry it is certain that such work pressures are difficult to take for a very a long time. I really hope it eases out soon"

Excessive working hours leaves them looking haggard and it is quite palpable on the shows. The lines around their eyes are thicker and puffiness doesn't belie the rest they so deserve. If you thought that only the stars are in the firing line , think again and spare a thought for all the creative visualizers. It is their responsibility to come up with a script and factor in all the variables that directly or indirectly affect the show.

The key question to be answered is - What can be done to make sure that story packs in a punch and leaves our favorite stars less fatigued?

We have aped the West on many fronts and aping them in their television format might not be a bad thing. All their serials follow a format of division of episodes and a certain number of episodes (preferably 22) are clubbed in to a season. On completion of a season , entire cast and crew takes a well deserved break and then regroups for a more zesty season two.

Kunal Karan Kapoor who plays Mohan on Colors 'Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha' feels that as an actor season wide division of episodes would be a boon - "As an actor I would love it. It would be more creative and interesting. But at the end of the day the decision rests with the channels as take a call on TRPs. So, we need a channel that has full faith it and goes all out to take the risk".

American television series like Lost, Castle, Supernatural enjoy popularity not only in the US but also across the world including India. Indian Serials run for close to 350 episodes and a season of 100 episodes might not be a bad idea. Reality shows in India like Bigg Boss, Dance India Dance have successfully replicated the model - Does that mean there is hope for serials on GEC's?

Palki Malhotra, Creative Director of Channel V's 'Dil Dostii Dance' feels that Indian audience is very different to their western counterparts -" Indians are more emotionally involved. So if we were have let's say three episodes in a week , they will feel the void. India churns out so many serials and there is always a danger of losing out on your audience , if you take a break between seasons. This concept might work for some thriller series or reality shows , but for shows on GEC's it is fraught with peril"

It is now time for Indian audiences to decide and prioritize - A show with mediocre storyline and high frequency or a show which guarantees concrete storyline with lesser frequency?

Arnav to be seen at his sasural in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon on starplus

arnav to be seen at his sasural in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon on starplus
Now this comes as the most unexpected of surprises for all the Star Plus’ Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon fans as CVs have planned for a track whereby Arnav (Barun Sobti) will visit his sasural that is Gupta house.

Buzz has it that in the coming episodes, Khushi’s (Sanaya Irani) father might see some improvement in his health; this will make Khushi visit her family. And the fun would just double for all the Arshi lovers as Arnav will also reach there.

In the past episodes we saw how Arnav showed his concern for Khushi by letting her free from the guilt of playing with his health. It was out of his unconditional love and concern for Khushi that made him tell her about him faking of his sugar level going down. Arnav played it really well but he couldn’t hide the truth from Anjali (Daljeet Bhanot), who was quick enough to guess that he was simply lying to help Khushi stay away from blaming herself.

She even made him give it a thought as to how much he cares for Khushi and her happiness. Meanwhile, the creepy Shyam (Abhaas Mehta) will also be seen playing his side as he tries to get the impression of Arnav’s locker’s keys. Now whether he will be able to walk away with the desired information from the locker is something one will have to wait and watch.

But as of now, we all can enjoy how Arnav will spend his time in his sasural, which is totally the reverse of his King size life and has a completely different ambience!