Veteran TV, film and theatre artist Shekhar Suman, whose yesteryear hit Doordarshan show Dekh Bhai Dekh is making a comeback on TV, is not surprised that old classics like Ramayan are still breaking the TRP roof compared to new shows.
“These pan India loved classics never get dated. People are consuming new content, having no alternative. But beyond a point, you do desire for something more meaningful yet entertaining. Coming to Dekh Bhai Bhai, I attribute its success to the joint family narrative. Over time we have moved to the nuclear family system, yet miss the age-old family togetherness. This age-old Indian custom is even more critical when we all are sitting at home courtesy lockdown.”
Here he informs that producer Anand Mahendroo has been toying for a long time to come back with a 26/ 52 episodes sequel. “If, when it happens a renewed Dekh Bhai Dekh will be a treat for the contemporary audiences.”
Shekhar, who joined TV way back in 1984 with Wah Janaab, is quite disappointed at the current level of content. “Who wants to see constant conspiring saas-bahu and naagin-makhi? Today everything boils down to TRP. We also need to accept those yesteryear makers were more cerebral. No wonder people are making a beeline to the web, which offers differentiated content.”
Point out that the male characters back then did not have a great body?
“Well, that is another example of purity of content which I was referring to above. We are more bothered about flaunting of abs then paying attention to quality writing.”