Gaurav Chopraa is not at all perturbed by the low ratings of his new weekend Zee TV super-human show, Aghori. The second week numbers are also not good.
“We are geared for an uphill task. Having said that, it is too early to say anything.”
“You also need to take into account a number of factors. First and foremost, when you are up against something like The Kapil Sharma Show (Sony), you can’t expect ratings right from day one. It will take time but we are confident, for we are making a good show, and hence, keeping our fingers crossed,” says Gaurav, who has returned to GEC TV after a break, during which he tried web series (Love Lust and Confusion, Fourplay, etc.).
“First we were supposed to air at 8 pm, but then the channel put us in the 9.30 pm slot, bang opposite Kapil Sharma and his gang, which goes to show how much confidence they have in our efforts. So that only doubles our resolve to keep at it.”
“To be honest, I am more surprised by the low numbers of Super Dancer on Sony, which is only doing a tad better than us. Ideally, it should have done much better, given the fact that it is a known franchise and weekend is nonfiction territory.”
Returning to Aghori, he says, “Also, the fact that we are a weekender as opposed to weekday drama, it will take us a bit more time to gain steam.”
“Many people have started to write in, saying that they are binge-watching all the earlier episodes on Zee5, which they had missed so far. Today, TV is not the only option.”
“Last but not the least, apart from The Kapil Sharma Show, we also have to fend off competition from crunch World Cup cricket matches involving India. The annually occurring IPL hit fiction numbers, so what can you expect from a prestigious international tournament that only happens every four years. Now, with the WC ending, we will get some breathing space at last on this front.”
“We are all working very hard. Last night, I got back home only at 6 am. Also, the costume designing team is bending over backwards to create a distinct look for our Aghori character’s dressing in the city and the graveyard, which makes for interesting viewing experience.”
