The year 2021 has been a tough one to go through, irrespective of the field and professional line one has been in. The year saw the massive emergence of the second wave of Covid-19, which came up with a huge set of challenges to face and overcome. The Television industry which had gone through a standstill in the year 2020 was again tested in 2021. The learnings of 2020, however, helped the broadcasters and the content makers to face the new challenges with more optimism. Hindi television saw a lot of new trends in the year 2021, few of them mainly attributed to the consequences of the fresh pandemic wave and the lockdown imposed owing to it.
So here we are listing them out.
Lockdown Woes Push TV Shoot Out Of Mumbai: April 2021 brought about a new rule enforcement in Maharashtra after the second wave of the pandemic struck big time. With lockdown being enforced in Maharashtra, the broadcasters and TV producers had no other choice but to relocate to a newer, safer destination, create a bio-bubble ambience for work and shoot amid heavy precautions and sanitization measures. This was not an easy task at all!! The shift only meant that the parties had to incur rising costs, while creativity issues also surfaced with shoots happening with a smaller set of actors. From the numero uno show, Anupamaa, every channel and every show saw a new shoot destination. The shows which unfortunately could not handle the shoot-shift scenario owing to various reasons, had to simply shut shop (Shaadi Mubarak, Baalveer Returns etc). Destinations like Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City, resorts in Silvassa, resorts in Goa, Bikaner, Surat, Manesar, became the new home for TV shoots for nearly 61 days.
Covid-Related Story Plots: The tragedy of actors’ unavailability owing to Covid, changed many story plots in TV shows. Also, the tracks related to Covid-19 were brought into the story tracks of many shows. Many actors, starting from Rupali Ganguly, Ashish Mehrotra, Shubhangi Atre, Mandar Chandwadkar, Neil Bhatt, Aishwarya Sharma, Rubina Dilaik and many more had to forcibly opt out of shoot, thus creating a change in plots. Lockdown Ki Lovestory, produced by Rashmi Sharma for Star Plus, was based on the broad plot of a love story blooming amid the lockdown. For the show, lead actor Mohit Malik could not make it to shoot, just when the show was winding up. Since Mohit Malik was down with Covid, the makers had to shoot without him for the climax of the show, utilizing a body double, and also giving a plot twist that did not show him much. Zindagi Mere Ghar Aana, a show on Star Plus was conceived and written with the Covid-19 ambience in the backdrop. The shoot of Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 on Sony TV has been hampered of late with lead actor Nakuul Mehta testing positive for Covid. The plot has been changed, thus accomodating his absence.
Strong Women Rule TV: A strong character like Anupamaa, played by Rupali Ganguly showed the way, as women characters dominated the main plots on TV in a big way. Anupamaa the Star Plus show saw its protagonist break all shackles of marriage, and showcase her independence as s strong woman. Pragya, played by Sriti Jha of Kumkum Bhagya rose from the ashes to become a huge competitor in the lineup of business. We saw the emergence of the new-age lead girl in Sirat in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, who defied all odds and wanted to be a renowned boxer. Shivangi Joshi who earlier played the bahu Naira, packed a punch in this unique role.
Bollywood Actors March On To TV: This has been a trend that has been on for a few years now. The big Bollywood celebrities have often worked out ways to be seen on Hindi Television. The year 2021’s mighty Bollywood face has to be the gorgeous yesteryear actress Rekha. While she was seen during the launch of the Star Plus show Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin in 2020, she was yet again brought in by public demand in 2021, and the promo featuring her, and the manner in which she talked about the separation that the leads in the show created a lot of intrigue. The dance-based fiction show Chikoo Ki Mummy Durr Kei saw Mithun Chakraborty promoting the show during its launch. Dhadkan Zindagii Kii saw Tisca Chopra promoting it. Also, the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ajay Devgn, Sara Ali Khan were seen promoting their films in TV shows. Another mighty debut happened from Ranveer Singh who hosted the Colors show The Big Picture. Badshah, the musical genius was seen with the prime cast of the Colors show Udaariyaan during its launch. He also composed the theme song of the show.
More Of The Yester-Year Shows See Return: Sasural Simar Ka 2 the cult show of Colors produced by Rashmi Sharma Productions got back with a fresh new cast and fresh storyline. Colors was again instrumental in bringing back Season 2 of Balika Vadhu. The show was again based on the broad story plot of child marriage. Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi – Nayi Kahaani was brought back by Beyond Dreams on Sony TV. The show saw the magical Jodi of Shaheer Sheikh and Erica Fernandes returning to the limelight. Thapki Pyar Ki 2 on Colors was brought back starring Jigyasa Singh. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 came back on Sony TV, this time with Nakuul Mehta and Disha Parmar playing the leads. Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2 brought back the story of Krishna and Pratigya, this time on Star Bharat, produced by Rajan Shahi’s Director’s Kut. Very recently, Sasural Genda Phool 2 has returned on Star Bharat. Star Bharat also saw a prequel to Saath Nibhaana Saathiya in Tera Mera Saath Rahe launching on Star Bharat. Also, Sony SAB brought the sequel of Jijaji Chhat Per Hain with Jijaji Chhat Parr Koii Hai, produced by Edit II.
Well, these were the major trends observed in the TV industry in the year 2021.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, folks!!