Star Plus couldn’t have asked for anything more. If KBC was the cake, then KSBKBT was the perfect icing on the cake. One serial, which miraculously managed to rope in maximum viewer-ship, outdoing KBC in TRP ratings, and making Tulsi, Mihir and Daksha a household name. What is so special about this serial? And why did it attain the super-success status, which only a few serials have managed. I try to answer these questions here. I have tried to look down on serial at every possible angle before writing this review and this is what I think.
I was not a big fan of this serial (not that I am now!), but about two months ago, I asked my aunt, who is a soap addict as to what was so appealing about this serial. This is what she told me, and of-course I have added my bits too.
I am tired of seeing serials with extra-marital affairs.
Good point. I agree. With the plethora of serials which began after sailaab almost every other channel had the same inane concept of either the man or the woman having extra-marital affairs. What was striking was the way in which they depicted as extra-marital affairs as a normal thing to do! sailaab explored the same with extreme sensitiveness, but sadly no other serial could depict it…which resulted in almost all serials looking alike. So KSBKBT comes as a welcome change.
I am tired of watching those shows which show girls/women boozing, smoking, etc. in the name of women’s liberation.
Another good point. Once upon a time, looking down on serials which used to be telecasted, this is right. Or for that matter take a look at babul ki duaen leti jaa.
Girls are shown of modern age, by making them booze and drink. Obviously, now that is not modernity or women’s liberation about. Of-course, its left to personal choice of girls/ladies, but from and Indian point of view, 8 out of 10 household will NOT approve of such a thing. I figured out again, why KSBKBT succeeds…strong household values.
I am bored of those never ending serials.
Definitely a very strong point. People were bored of seeing those weekly once based serials which showed no signs of ending. For example take saans or amanat..there is a point beyond which audience tends to lose interest altogether in a serial. That is what happened to saans. But now, we have KSBKBT, which comes everyday. The advantage- people don’t need to wait for a week to know what happens next and be let down. Even if the serial is slow at times, due to the everyday telecast concept, it wont bore down the viewer so easily.
I like watching family dramas
Well, I believe this is the most common point that majority of people who like this serial will tell. According to a recent survey, about 70% of the ads and serials are targeted towards women. After a days work, most of the women wouldn’t like to see news, sports, or for that matter suspense stuff. A good family drama becomes a perfect way to end the day. I will definitely agree on this point.
These were some of the points which my aunt mentioned to me…and after some thoughts I am inclined to believe that some of her points are right.
I will now list on where this serial scores, and where it doesn’t.
KSBKBT –where is scores.
1.Timing. 10.30 was an unexplored territory for a soap, and not considered prime time. However, by telecasting on that time slot, with little or no competition from other channels, it won the first battle of engrossing the viewers.
2.a joint family & values . yeah, agree or disagree, it has been the strongest point of the serial. A joint family, ensures a plenty of characters. So here we have the serious savita or the comic daksha both doing good job in the serial. With more character, serial need not be focused only on one person.
3.audience relates to it . why do some foolish movie succeed and some good movies fail? Answer- when audience relates to the characters of the movie/serial its gonna run. There a thousands who relate to the characters to the people shown in the serial..be it tulsi, savita or others. The virani family to many looks like their next door neighbors, and they are identifiable.
4.performances. yeah, the acting of almost everybody is good. Especially mihir and tulsi who have been the back bone of the serial.
5.nice presentation. the rich feel to serial with good backgrounds make this serial visually appealing.
However, this serial doesn’t come with its share of stupidity!
KSBKBT-where it fails
1.The over obsession of daksha with KBC is getting monotonous and is getting boring.
2.every character always talks to another only if there is something serious to be discussed.
3.No rooms have doors. anybody can eavesdrop any two people talking anytime! This is certainly foolish!
4.the anupam fiasco is getting too much. They expect the audience to believe that anupam inspite of being ready to marry tulsi, has NOT seen a single pic of mihir. Come on...this is absolute gobley-gook to me. In-fact the very fact that mihir has come alive is stunning… I can attribute it to public demand who wanted him back in the serial!
5.except for daksha who enjoys her life, almost every character has a problem. Not that I compain off..but I would like to see more happier people! Too much crying is shown…it really bores at times.
This is what KSBKBT is all about. Someone asked ‘do we need such kind of serials ?’..yes, I would say we need it. After all its again a matter of personal choice. Even with its share of stupidity and absurdity, I would still recommend this serial, and would definitely rate it as one of the better family dramas on television. And of course, thanx for making till this point in my review…I know it was pretty long!
And those who are absolutely bored and have nothing better to see…well there’s hope! Cartoon Network beams tom and jerry, the ever enjoyable cartoon every weeknights at 10.30 p.m. Perfect way to end your day!!! ( though check out whether Indian cartoon network telecasts this. I get the European version..and it comes at night 10.30 indian time.)
Happy Viewing!