Jai Shri Krishna

Balika Vadhu

Bidaai

Yeh rishta kya kehlata hai

Uttaran

Kis Des mein Hai Meraa Dil

Dance India Dance

Aap ki kacheri

1. Balika Vadhu

(Colors)

Position in November 2008 : 1

Genre : Social drama

Theme : Child marriage

Nothing arrests the attention of the Indian TV audience more than the story of a woman braving the odds. And if that happens to be a 10-year-old child bride’s struggle, topping the TRPs is a given. Overturning the monopoly of the saas-bahu brigade, Balika Vadhu has rarely allowed itself to be dislodged from the top of the telly charts since September last year. Balika Vadhu is also a major reason why Colors has been giving market-leader-for-many-years STAR Plus sleepless nights ever since it went on air one July night in 2008. “The unprecedented success of Balika Vadhu points to the fact that the Indian audience welcomes fresh content and credible storylines,” says Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Colors. With its 10-year-old protagonist Avika Gor more popular now than many Bollywood stars, Balika Vadhu has a consistent TVR (Television Rating Point) in the range of 5 and 7. According to the TAM ratings for the week ending February 28, 2009, Balika Vadhu notched a TVR of 7.4, one of its highest ever.

2. Bidaai (STAR Plus)

Position in November 2008 : 2

Genre : Family drama

Theme : The tale of two sisters with conflicting fortunes

Snapping at the heels of Balika Vadhu’s numero uno position is Bidaai. Despite slipping into saas-bahu mode often, Bidaai is hugely popular for its identifiable storyline and the fresh faces peppering the line-up. “Every plot change and every character introduction is followed keenly by its loyal audience. I am sometimes surprised when people come up to me and discuss the intricacies of a character or an episode. The earthy appeal of the show has caught on big time,” says Rajan Shahi, producer and series director. Maintaining an average TVR between 5 and 6, Bidaai registered a healthy 5.2 for the week ending February 28.

3. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (STAR Plus)

NEW ENTRY

Genre : Family drama

Theme : Discovering love in an arranged marriage

Launched in mid-December and sitting pretty at number 3 by the end of February, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has found instant favour with the audience. Airing on the 9.30pm slot on weekdays, Yeh Rishta… also has the distinction of being the best primetime fiction launch in the past three years, with a whopping TVR of 7.9 in its launch episode. According to industry estimates, the launch episode reached out to more than 14 million viewers and by the end of the first week, close to 30 million viewers had caught a glimpse of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. “The simplicity of the show minus any gimmicks will appeal to the viewer,” producer-director Rajan Shahi had told t2 when Yeh Rishta... had been launched. The show now commands an average TVR between 4 and 5.

4. Jai Shri Krishna (Colors)

Position in November 2008 : 3

Genre : Mythology

Theme : Lord Krishna’s childhood

Slipping one notch from its November 2008 showing, Jai Shri Krishna, however, continues to be popular. Tracing the part-hilarious, part-courageous antics of the maakhan chor, Jai Shri Krishna has found followers from six to 60. “Mythology has always been a surefire hit on Indian television and Jai Shri Krishna proves that once again. The endearing child god ensures that the audience keeps coming back,” says Yardi of Colors. For the week ending February 28, Jai Shri Krishna’s TVR was a commendable 4.7.

5. Chhoti Bahu — Sinduur Bin Suhagan (Zee TV)

NEW ENTRY

Genre : Family drama/ love story

Theme : A long-suffering young woman and her devotion to Lord Krishna. Krishna rules here too!

It may not win any prizes for its never-ending title, but Chhoti Bahu is doing everything else right. The story of young Radhika who, having spent her entire life sacrificing her happiness for her adopted family, has to give up what is rightfully hers even after marriage. Launched in December last year, the Zee TV show has edged out competition in the 7.30pm slot, emerging as the number one fiction show in its slot. Managing a consistent TVR in the range of 3 to 4.5, its score for the week ending February 28 was 2.8. It is courtesy Chhoti Bahu that Zee TV is back in the ring.

6. Kis Des Mein Hai Meraa Dil (STAR Plus)

Position in November 2008 : 6

Genre : Family drama/ love story

Theme : Pyaar, ishq aur mohabbat

A regular on the TRP charts for months now, KDMHMD is particularly popular among the young crowd. With fan groups on social networking sites and a large number of hits to download its title track every day, it has maintained a TVR between 2.5 and 3. This one sure is a lambi race ka ghoda for STAR Plus.

7. Uttaran (Colors)

NEW ENTRY

Genre : Social drama

Theme : A deprived kid and her struggle to survive in the big, bad world

Colors comes up with yet another drama focusing on the trials and tribulations of the girl child, but with Uttaran doing so well, no one’s really complaining. Launched to take the place of the TRP-grabbing Bigg Boss, Uttaran is fast becoming the channel’s trump card along with Balika Vadhu, with its knee-high protagonist compelling viewers to tune in every weeknight. “Uttaran’s simple premise and refreshing performances have struck a chord with the audience,” says Yardi of Colors. Launched with a TVR of 2+ in December last year, Uttaran now commands 2.9 on the TAM rating charts.

8. Aap Ki Kacheri Kiran Ke Saath (STAR Plus)

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Genre : Reality show

Theme : The common man’s adalat which solves cases in a TV court

The verdict’s out. Launched on December 1, 2008, Aap Ki Kacheri was the biggest weekday prime time launch of 2008. The show that brought STAR Plus back in the reckoning is a lot more popular than its number 8 position would lead us to believe. With former cop Kiran Bedi at the helm, Aap Ki Kacheri rules the charts in the 10.30pm slot among all Hindi GECs (general entertainment channels). “The fresh concept and the presence of Kiran Bedi has worked wonders for the show,” reveals a STAR Plus spokesperson. For the week ending February 28, 2009, Aap Ki Kacheri registered a TVR of 2.8. The show has a well-rounded audience profile with 47% of its viewership being male. No wonder then that the channel has decided to extend the show by another 52 episodes.

9. Dance India Dance (Zee TV)

NEW ENTRY

Genre : Reality dance show

Theme : A dance competition with Mithun Chakraborty calling the shots as show judge

A success story like no other — a regional rage going national — Zee TV launched Dance India Dance in late January and it now finds a place in the TRP charts. Hoping to replicate the dream run of its Bangla counterpart Dance Bangla Dance on Zee Bangla, the show is grabbing eyeballs. This despite it being just another dance reality show. The presence of disco king Mithunda has a lot to do with the 3+ TVR that Dance India Dance has notched up.

10. Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann (Zee TV)

NEW ENTRY

Genre : Family drama

Theme : Yet another show on the hardships faced by women in Indian society

A surprise entrant in the top 10 charts, this Zee TV show does have its loyal audience base. Airing on the 10pm slot on weekdays, Betiyann has its middle-class values and slice-of-life situations to thank for its number 10 position.

THE dropouts

Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (STAR Plus) From being number 4 in the last list to being nowhere in the Top 10 now means that the modern-day fairytale of a young prince who falls in love with a maid working in the palace has gone horribly wrong.

Kasamh Se (Zee TV) It went off air last week, but even before that the three-year-old saas-bahu saga had run out of steam. Will best be remembered for giving Bollywood Prachi Desai.

Nach Baliye 4 (STAR Plus) The celebrity dance show is currently off air, after a successful season 4.

Indian Idol 4 (Sony) The popular reality singing show has just come to an end. Season 5 starts in mid-2009.

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (Zee TV) Currently off air after the finale in January, this Zee TV biggie is sure to be back in the Top 10 whenever it is on air.

Where is sony?

One of the Big Three (along with STAR Plus and Zee TV) not too long ago, Sony has all its shows falling out of the top 10 list this time. With Indian Idol ending, many new shows in their nascent stages and not a single entry in the top 10 charts, Sony sure has a lot of catching up to do!