A break from traditional fare

SERIAL STORIES

They are bringing in youth oriented subjects on to the screen. With an intention to woo the young audience, especially girls, these channels are churning out new-generation soap operas. These daily doses of entertainment reflects the contemporary youth and their lives.
  
However, young girls are not that addicted to serials as elderly women are. Instead, they select the best and religiously follow them. Sushma Shetty, who is running a beauty parlour, was not a serial buff until she saw Choti Bahu. She now watches her favourite show without fail. “One day, I watched this serial while surfing channels. It sounded interesting to me and I started following it. Radhika, who is a dutiful daughter and a devotee of Kanha, is my favourite character. I would like to see her get married to Dev and be the original Choti Bahu,” she says.

According to Sushma, serial watching is not a bad idea. “Boys tease us saying we are serial addicts. But serials do not cross censor limits hence the whole family can watch them,’’ argues Sushma.    

 Angel Sonia’s tryst with serials started off with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehalata Hai. As per her likings, the serial is different from the usual tele-dramas and reveals how two people bond together after matrimony. “I like this fiction line-up as it upholds family values. It seeks to build the concept of love within the traditional setting of an arranged marriage. I simply love Hina Khan as ‘Akshara’, the central character of the serial and Vineeta Mallick who plays the Daadi,’’ says Sonia. 

She also watches Apki Antara, the story of an autistic child. “Because of the serial, I got to know about autism. Antara's on-screen mother Vidya portrays a very potent and sturdy woman who accepts her step daughter. Such theme-based serials should be aired,” adds Sonia. 

Chandana likes Mile Jab Hum Tum, a serial which traces the college life of a few youngsters. The series is all about six college students and involves love, break-up and dreams which appeal to the youth.

“It is not just a college love story but  speaks about the youth in general. It also speaks about cultural clashes, misunderstandings and achieving our dreams. Now many channels started airing youth-based soap operas. It is nice to watch these contemporary stories,’’ says Chandana.

Usha Ananth, a student of MES College, watches Pavitra Rishta, a serial which talks about the strong emotional bond that every daughter shares with her mother.

“The story is very interesting. It essays the lifestyle of middle-class families. Apart from this, I watch Muttina Torana, a Kannada serial as well. The serial is about four sisters who come from a poor family. I never miss these two serials even during my exams. For me, serial is a daily dose of entertainment which completes my recreation.”