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Sony TV to Axe 3 Fiction Properties?!
In light of the unprecedented pandemic, Sony Entertainment Television India announced the abrupt closure of its three popular weekday fiction properties: Beyhadh 2, Patiala Babes and Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein. In this piece, I give reasons why these shows should not go off-air and instead be given an extension with a logical and dignified conclusion.
#1 – Beyhadh 2
Beyhadh 2 launched with much fanfare in December 2019. With a well-known cast, it has become Sony TV’s most lucrative fiction property as it is viewed by millions both online and on television. A revenge drama at its core, the show has broken the monotony on Indian Television and that is evident in its execution. With stellar performances and impeccable writing, it is not understandable as to why the channel wishes to unceremoniously axe this show. Furthermore, courtesy of Jennifer Winget and Shivin Narang’s pairing, the show has become a global success with audiences tuning all over the world to Maya and Rudra’s life. Moreover, Beyhadh 2 was always slated as a finite fiction therefore it deserves the original ending and a dignified closure.
#2 – Patiala Babes
Patiala Babes needs no introduction, the Ashnoor Kaur starrer recently took a 5-year leap introducing Saurabh Raj Jain as the new male lead. The show which now deals with the trials and tribulations of Mini requires a logical conclusion. With multiple arcs and storylines left open-ended, the abrupt closure acts as a disservice to the 349 consistently well-presented episodes.
#3 – Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein
Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein made it history on Indian Television by becoming one of the very few shows dealing with the struggles of the disabled community. However, the show never depicted Yogi’s disability as a tragedy but presented it in a quirky light-hearted manner bringing the much-needed change of how people in the disabled community are viewed. A love story at the heart, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein also depicts multiple types of relationships presenting a multi-dimensional narrative. For a show that marked history, it certainly deserves a proper conclusion.
#4 – Creative Integrity
The bottom line is that it is unethical to abruptly close multiple properties without giving them a dignified closure. The TV industry is a creative field with the core foundations being the art of storytelling itself and therefore it is absurd to see the lack of creative integrity especially within a situation like a pandemic. It can be deemed fit to highlight that during these unprecedented times, it is storytelling and the arts which are helping mankind deal with the disconcerting environment. By axing not 1, but 3 properties overnight, the channel is disrespecting the same art that it is making profits out of and that in itself is inappropriate.
#5 – Impact on Daily Wage Workers
By unceremoniously axing 3 established fiction properties, the greater impact will be faced by the countless members of the technical teams. The fact that the daily wage workers are already facing severe financial issues due to the lack of uncertainty around their jobs, is this an ethical practice? These workers form the foundation of the shows and with the shows gone, there will be a rise in unemployment and soon poverty, an issue which has been long affecting India.
#6 – Impact on Sony TV
Though Sony TV’s fiction properties do not fare as well on BARC given the un-stereotypical presentation of their serials, the online viewing figures of the shows are incredibly high suggesting that the key demographics are Millennials and Generation Z’s. These are the audiences that are surrounded by multiple OTTs and will not flinch to unsubscribe to Sony LIV or for that matter the channel if they see a lack of integrity on the channel’s part. Furthermore, it will be even more expensive to launch 3 new shows with no guaranteed success. Therefore, the logical decision would be to keep the 3 shows on air and give them a dignified closure.
From all the reasons above, it can be deemed fit to conclude that the channel should hold-off its decision to axe these 3 shows. All of these serials have multiple avenues to explore and ending them at this juncture will be highly inconsiderate of the countless fans that tune in daily. This is not only a disservice to fans but the shows themselves that have changed the face of Indian television. This is why Sony TV must not end Beyhadh 2, Patiala Babes and Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and provide them with a logical conclusion.
