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Star Plus has recently been in revamping mode with multiple serials facing the axe. With Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum next on the chopping block, is it an ethical practice for the channel to unceremoniously end the show without giving it a logical conclusion? In this piece, I give reasons why Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum should not go off-air and instead be given an extension otherwise a slot-change.
#1 – Realism
Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum has traced the journey of two individuals from different professional fields managing their personal lives. From the initial promos, one would agree that the show appealed to the common man/woman as it dealt with real-life issues. In fact, in my interview with Karan V Grover, he acknowledges that “Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum is the only show which is portraying the TV Industry the way it is. The challenges, the presumptions, the hard work as well as the chaos and shortcomings are most aptly shown to the audience. Our female lead Sonakshi Rastogi played by Dipika Kakar Ibrahim talks to the audience directly breaking the fourth wall which has not been done before. So, in these ways, it is different. Also, we have a love story between a heart surgeon, someone who has grown up on logic and reasoning vs someone who believes in the magic of a fictional world, an actor from the glamour field. Two total opposites! That’s what makes it fresh and fun.” It is these qualities of the show that makes it a fresh watch amongst the recent trend of supernatural sagas. Ending Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum does not align with the channel’s brand philosophy of ‘Rishta Wahi Baat Nayi’ therefore being dishonest with the viewers who are invested in the show and channel.
#2 – Digital Traction
The chemistry of both lead actors has struck a chord with the audiences. This is evident in the daily trends and social media traction the show receives, a clear sign that the show is a lucrative property and that ending it would be a missed financial opportunity.
#3 – International Appeal
Not only has Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum appealed to viewers in India, but it has been performing incredibly well in the UK. On most days, Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum is either the most-watched show or within the top 5. (Source: BizAsiaLive.com) This highlights its international success and consistent viewership abroad and that ending it will only be a disservice to the viewers and the creative team.
#4 – Character Arcs & Narrative Integrity
The serial which is still in its early stages has not yet explored the romantic arc of its lead characters besides expediting the marriage track courtesy of TRPs. Both Rohit and Sonakshi’s arcs are incomplete and therefore ending the show at a stage where it has not reached a logical conclusion reinforces Star Plus having a lack of narrative integrity. This poses major issues within the industry. As pioneers of fictional content, Star Plus’s abrupt closure of Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum becomes a model for other channels to end shows without any consideration for the narrative (ironic given that the content is the consumable product which brings in revenues.)
#5 – TRPs
This graph illustrates Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum’s TRP. For a serial that explored real issues, the show averaged at 1.7 compared to its predecessor Krishna Chali London which was hovering in the 1.0-1.5 range thus a marginal increase. The spike in week 23 and the consequential downward sloping trajectory is a result of the channel forcing the production house to make the show more dramatic and resort to tried and tested tropes. However, as of Week 35, one can see that the show is back at 1.8 and with the post-leap narrative in place, it is likely that the serial will hit the 2.0 mark soon. Though TRPs should never be the reason why serials are pulled off air unceremoniously, if that is what it ultimately comes down to then Star Plus should rethink its decision as the show has potential and the channel needs to be patient for the show to climb back up the charts.
From all the reasons above, it can be deemed fit to conclude that Kahaan Hum Kahaan Tum has immense potential and the channel should hold-off its decision to end the show. The show has multiple avenues to explore and ending it at this juncture will be highly inconsiderate of the countless fans that tune in daily at 9 pm and will reinforce Star Plus’s practice of not sticking to its brand philosophy. Hence, Star Plus should give it an extension otherwise a change in timeslot.
