The gap between the small and the big screen is getting narrower day by day, or to be more precise — episode by episode. The commercial success of a feature film has always been judged by the number of days it manages to sustain in the theatres as it faces tough competition from new releases every week. There have been classic examples of a film running to packed houses for hundreds of days and some even for years! Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, was one such film which created a record for its 1,000 week run. Sandalwood’s Banagaarada Manushya ran for more than year. However, with more screens in present day, even reaching 25 days is considered to be a hit venture!

The trend has now struck the small wonder and TV teams are leaving no stone unturned to celebrate such milestones. It is again another form of TRP-seeking to popularise a show. While only a few popular ones in the past marked such a milestone, the stiff competition has made it challenging to reach the ‘hundred’ goals. Bengaluru Chronicle reports.




Nayana
Nayana

Recently, more than half a dozen teleserial ventures and programmes took ‘special’ time out to celebrate their unique milestones in terms of number of episodes, some for 100, 300, 500 and even for telecasting more than 1,000 successful episodes!

Amongst the popular ones, were Jodi Hakki which recently competed 300 episodes; Na Ninna Bidalare with 500 episodes and Naagini too. There was also Jo Jo Laali and Subbalakshmi Samsara that surpassed 200 episodes. But it was the popular food show, Oggarane Dabbi which wrapped up its latest seasons surpassing 1,250 episodes!

Jyothi Rai
Jyothi Rai

“Every channel has a set goal and they fight against each other for TRPs. It all depends on who holds the maximum audience during prime time which is between 6 pm and 11 pm. Earlier, a serial or other programmes would be telecast once or twice a week, and hence they were limited to a certain number of episodes. A serial maker would wrap it up like a feature film which would be aired in episode format but in the current scenario, the number of episodes is decided by its popularity. Once there is a dip in popularity, the serial gets discontinued hurriedly, and even abruptly,” says Pramod, a director.

Celebrating milestones also provides a platform for interacting with the audience. When Jodi Hakki marked 300 episodes, they held an exclusive programme for their fans.

Also, a special series of episodes are made to mark such landmarks. In order to make it even more special, some serials have gone abroad to shoot special sequences. After completing 500 episodes, the makers of Naagini shot special sequences in the island of Andaman.

“Following 500 successful episodes, it inspired us all to move forward with every phase of Amrutha and Arjun’s life; this time to an Indian archipelago,” says Hayavadana, the director of the serial.

Ashwini, the writer sums up saying that though the number of episodes has become a major factor these days, the makers at times, have compromised on quality. Remember, the audience still reminisces popular serials like Mayamruga, and many others from the past for their quality of entertainment, more than just the number of episodes.