Celebrities share views on the new success mantra for shows, ‘Regional Connect’!

Over the years, television has evolved in terms of concept, performance and presentation. While the audience loves to watch different genres on TV, family dramas still have a huge fan following. They connect with the various aspects, styles of the characters and also seem to be enjoying it more when they speak a specific regional language. In shows like #Anupamaa, #Saathiya, #Udaariyan, we can see how the characters speaking in a particular dialect forms a special bond with the viewers. Celebrities talk about the trend and share their viewpoints:

Sharad Malhotra- A regional connect helps gain more viewership. If you see an actor or a character speak in a particular dialect, you build a connection with them. While a majority of the audience might struggle to understand a few words, if you are of the same region that the show is based in, you recognise it easily, and it’s a beautiful feeling. It of course makes it easier for the audience to connect with the show and they really wait for it to come on-air.

Pragati Mehra- Family dramas work more than other genres because they have it all — romance, comedy, tragedy, suspense, thrill and a whole ensemble of relationships. So everyone in the audience connects to something for sure. In my opinion regional connect isn’t just the case. If that was it then these shows wouldn’t be a national/global phenomenon but remain just regional TRP generators.

Delnaaz Irani- Yes, I think family dramas are a huge hit among the audience. People love to watch them because they connect with that life. For example characters in Anupamaa use Gujarati accent, so it has a major fan following among those who speak the language and understand it in India and abroad. This is another plus besides the content and performance. When a certain language or a dialect is introduced in a show, it connects much more with a particular audience. I also really like to watch that as you get to experience a new flavour. Say for example Balika Vadhu, there was a certain dialect. In Khichdi and Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma, it works as there is certain warmth in the way they speak. Like Dayaben’s character is so well received. It made the character so much loveable.

Saanand Verma- We Indians are conditioned to have a family. It is taught to us since our childhood and this thought has been inculcated into our veins. And, the real drama happens in a family. There are so many characters in a family and their interpersonal relationships, various ups and downs make for a wholesome story. In a country like India, that’s the reason that family dramas are so popular and it will always be. Definitely using a regional dialect is good for a better connection because unfortunately, we all are not doing great in terms of speaking the perfect Hindi or English or Bengali. In terms of language, we are not getting richer anymore. We have coined things in Hinglish etc. There are countless dialects spoken in this country. Every character has language-related nuances. Definitely, it gives the feeling of reality and the sense of connection which is far more beautiful. It creates a better connection as it is the reality of today.

Aalisha Panwar- Family dramas will always have a fan base because it’s mostly the people who are at home who watch the daily soaps, be it women, kids, men or elderlies. People associate with different characters or their traits or the situations that the characters are put in. And of course, a regional connect always helps gain more audience. You love to hear the actors talk in the same dialect as you or say the name of your hometown. It really helps build a connection with the audience.

Aditya Deshmukh-The audience really loves to watch various genres on TV and family dramas. It still has a huge fan base. We grew up watching different TV dramas, including mythology and religious shows. My mom used to watch Kyunki Saas Bhi Khabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and many others, and I also grew up watching these shows. Drama shows have been there for the longest time. Now, the audience has changed, the mindset has changed. But family dramas are still preferred by a separate set of audiences. But they also love watching such shows. You can’t call it old school as it would always be there. Our show Ziddi Dil Mane Na is a success because it targets all age groups. There are pros and cons but that’s how the show is surviving. Regional connect has both merits and demerits. Some people love watching it, like Anupamaa, which has Gujarati dialect. People can relate to it. But then at times there is a possibility of it becoming popular with people speaking the language or understanding it. So a balance is what works best.