Tis’ the season of merry making! It’s that time of the year when auditions explore the audience’s hidden talents and a lucky few get a golden opportunity to perform in front of all on TV. Still wondering, what this is all about? Then, tune into numerous Kannada television channels as a couple of popular reality talent shows are back with another season! While, the Kannada watchers are already enthralled by the fifth season of Kannada Bigg Boss, the wait is over for the fans of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs and Comedy Khiladigalu. The singing reality show meant for children is back with Season 14, and the popular Comedy Khiladigalu is back on demand with its second season. The season for television returns in full force. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on this search for talents.
“Though seasons and sequels with respect to television and movies are sort of similar, they largely differ on various accounts. For instance, in Hollywood, a majority of the sequels are properly planned works and scripts. They are usually best known as trilogies and there are rarely more than three sequels unless they are very popular and timeless — like James Bond movies, Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, Star Wars, and others. These ‘series’ films are all the rage. However, in Indian cinema, a sequel is very rarely planned. If a particular movie become a big hit and surpasses everyone’s expectations, it results in a sequel.
The plight of such films are mostly disappointing. Insofar as seasonal shows on television are concerned, a particular channel takes into account not just TRPs but the immense popularity and demand from an audience who just cannot wait for the show to make a comeback,” says writer and director Vishal.
He feels that the Indian viewers, especially the Kannada audience is so far restricted to seasonal comebacks of reality shows. “However, there are some fictional shows in Hindi which are also making a re-entry with new seasons and a limited number of episodes just like any popular English sitcom or fictional programme. The Kannada audience seems to be happy with non-fictional shows for the comeback especially singing, dancing, cooking and game reality shows, which are most preferred. Thus, neither the serial makers nor the channels are thrilled about seasons for fictional shows and programme,” explains Harish, a TV publicist.
It requires more than just TRPs, for new seasons to succeed, says Vijay, a senior film critic. “For instance Comedy Khiladigalu was a new concept for the Kannada audience and it became so popular that it is making a comeback with another season. The participants involved in the first season had such a huge fan following that in the interim, the channel even came up with a new show called Khiladi Kutumbha involving almost the same participants to retain TRPs. Other non-fictional shows with additional seasons are a win-win situation for the makers, channels, and the audience. While the common man gets to participate and show off his talent, seasonal affairs keep the dreams of many more aspirants alive to try their luck for another season,” he signs off.
