Hum Paanch, which was originally aired in 1995, starred Ashok Saraf, Shoma Anand, late Priya Tendulkar in lead roles. (Photo Credit: Twitter)
New Delhi:
If there was one positive impact of coronavirus lockdown, it would be the content on the silver screen. With all production coming to a grinding halt due to the shutdown, the TV channels are trying very hard to fill the vacant spot. While everyone was scratching head and showing the old episodes on on-air shows, Doordarshan, the big daddy, came up with a masterstroke! It began airing Ramayana and Mahabharat. While many were not convinced with the rerun, the numbers say a different story. Doordarshan has emerged as a most-watched channel with both epic serials earning stunning TRPs. (Coronavirus Outbreak Live)
Inspired by the national broadcaster, private entertainment channels have also gone into rewind mode. So instead of showing on-air shows on loop, they are bringing back the mega-hits of yesteryear. If the latest reports are to be believed, Zee is going to begin the telecast of popular comedy show Hum Paanch.
The brilliantly-written and executed show that made Ekta Kapoor a household name will be aired from April 13 at noon. While neither the show makers or the channel have said anything,the latest media reports suggest that its a done deal. Hum Paanch, which was originally aired in 1995, starred Ashok Saraf, Shoma Anand, late Priya Tendulkar in lead roles. Saraf and Anand played Mr and Mrs Mathur. they had five daughters. At one point, Vidya Balan was also part of the show. Tendulkar used to play Saraf's first wife, who was dead, and would talk to him from her photo! Hum Paanch is not the only show that will see a rerun.
Other private channels have also resorted to this rewind game. Star Bharat is already showing Khichdi and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Ramayana, which originally began its telecast in 1987, has made Doordarshan's most-watched channel once again. According to the latest BARC numbers, in the last two weeks when the Ramanand Sagar show has been telecast on DD, its slot viewership--9 am and 9 pm--has grown 60 times.
Since the pandemic made its presence in India, several TV companies and filmmakers have stopped shooting for new projects. Big production houses such as Dharma and Balaji have also decided to suspend shooting to comply with the 21-day lockdown. General Entertainment Channels are also resorting to 'retelecast' to fill the void. Colours is showing old episodes of 'Naati Pinky Ki Lambi Love Story' for 9:30 pm slot. For 10 pm, Colours has decided to show Bigg Boss Season 13 all over again. For big screen, release dates of all movies have been postponed with no set schedule.
Ramayan's comeback made netizens ask for other popular 80-90s shows during the 21-day nationwide lockdown. Soon the channel announced that other shows like Mahabharat to Shah Rukh khan's Circus and Byomkesh Bakshi will also be broadcasted again to take its audience down the memory lane. Other serials that made a comeback include Shaktimaan, Shriman Shrimati, Chanakya, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Buniyaad, Alif Laila and Upanishad Ganga. #Ramayan and #Mahabharat became the top trend on Twitter as users took to social media to post pictures of their TV and family uniting to watch the show while practicing social distancing. Some even shared tills from the show with fond childhood memories and how till date it is etched in their hearts.
