How Does Ashita Dhawan View Ekta Kapoor’s Impact on TV and the Decline of Long-Running Shows?

Mumbai, May 12 (NationPress) Actress Ashita Dhawan has shared her insights on the evolving landscape of the television industry, specifically the transition from long-running series to shorter formats.

Inspired by Ekta Kapoor's remarkable legacy of crafting iconic, multi-episode narratives, Ashita reflects on how the industry has transformed, with TRPs and immediate viewership demands influencing show longevity. She elaborated on why contemporary shows seldom achieve the remarkable feat of hundreds or thousands of episodes that previously signified television triumph.

In an interview, Ashita expressed her views on the notable shifts in the television realm, particularly the move away from shows that ran into the hundreds of episodes to those that conclude much sooner.

The actress, known for her role in 'Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai', told IANS, “Those were the golden days when producers like Ekta Kapoor created legendary shows that extended over 500, 1000, or even 2000 episodes. However, the scene has altered. Today’s audience is more discerning, with a plethora of channels and platforms available, and the focus is primarily on TRPs and profitability. If a show fails to attract sufficient viewership, it gets canceled, irrespective of its creative merit. I recall working on Krishnamohini; within three months, we had not even unveiled the main storyline, and the network opted to end it. This is the current reality. Even achieving 800 episodes is now celebrated as a significant accomplishment, akin to what 1000 episodes used to represent.”

When asked about the perception that Indian television shows are often seen as melodramatic while OTT content can sometimes feel convoluted, Ashita responded, “That’s an interesting question—though I prefer not to compare it with Pakistani content. Each country has its unique storytelling style. Our industry could certainly benefit from advancing its narratives. I was part of a show called Ladies Special, which aimed for realism. We used minimal makeup, natural lighting, and relatable situations. Yet, the audience didn’t resonate with it; they favored glitz, drama, and spectacle. Therefore, it’s not only about creators desiring change—it’s also about audience acceptance. If viewers evolve, so will the content.”

Ashita Dhawan also discussed her experience playing a negative character in her latest show “Prem Leela”. She mentioned how such roles allow for greater depth and enable actors to explore a wider range of emotions. "Negative characters aren't confined to one emotional tone," she explained. "They allow for a broad emotional spectrum, which is creatively satisfying."

Conversely, she pointed out the constraints of positive roles, which often rely on stereotypical emotional portrayals such as constant tears. "When you portray a positive character, you often find yourself crying on screen! Eventually, you resort to techniques like glycerin to convey those emotional moments," she remarked, emphasizing how negative roles offer actors a more extensive platform for exploration.