This mega serial had changed the face of primetime Indian television viewing.  After reigning for more than 1800 episodes in over 8 years, Star Plus marathon serial “Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” is drawing its end……

For all those who came in late, Kyunki is a popular hindi TV soap opera produced by Balaji Telefilms, that revolves around the lives of the Virani family. “Kyunkii” has dealt with five generations of the Virani family that were subjected to, two 20-year generational leaps. This show had various characters, who played different roles and made small screen actors like Smriti Irani, to became a houseshold name as Tulsi.

Star has decided to scrap the serial following a drop in its Television Rating Points (TRP) between July and September this year. The serial is slated to end on November 6th when the last episode will telecast.

Star Plus’s contract with Balaji is over, hence probably, all the N number of serials that are being aired on Star will come to an end following Kyunki. So all the rona dhona of saas-bahu, sex-affairs, kitchen politics, polygamy, superstitions, huge joint families, will soon be put to an end. But it was still the favourite staple of the big aunty brigade of Indian middle class. The producers and directors dragged the story unnecessarily and then it caught the public imagination of being more repetitive & boring.

However, the crowd that loved this saga is going to miss it like hell… They would have been watching it from 8 long years and it would have become a part of their lives. There was a twist in the story that kept the audience glued to their seat. Now it will be difficult for them to fill the vacuum. “Kyunkii..” began losing out on TRPs due to more innovative scripts and fresh shows on new channels like colors coming up with appealing scripts like Balika Vadhu.

“Kyunkii…” was instrumental in changing the fortunes of Star Plus at a time when the channel was struggling for Television Rating Points (TRPs) due to its lack of original hindi programming. The channel lagged behind in the Indian television industry, which was then dominated by Zee and Sony Entertainment Television. Ekta Kapoor held the right nerves at the time when it was needed the most. People went crazy when this serial was aired on television. I still remember the day in June 2000 when KBC was aired for the first time at 9:00 PM followed by Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and then Kyunki Saas Bhi…. All three serials making their debut…. Out of the 3, only Kyunki survived to have the highest TRP. Ekta held the audience for 8 long years with a serial that had a roller coaster ride of emotions with love, joy, anger, anxiety, contemplation, revenge grief, fear and terror – even amnesia, death, rebirth and murder.

Finally the iconic family saga spread over three generations ruled the small screen for several years dies a legal death after striking a chord with Indian viewers & worldwide.

Hope the viewers will take a sigh from this nightmare but still larger majority of fans are going to mope for sometime till something else keeps them hooked.

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