Living a dual life

Yashashri Masurkar (Khanak) and Karen Tacker (Shaan) in a scene from Rang Badalti Odhani that aired it's last episode on 22nd July 2011

Recently a very famous and much-loved show called Rang Badalti Odhani on Star One was closed on a happy note. The show wrapped up with the couple expecting and the husband Shantanu aka Shaan signing a hefty singing contract. The family accepted the son and his dream with arms wide open and all were happy. Even the parallel plots were neatly closed and done justice to.

While I unknowingly smiled watching the happy people on the screen a thought crept into my mind….When the channel and the production have put in such effort in making fiction that is so close to reality, complete with emotional layering, how do the people involved, deal with the closure of this second life?

The audiences in India are rather emotional and it isn’t too hard to draw on emotions and all kinds of TV series and entertainment by and large do just that. But is it just the viewer that gets involved? I was once speaking to a friend who works for a production house. She told me that when a show ends they all go through a bout of depression even if they have to jump start another project.

In spite of the ample public statements that the popular English sit-com FRIENDS cast went on to make , it still makes me wonder what lies beneath all of it. Monica or Courney Cox said on Oprah, "The last week of the shoot has been very emotional and Jennifer (Rachel) will probably gasp for breath with just the thought." Lisa Kudrow or Phoebe said on the same show, "I cried so much on the last day of the shoot the next morning I felt like I's suffered a head injury." So with such emotional attachment on the part of the cast, Jennifer Aniston will always be Rachel and just like that Yashashri Masurkar will always be the sweet, simple and strong Khanak and Karen Tacker will always be the suave, modern and urban Shantanu aka Shaan to me.

It is not just about dealing with this dual life personally but also professionally. Smriti Irani and Shweta Tiwari are immediate examples that pop into my mind. Even after a decade it must be easier for you to put a face to Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Prerna of Kasauti Zindagi Ki on Star Plus than their real names.

Beyond all the pondering and my public queries into the lives of these dual personalities I would just like to express my heartfelt appreciation towards their efforts at keeping the Indian homes entertained and the idiot box running!