Sapna Babul Ka — Bidaai’s ratings slip

A year ago, the soap produced by Rajan Shahi’s Director’s Kut Productions, stayed among the top five slots. But despite rating three plus points on the chart, it has slipped from this position. Competing shows like Uttaran and (Colors) and Pavitra Ristha (Zee TV) have delivered between five and seven points.

Even Laagi Tujhse Lagan (Colors) has averaged at five points. When asked why, Shahi comments, “I think the time when there was one show on top for many months has changed. Today, the top slot is occupied by a different show every week.

Why pin point Bidaai? After a two-year run, not every show rates at three plus. It’s an achievement for my show."

Sara Khan and Kinshuk Mahajan, two of the leading faces of the show that deals with the stigma against dark skin, left the show a month and a half ago.

The show took an eight-year leap, introduced two child actors, and brought in Sulagna Panigrahi and Apoorva Agnihotri as new lead characters. However, nothing could help the ratings from taking a downward spiral. “We touched upon the fair and dark skin issue highlighting the negative effects because there’s tremendous pressure on everyone to look good,” argues Shahi.

“But when we did this, we looked at other sub-plots too. I wouldn’t say that the leap failed. It was needed in the show. Maybe the audience needs time to adjust with the way the storyline is proceeding.”