Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 30, 2020)

With no shoots in over two months now due to Coronavirus lockdown, many TV shows have been affected. Over the last few weeks, Nazar 2, Beyhadh 2, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and Patiala Babes had to be taken off air.

Makers and channels admit it is a tough time. Sony, which decided to take three shows off air, said in a statement: “Isharon Isharon Mein, Beyhadh 2 and Patiala Babes are finite fiction shows and the nature and the pace of the narrative is time-bound. Given that all shoots have been stalled since March, owing to the unprecedented situation we are in, these shows couldn’t shoot their logical ends... keeping best interests of all in mind and in joint agreement with the producers, it has been decided to terminate these shows, as of now.”

Actor Mudit Nayar, who was in Ishaaron… says he understands, but is ‘obviously upset’ as it was ‘abrupt’. “The units will be shorter now for future shows, and members cut down to half. I am sure the shows which are doing well, channels will back them up, but the ones whose standing costs are not worth it, will be taken off. I don’t think it’s the channel’s mistake. There’s no certainty on when shoots will resume,” he tells us.

We asked Colors about its shows. A source says, “We’ve stopped airing them as there is no bank. But all will be resumed, none are off air.”

Producer Rajan Shahi, who is behind popular shows such as Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, says such calls are taken by both, broadcaster and maker. “As of now, no such calls have been conveyed to me. I am cautious, working towards seeing how we can keep the brand of our shows alive,” he says. Asked how the crisis will affect current on-air shows, he explains, “Advertising rates have gone down, it is going to be difficult. Broadcasters have to be selective about the kind of shows being retained. Existing telecast shows will be under scrutiny every week, not every month.”

Actor Ashish Chowdhry, who was a part of Beyhadh 2, says he’s ‘totally in agreement’ with the people who called off shows, including his own. He reasons, “TV shows are a habit, which everybody is used to watching every day. That habit once broken, there will be uncertainty. It’s a dicey situation for the producer. For all you know, there will be a Beyhadh 3 soon!”

Producer Benaifer Kohli, who is behind shows such as Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain, says the future looks “little bad”, but Indians “can overcome any problem”. “Shows have standing costs, like sets, salaries of people. When it all started, the channel said it will pay technicians for a month. Then it got extended to two months. Now, the monsoon will start, and diseases like dengue will compromise the health of people,” she reasons.

Reports doing the rounds say two more shows — Dil Jaise Dhadke.. Dhadakne Do, which airs on Star Plus, and Star Bharat’s Kartik Purnima — will not return after the lockdown ends and shoots resume.

Pandemic forces producers, channels to terminate costly and unprofitable shows
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 12, 2020)

On Saturday, actress Monalisa and producer Gul Khan took to Instagram to announce that their supernatural show, Nazar, is going off air after a two-year run on Star Plus. The last fresh episode aired on March 20 before shooting stopped following Coronavirus outbreak.

When Mirror reached out to Gul, she clarified that it’s because of the budget that the show was cancelled midway. “In the post COVID-19 world, advertisement budgets will be limited and it will be difficult to keep expensive shows going. Nazar was mounted on a lavish scale, with plenty of visual effects and action sequences. Restrictions in budget are going to be the reality, at least in the coming year,” she predicts.

Nazar is not the only show to be axed. In April, Sony terminated three of its shows— Beyhadh 2, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and Patiala Babes. An industry source informs that after Nazar, Dil Jaise Dhadke... Dhadakne Do is the next show that will be going off the air. “The channel is yet to announce it but the decision has been taken. They are even contemplating the future of Sooraj Barjatya’s Dadi Amma... Dadi Amma Maan Jaao! which started towards the end of January this year,” the source added.

Buzz is, even Zee is planning to pull the plug on some of its ongoing shows, among them Dil Yeh Ziddi Hai and Manmohini, are the names currently doing the rounds.

The latter was to air its last episode in April but got an extension. However, the channel is now thinking it over. These shows are looking at premature exits as both producers and channels are unable to handle the mounting costs. “The channels are going through huge losses with no fresh content, so, are trying to shorten their line-up by axing shows that are not profitable, low on TRPs or exceed the budget of the channel,” the source signed off.


Still from Manmohini, Beyhadh 2 and Sooraj Barjatya’s Dadi Amma... Dadi Amma Maan Jaao!

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; April 21, 2020)

Three daily soaps — Beyhadh 2, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and Patiala Babes — will not return to television post the lockdown. In an exclusive statement issued to BT, the channel said that the three “are finite fiction shows and the nature and the pace of their narrative is time-bound.”

It further stated, “Given that all shoots have been stalled since March, owing to the unprecedented situation we are in, the logical ends of these shows could not be shot. All the three shows have had a good spell and would have paved way to newer narratives eventually, had the shoots been functional. Having said that, keeping the best interests of all in mind and in joint agreement with the producers, it has been decided to terminate these shows, as of now.”

Meanwhile, BT spoke to Rajita Sharma, the producer of Patiala Babes, who said, “Ours was always a finite series, but unfortunately, we are unable to shoot the remaining episodes because of the lockdown. None of us know when we will be in a position to resume shooting. So, it was a mutual decision to pull it off air.”
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With producers suffering losses due to the lockdown and Sony unwilling to rejig its annual slate, sources suggest the channel may pull the plug on Beyhadh 2
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; April 21, 2020)

Fans of Beyhadh 2, who are eagerly awaiting the next plot twist in Jennifer Winget and Shivin Narang's on-screen love story, may be in for a disappointment. Word on the street is that the top brass at Sony Entertainment and the producers of the revenge saga are contemplating pulling the plug on the show, given the current scenario.

A source informs, "It's a big budget show, and with the set at Green Valley studio in Mira Road standing unused, the makers are incurring heavy losses with every passing day. So, the channel and production house may not resume the shoot of the daily soap post the lockdown. Even though the script for the next 50 episodes is ready, the show is likely to have an abrupt ending."

While the channel officials remained mum on the subject, an insider informed that the decision is not prompted by the monetary losses. "There is no clarity on when the shoots will resume. If the studio decides to pick up the story from where they left off, the channel will have to rejig its entire line-up of shows to accommodate the series."

When mid-day reached out to Ashish Chowdhry who is one of the leads, he said, "While I haven't received official communication about this yet, I won't be surprised if they have taken this decision. Jennifer, Shivin and my remunerations are high. Plus, [the makers must be struggling] to maintain the lavish sets."'