The Content Hub: Is there a lull in fiction shows on Indian television?

Indiantelevision.com's unique initiative, The Content Hub, a three-day get together of writers, creators, producers, artistes and broadcast executives to discuss, understand, educate and engage those involved in the content creation process – both for TV and digital, got off to a rousing start this morning. Kick starting the proceedings for the day was the session titled ‘The Risk Takers’, moderated by the redoubtable Sam Balsara. For us television junkies, it was the fiction friction session that attracted eyeballs. A stellar panel consisting of writer Gajra Kottary, Ila Bedi (writer and producer), J.D. Majethia (Hats Off Productions), Nivedita Basu (Balaji Telefilms), Ravina Kohli (Epic Television Network) and Vikas Gupta (MTV). Moderated by Monisha Katial of the Times Group, the panel vociferously debated on whether a lull existed in the current fiction space in television. Averred Nivedita, "There is not much lull in fiction and I see it doing well. Experimentation has mostly resulted in failure. Films offers a good platform to make content different in nature. On TV, we have to make content that will sell." However, Gajra opined that there is indeed a lull in the fiction space. "There is a lull and it is due to this phenomenon of 'Me Too' and ‘Playing Safe’. If a kids program works, you will see an avalanche of similar programs which makes everything looks the same." Replying to Indiantelevision.com's Chairman Anil Wanvari's question of whether the envelope has been pushed with regards to fiction, Gajra said, "No, it has not yet been pushed as much as we would want it to." Agreeing with Gajra was Ila Bedi who said, "There is a lull and no one is willing to take a risk. The gut instinct is lacking. Earlier it was passion and vision that drove one to make serials but today it has become more scientific than passion driven as it is just business. No one is taking the onus." Ravina too agreed on channels rushing over to make more similar 'Me too programs'. Meanwhile Vikas had a different point of view in place. "TV is for people who don't have other avenues. Content made should be relatable to them. It is not necessary to make content that we want to watch but the content that others would want to watch. We bring content we like watching but sometimes only we are watching it.” For producer J.D, it is the needless injection of unneeded material in a fiction drama that makes it lose its steam. Said JD, "There is not so much lull to begin with but the moment the TRPs go down you lose confidence and start indulging in things which may not be suitable for the serial." Ultimately, though the house remained divided on what ails Indian fiction, everyone unanimously agreed on the need to reinvent to break through the lull.