Inspired TV titles. Quick recall value or lack of creativity?

Gone are the days when creative/original/thematic titles were used for shows. In fact many a times a specialist was hired to come up with a title for a show. And more than often the title was an indication of the content of the show. Malgudi Days, Hum Log, Buniyaad, Udaan, Nukkad, Circus, Fauji, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi conveyed the precise nature of the show. But now the scenario has changed. Now the trend of using popular Bollywood songs as titles of shows has caught in a big way. Sure, these titles could be suggestive of the story but definitely lack novelty. Just a little while ago names of Hindi films inspired titles for TV shows. When SRK’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi created a major buzz at the box office it inspired not one but two shows on the small screen - Star One’s Love Ne Mila Di Jodi and Zee TV’s Zing Ne Bana Di Jodi. Then came Star Plus’ Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat which was also a flop film starring Rani Mukherjee. Imagine’s Bandini and Colors’ Balika Vadhu are also titles inspired from films. The recent trend of using lyrics of popular Hindi film songs as titles of television shows is a rage. Sony’s Mahi Way and Lift Kara De seem to be inspired by the songs Mahi Ve from Karan Johar’s Kal Ho Naa Ho and Adnan Sami’s pop number Lift Kara De. Indians are in general emotional people and they like to watch emotional shows on television. This is the reason why the makers often put great emphasis on the music and title songs. The use of hit songs attracts the viewer and gets them more involved in the daily soap. This is basically a strategy to increase the TRP ratings of the serials. The title of Colors’ show Bairi Piya is apparently taken from the song Bairi Piya from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas. Whereas the name of the children dance reality show Chak Dhoom Dhoom was also taken from the same hit number from the movie Dil To Pagal Hai. A writer of daily soaps explains that popular songs have easy recall value and viewers can quickly identify with them. He adds that now a show’s title is all about grabbing viewer’s attention. Ekta Kapoor had registered the title Bade Acche Lagte Hain almost six years ago as she said she loved the song. Now she has used it as the title of her recently launched show on Sony. And the list doesn’t end here. Sasural Genda Phool (Star plus) from the movie Delhi 6, Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo (SAB) from the classic film Teesri Kasam, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon (Star Plus) from Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, Emotional Atyachar (Bindass) from Dev D, Yeh Ishq Haaye(Star One) from the hit romantic movie Jab We Met, Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani (Star One) from Honeymoon Travels are just some recent examples. It is easy and hassle free to ‘lift’ lyrics of a song as no permission is required to use a song as a title. With their roots firmly in Bollywood many of the titles are so hummable that the purpose is served. What else would a producer want other than his show’s name on everyone’s lips? Bas gaate raho…gungunate raho… Read more...