Pratigya on a winning note

Star Plus’ recently launched show Pratigya boasts of some not so popular but promising actors. Pooja Gor, earlier seen in Balaji Telefilms’ Kitani Mohabbat Hai is the show’s protagonist and Arhaan Behl has debuted with Pratigya. The story talks about women fighting for their rights; upholding their dignity. The show started in December, 2009 and in a matter of three months, is among the top three shows of the channel. Apparently, it has even outshone rival show Na Aana Iss Des Laado. Pratigya has clocked a rating of 4 plus for the past couple of weeks. Talking about the success of the show, Gurudev Bhalla, VP Walkwaters Productions’ says, “This is a team effort. We have a supremely skilled team of writers. We have ensured good production values. I guess the sincerity and the hard work have paid off.” Pearl Gray, co-producer and co-writer, says, “The characters and the storyline are real; nothing is sugar coated. We have dealt with everyday issues like eve-teasing.” Gray claims to have drawn the inspiration for the show from her life. “I have been born and brought up in Allahabad and have been a victim of eve-teasing too. Guys tease girls as if they were their property. Girls are always at the receiving end for no fault of theirs. But all you do is ignore it. Most characters are picked up from my life.” Talking about the current trend, which has more and more shows set against the rural background being aired, the co-producer says, “The viewership from the rural part of the country is showing an ever-increasing trend. In addition to that there are more issues in the rural areas as compared to urban India. In cities, a woman is strong enough to stand up for her rights and fight against the evils of the society but women in the rural areas are far more submissive and they hold no opinion as it hardly matters to their respective families.” With the ever-growing viewership, overwhelming response and increasing TRPs, Gray hopes that Pratigya becomes the driver show. Since the show is a take on social issues like eve-teasing and gender bias rampant in Uttar Pradesh, what is the response from the state? “I am receiving rave reviews from the people of Allahabad. They love the show and have been inviting the writer and the members from the creative team to be a part of the seminars they are organising on serious topics. The channel too is receiving a positive feedback.” Her co-writer, Shanti Bhushan says, “My job is to pen down the problems that are a bane to the society. It gives me immense satisfaction when I am able to show the truth and people relate to it. Girls aren’t safe in any part of the world and so is Pratigya. But she is strong enough to fight back. Had Pratigya been submissive she would have been like her mother-in-law and bhabhi but because she has protested, we have a story.” Gor says, “Pratigya has been performing consistently even during the IPL. All other shows including Bidaai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlaata Hai have slipped on the rating charts. Laado has registered a TRP of 3.9. It’s a great feeling when your show is appreciated.” So does she too wish her show to become the number one? “I don’t want to remain number three and there is no harm in having a healthy competition,” she signs off.