With Ekta Kapoor’s Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki airing from today on 9X at 9:00 pm, all the producers have pulled up their socks and are resorting to every measure to banish the shadows that the epic may cast on their shows. Mahabharata will air at the same time as Rajan Shahi’s Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai on Star Plus, Balaji’s Kucch Is Tara on Sony, Kasamh Se on Zee and Ek Packet Umeed on NDTV Imagine.

An actor from the show on the condition of anonymity suggests that the producer and the channel are treading cautiously as Mahaabhaarat has already created much brouhaha even before the show has gone on air. The producer has already shot new promos for his show to counter Ekta’s Mahaabhaarat. There will be an engrossing love track of Ragini and Ranbir in the show. The new promos of Bidaai will air from Tuesday, 8 July.

Ragini - Bidaai

Rajan Shahi

Rajan Shahi says, “This is the first time that we have shot the promos. There will be a new love track between Kinshuk Mahajan aka Ranbir Rajvansh and Parul Chauhan aka Ragini. This will be an important track and we are trying everything from our end to highlight the track. Bidaai is not a love story and so the upcoming track is pivotal as it is for the first time we are introducing a love track.”

So is the step taken so that the TRPs do not dip?

“Bidaai and Star Plus have been receiving mails from fans to bring back the character of Ragini but we didn’t as we can’t rope in characters if the track is not supporting it. We work with full conviction and honesty which pays off. In fact when the IPL was on Bidaai secured the highest TRP ever and dropped a little after the league ended,” states the producer.

“With the influx of so many shows and channels, quality at times suffers. I just wish the producers and the show all the best. Also if Mahaabhaarat ends up beating us then I will have to acknowledge our shortcomings. Though I really don’t think it is going to happen as Bidaai has its own loyal audience. So we don’t have to worry about any competition,” adds the optimist Rajan.

Another acclaimed producer of popular shows like Jassuben Jayantilaal Joshi Ki Joint Family, Ek Packet Umeed on Imagine and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby on Star Plus, J.D. Majethia of Hats Off Production himself can’t wait enough to watch Ekta’s Mahaabhaarat.

Ek Packet Umeed

J.D. Majethia

Majethia says, “I was an exception in the lot who acknowledged that IPL would sweep away all the TRPs affecting the dailies. It was like a 3 hour movie. I believe a new show initially always upsets the TRPs of the established shows. I myself am waiting to watch Mahaabhaarat as the promos and teasers are quite luring. Balaji has roped in established and popular faces in Mahaabhaarat who are already doing other dailies on other channels.”

“I personally feel that one must sample every new show and the better has to be successful. With new shows one has the advantage of using newer and advanced technology. If the show is good we too will work harder to bring up a product superior in quality which would result in healthy competition and thus progressive qualitative industry. I believe in the simple theory that if Mahaabhaarat succeeds in roping in more viewers who in turn will buy new TV sets which will increase the TRPs of my show as well,” asserts Majethia.

So will he introduce any new twists and turns to his show to keep viewers glued? JD says, “We have a loyal audience for Ek Packet Umeed on NDTV Imagine that airs in the same time-slot. But we have made the upcoming episodes even stronger. We have double-checked the quality and content. Every show has its USP and one works accordingly.”

It’s a matter of days and the verdict will be out. Watch this space to know who wins this Mahaabhaarat.