When it comes to television, it’s the concept or the story that rules the roost.Showering millions on superstars doesn’t guarantee success. Typifying this is Shobhana Desai whose faith in rookie actors is paying immediate dividends. Shobhana Desai Productions’ matinee show Hamari Devrani has surprised all by garnering a TRP rating of over 3 in the very first week after its launch. Doubling Shobhana’s joy is the fact that her Hamari Devrani has managed to beat the much hyped game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai? that is hosted by none other than Bollywood Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan.

Hamari Devrani is a family drama about the Nanavati Parivaar, based in Ahmedabad. It strongly establishes the sweet yet, at times, sour relationship between the five elder bahus of the family and their youngest devrani. Here’s a tale that projects different facets to each relationship in a family.

An elated Shobhana Desai says, “I have always believed that it is the content that works. All the actors who are tagged as stars too have started as raw at some point of time in their lives. I only believe in making shows that talk about our culture which is so diverse, unique and beautiful.”

When asked about the show’s TRP surpassing Paanchvi Pass, Shobhana says, “Oh! It comes as a surprise to me as well. In fact, the 13th episode garnered a TRP of 3.7 which turned out to be highest across the channel. In that episode, we aired an exclusive bhajan as I didn’t want to incorporate a filmy bhajan. Luck too has favoured us.”

Ravi Menon, Executive VP Star India, says, “We have a collective audience and we are happy to dish them a soap of their liking and interest. During revamping of the afternoon slot we were concentrating on bringing in new faces and fresh production houses and the strategy has worked in our favour. The show’s success depends on the craft of telling the story. Hamari Devrani is a simple story told in an interesting way.”

Kudos to Hamari Devrani