Rashmi Sharma Telefilms’ Saath Nibhana Saathiya on Star Plus emerged as the baap of all saas bahu sagas. It has millions of admirers across the globe and it ruled the roost in the TRP chart and maintained the numero uno position for almost a year sometime back. Gopi bahu (played by Giaa Maanek) has become a rage amongst the masses and every mom craves and dreams for a bahu like Gopi, a sweet, gullible and modest woman. But since quite some time now, the show has been falling back in the number race. So what is the reason behind it? “It’s because of the ongoing IPL season. We were mentally prepared for the low numbers during this period,” shared producer Rashmi Sharma. But comparatively, other shows have better numbers? “See the time slot at which that our show is aired is a very crucial one. If you closely observe the IPL matches you will come to know it reaches the end overs during 7 -7.30 pm which interests the viewers. So I really can’t blame the story or our show.” Fair enough. Moving on, the soap’s leading lady, Giaa Maanek, recently got involved in a controversy where she was spotted at a hookah parlour. So did the event lead to a negative publicity, eventually taking a toll on the show’s popularity? “I don’t think so. Media exaggerated the entire incident and Giaa also behaved a little aggressively. But I think the real reason is IPL. We are working on the story and I am confident that the show will bounce back.” Well, we hope that Gopi bahu’s magic will soon manage to cast a spell all over again on the masses. Amen!!!