The clock has just struck nine. My mother is frantic. She is worried about the dinner not yet being ready. Not because she is afraid that we will sleep hungry but rather because she doesn’t want to miss her daily dose of the balaji soaps, if she remains in the kitchen for another minute. No, don’t take me wrong. I admit she is a dotting mother, enjoys cooking and loves pouring spoonful into everyone plate. (No matter we are hungry or not) And don’t you dare smile at this extremely tense moment of hers. She is not the only one. Her anxiety is shared by many more TV buffs in India who religiously watch these daily soaps. These sops are hugely popular especially among home makers. Enter any house in your neighbourhood after nine, and I bet you will get the sight of all women folk of the household glued to their television sets. The remote may be missing from their hands (because there is no need of channel surfing, these go on till late midnight, under different names but more or less the same story) but rather with tissues to wipe off tears. Why tears? Well what do expect from your moms when Mihir leaves Tulsi for that vile Mandira, or when another illegitimate child of Mihir pops up from God knows where.

Telecast during prime time these sops narrate family sagas and are known for celebrating traditional Indian values. They are highly dramatic and theateritacally powerful and touch upon all chords of human emotion. Many a times they have cathartic effect on their viewers. The soaps are a topic of social discussion and the celebrity characters have become household names. The king of Bollywood Shahrukh khan remembers how his house in Delhi was crowded with fans asking for autographs. The humble Khan made an appearance to the public but to his dismay soon realized that the crowd was not for him but for Ronit Roy who was also with him in his home. The incident just shows the massive popularity and impact of these serials.

The Indian soap opera industry is more of a mass production agency with most of the serials made under a single banner dominated by Balaji Productions. It is headed by Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, the daughter and wife of yesteryears Bollywood star Jitendra. These run on different channels and in different languages, but without much difference in the theme. Love stories resulting in family rivalries, extra marital affair to name a few are the core of these stories. They are supplemented with murders, kidnappings and conspiracies. A standard feature remains the 20 years leap where the characters’ age is reflected by streaks of fake white hair, while the face remains young. The entire ambience and sets are lavish. The dress worn by the cast are splendidly bulky. The camera is artistically engaged in such a manner that it sensationalizes the climax.

Ekta has mastered the art of selling her soaps by way of beautiful sets and lavish dresses. But despite all criticisms these are irresistible and we love them.