OTT takes on the saas-bahu sagas and their changing dynamics

Over the years, the relationship between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law has been portrayed in daily soaps as one riddled with quarrel and conflict of interest. But, with time, things have changed in the reel and real world. In line with changing times, makers on OTT are ditching saas-bahu cliches and viewing the bond through a fresh lens, paving the way for more realistic content.

Daily soaps on small screen have forever loved cashing in on the saas-bahu sagas, and they have always worked, too. While mostly, it has shown to be a bitter relationship where the two just can’t seem to have a cordial equation. Though over the years, this notion changed and so did our shows. And now, OTT platforms seem to be further breaking these cliches and giving a spun to these age-old saas-bahu dramas, thus showing a rather interesting side of their relationship to the audiences.

Actor Anup Soni, who plays one of the lead roles in Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt. Ltd, feels the problem lies in the perception of TV show makers, who feel there is an audience foe saas-bahu sagas.

“As you have offered viewers the same thing, they have become addicted to it. But thank fully, OTT is changing it and trying to cut through that addiction with projects that shows the reality of relationships,” says the actor, who starred in TV show Balika Vadhu that showed a not-so-happy relationship between orthodox mother-in-law with her daughters-in-law.

He goes on to state that change can only happen if the narrative undergoes a revamp. “Aap chaar shows waise dikhaaein and ek show realistic ho, toh usse kuch nahi badalta. The entire programming has to be changed and OTT can hopefully do it. So many shows are being made on the web, and not all of them become hits. But they are constantly trying,” he says, adding, “OTT is also being able to do it because audiences are more accepting to experiments and changes. They are not rigid about watching one kind of content. That’s why a show like Saas Bahu Achaar, jahan relationship bahut normal hain, is being made and working.”

Amruta Subhash highlights how web shows these days give actors the opportunity to play characters that are more human. “In every relationship, including the one shared by saas-bahu, there are greys and these shows on OTT including Saas Bahu Achaar highlights that grey part. It shows that humans can be flawed, there can be fights and the two can share a bond that’s stronger than that of friendship. For example, what we have shown between me and my saas is beyond beautiful. She leaves her son and supports me in my business. Her business acumen is better than most people and she makes me stand on my own feet. But all this is shown very realistically. Suman is timid but her saas is very bindaas and that’s such a fresh take on this saas bahu relationship. OTT gives that freedom,” says the actor, who plays the lead in the web show Saas Bahu Achaan Pvt Ltd.

Actor Kitu Gidwani, who stars in web show Potluck, points out how “saas-bahu dramas ruined Indian television completely”, but she’s happy that things are changing, as “OTT is offering space to explore the relationship dynamics and make shows that are unique in it’s own ways.” She adds that saas-bahu drama is not going anywhere any time soon, but “OTT may offer something more and something better to the audience”.

Actor Isha Talwar, who stars in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo – a web show that explores the dynamics between a fiesty mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who run an illegal business that the men in the family have no idea about – believes stories are always reflective of the time they are set in.

“It’s no more about the woman just looking after the family but the entire family has to contribute to running a home which is a good change . And it’s high – time that the saas-bahu cliches of never getting along die down . I have enough mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws in my own khandaan and can vouch for it that their relationships are all about looking out for each other,” she says.

But, the makers of the Talwar-starrer, director Homi Adjania, clarifies that he did not intend to send out any kind of message through his show. “I am here to entertain people through stories that come to me instinctively. The idea was not to put spotlight on strong women, but tell a human story, which is interesting. I was not trying to change any saas-bahu relationship image,” he shares.

While television has been blamed for the said image of saas-bahu dynamics, producer-actor Jamnadas Majethia feels otherwise.

“We have made several shows including Baa Bahoo Aur Baby where a beautiful bond was shown between saas and bahu. But I agree that OTT has changed the whole game,” says Majethia, the maker of the web show, Happy Family.

The reason Majethia shares is rather different from what others stated. He tells us, “When television was at it’s peak, there were not many stories besides the kitchen fights, the clashes that arise when two people live under the same roof. Those stories found it’s audience because of relatability and TV show makers went on to feed the same thing for years. However, a lot changed in the last few years. And considering how OTT depicts the reality of the world, it got a hundred different stories to tell- whether they are about women being self-independent and not being pressured by their in-laws or men becoming more aware of the rights of their partners. That’s why, OTT has content where saas-bahu dynamics look healthy.”