Indian Soap Opera - The "K Phenomenon"

The "K Phenomenon"

Based on predictions made by celebrity astrologer/numerologist/tarot-card reader Sunita Menon, almost all serials made under the Balaji Telefilms banner are supposed to begin with a ‘K’, regardless of what language it’s made in. This is believed to be creative head Ekta Kapoor’s ‘lucky alphabet’ and, consequently, the K Phenomenon was born.

The exception are Mano Ya Na Mano a horror & thriller Show, Hum Paanch, a comedy about a family of five sisters, their bent-on-their-getting-married, loving stepmother, and their father, who talks to their dead mother via a framed photograph hung on a living room wall.Ghar Ek Mandir a very successful Show from the production House that aired in early 2000's on Sony TV.This is probably because the show were created and shown in an entirely different time—the late nineties—presumably before Kapoor met Menon and it was produced before Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

The Phenomenon began in mid-2000 when Ekta produced Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi the first ever path breaking Show on Star Plus. The Show gave Sky-rocketing TRP to the Channel that the Channel decided to let Ekta produce another Show which was Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii which was followed by Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kalash, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kahiin to Hoga and many more on Star Plus, Koshish (TV series), Kohi Apna Sa, Kammal, Kashti, Kitney Kool Hain Hum and many more on Zee TV, Kkusum, Kutumb, Kuchh Jhuki Palkain, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, Koii Dill Mai Hai and many more on Sony TV and so on. Despite all the stereotypical content K-serials contain, they are all immensely popular with the masses, which is believed by some to be a result of the initial K.

In the Late 2008, When her longest running, path breaking, Most TRP generating Show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi ended, She decided to move from the later "K" and there after the Shows produced by her began with "T" (Like: Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna and Tere Liye) "B" (Like: Bandini, Bayttaab Dil Kee Tamanna Hai, Bairi Piya and Bade Acche Lagte Hain) and "P" (Like: Pyaar Ka Bandhan, Pavitra Rishta, Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani and Parichay—Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka). She did not permanently drop "K" after Kyunki ended but also produced Shows like Kitani Mohabbat Hai, Kitani Mohabbat Hai Season 2, Koi Aane Ko Hai, Keshav Pandit and Kya Huaa Tera Vaada that began with alphabet "K".