Meet the 'Modi' clan of television industry

Well, it is election time and campaigning is in full flow with different parties and leader trying really hard to influence and win the mandate. There is no denying the fact that the media has gone bananas in promoting BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Party slogan ‘Ab Ki Bar Modi Sarkaar’ has caught the imagination of the masses. Now, our very own television industry also has a certain Modi impact. Yes, we are talking about the Modi clan in Indian television. The first one came into picture in the year 2010, long before the world had woken up to the phenomenon called Narendra Modi. We are talking about the Modi family in Star Plus’ Saath Nibhana Saathiya (Rashmi Sharma Telefilms). So does this family support Modi-the politician, for namesake at least? When we buzzed Producer Rashmi Sharma, she laughed at the coincidence and said, “You guys are really creative to have thought about this for it never came to my notice. Although we have been writing about the show, we never took it in the political way. But now that you guys mentioned, it’s actually funny. And since our show is almost four years old, I guess we started the Modi brand on TV.” Well said, Rashmi!!! The hot and good looking Vishal Singh, who plays Jigar Modi, too sounded amused but shared, “A friend of mine in Australia recently called me Modi and continues doing so. This is when it came to mind that indeed the connection is there. But ours is a show on kitchen politics not country’s (laughs.)” The other show is a recent one, Ekk Nayi Pehchaan on Sony Entertainment Television which has introduced another Modi family on the small screen. Sooraj Thapar who plays Suresh Modi shares, “The other day we were discussing about this and it would be interesting if it could be shown that Narendra Modi is actually a relative of ours (laughs). Poonam (Dhillon) and I were wondering if we could take all the Modi songs and slogans that are used for the party’s campaign and use it to promote our show.” Producer Jay Mehta sheepishly smiled and said, “Arrey when we did the naam karan, Modi wasn’t the hot topic so we haven’t been inspired by his name. The story needed a Gujarati name and since the others like Mehta and Shah are used quite often, we zeroed on Modi. There is no such similarity though.” When we asked Jay that whether he will get Modi to campaign on his show, he quipped, “Why not? I am sure the TRPs will also shoot up instantly.” And finally when we asked Vishal on his final words to the story and he shouted out, “Ab ki Bar, Modi Sarkar, but for us it’s Saathiya parivar.” Well, whatever it may be, with both the shows gaining popularity among the masses, we can clearly comprehend the Modi popularity on TV. Do let us know what do you think about this co-incidence? Hit the comment box below.