Biggest TV shockers

The baap of controversies

Bigg Boss, thy name’s controversy! The two are synonymous with each other, but what happened this year was by far the most controversial. It started with Tanishaa Mukerji participating in the show, which didn’t go down well with her illustrious film family. Then there was the war of words between Kushal Tandon and host Salman Khan. Kushal’s ouster, his beau Gauahar Khan joining him, his return and eviction had all the masala of a potboiler.

Add to it Kushal’s fans taking to networking sites to express their ire against Salman alleging he is biased and the Dabangg Khan clarifying his stance on Twitter.  He even said this could be his last outing with the show. But all this turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg. The dramatic twist came when Sofia Hayat filed a police complaint against Armaan Kohli, who was arrested from the house, got bail and was back in the house. Well, if Bigg Boss was scripted it couldn’t have been better!

Protests over Jodha’s existence

Jodha Akbar that depicts the passionate love story between  Mughal Emperor Akbar and  Rajput Princess Jodha was launched with much fanfare, but it is not without its share of controversies.

Time and again there have been protests against the depiction of certain aspects in the show. For instance, Rajput Kshatriya Akhil Bharatiya Chatariya Sabha staged a protest alleging that the serial showcases false information about Jodha marrying Akbar to save her father’s kingdom.

They demanded that serial be taken off air. Another community all but created a riot for allegedly depicting them in a poor light. They also claimed that Jodha never existed! Nevertheless, Rajat Tokas and Paridhi Sharma continue their love-hate relationship as Akbar and Jodha and the serial is doing well..

Row over Buddha’s birth place

Ironically, the serial Buddha based on the life of a man who spread peace, sparked a controversy even before its first episode went on air. A huge controversy over Buddha’s birth place broke out when Kabir Bedi who was part of the serial during its promotion said Buddha was born in India!

History has it that the prince-turned- philosopher was born in Lumbini, Nepal. Consequently, Nepal blocked Indian TV channels fearing the first episode will lead to protests. Kabir took to Facebook to apologise and things were sorted out.

Gutthi quits Comedy Nights With Kapil

Reams of news space was dedicated to Gutthi aka Sunil Grover quitting Comedy Nights With Kapil. The news came as a shock to fans as Gutthi was an integral part of the comedy show.

There were talks of Gutthi becoming too big for her boots and demanding higher remuneration but neither Sunil nor Kapil Sharma confirmed it. Then came news that Sunil has been offered a show on a rival channel. Promptly Colors issued a notice that Sunil cannot use the character Gutthi anywhere as it’s a part of their show. The parties concerned are battling it out legally. Sunil meanwhile is readying his show for Star Plus.

Bhansali gives up his TV show

The much hyped debut TV production of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Saraswatichadra was mired in controversy shortly after its launch. Intially, the serial did not rate well on the charts and it was blamed on the lack of chemistry between the lead actors Gautam Rode and Jennifer Winget.

There was talk that Jennifer, married to Karan Singh Grover, was uncomfortable doing intimate scenes. Then the shoot got stalled because actors and the crew alleged they were not being paid on time. The show came under the scanner and was about to be yanked when Bhansali washed his hands off. Sunjoy Wadhwa, the man behind Balika Vadhu stepped in and revamped the content. Since then the serial is doing quite well and things are settled. Bhansali’s name, however, continues as the creative director!

Title trouble

Bani – Ishq Da Kalma was originally titled Gurbani. The serial based on the popular practice in Punjab of getting girls married to NRIs had named its protagonist Gurbani. However, several Sikh organisations including Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee were opposed to Gurbani, which means the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, to be used as the title.  The name was changed to Bani – Ishq Da Kalma at the last minute just as its first episode went on air.