The success of shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasauti Zindagi Kay made superstars out of actors. But with the success came the dropouts too. Actors Amarr Upadhyay and Cezanne Khan quit shows on account of monotony-induced, gimmicky generation leaps. “After a point you simply outgrow the character and there is no challenge involved,” says Nausheen Ali Sardar, who played the pivotal role of Kkusum for many years, before she eventually called it quits.

Contradictory to popular belief that short-term shows generate more interest, sitcoms like Sex and the City and Friends have run for a decade each and been popular too. “It is the seasonal breaks that worked in their favour,” says Majethia, whose second season of Baa, Bahoo aur Baby will be aired soon. “When there is a fresh idea to be shown, then audience will view it. When you have nothing new to broadcast take a break and adapt a fresh outlook.”

But don’t short-term shows affect a channel’s market rate? Sharada Sunder, President, Real Global Broadcasting states, “While longer formats help build market share for the channel, shorter formats infuse variety for the viewers. As long as the shows are successful, the producers and the channel will always earn profit.”