Sapna Babul Ka...Bidaai

Plot

Ragini and Sadhna are cousins where Sadhna’s mother dies due to her illness in the first few episodes, and Sadhna’s father is unable to save her owing to a lack of funds. Sadhana's father promises to fly to the USA in order to accumulate more wealth, and she is left with her maternal uncle, Prakashchand Sharma. Sadhana is now residing in Agra and her father is in California. Sadhana's father's greatest wish is to see her as a bride. Sadhana, on the other hand, is desperate to see her father. She succeeds to win Ragini's and Prakashchand’s hearts while living with the Sharmas. However, Ragini's mother, Kaushalya, is concerned because her daughter, Ragini, and Sadhana have different complexions. Eventually, Sadhana’s father decides to return from California and take her back to Udaipur. Everyone is ecstatic. However, a tragic twist of fate puts an end to all hope. Sadhana's father's plane crashes due to bad weather and he dies. Sadhana is devastated by the news. She eventually ends up staying with the Sharmas.

Meanwhile, efforts to find Ragini a groom are on. Ragini is having difficulty finding a suitable match given her dark complexion, as she is always rejected in favour of the lighter-skinned Sadhana. One proposal is eventually finalised, and Kaushalya and Ragini's maternal grandmother decide to keep Sadhana hidden. Sadhana eventually arrives at Ragini's wedding venue owing to unforeseen circumstances, and the boy's family rejects Ragini once more in favour of Sadhana, causing Kaushalya to attempt suicide, but Prakashchand saves her. Everything returns to normal slowly, as Ragini takes dancing lessons and Sadhana gets a job.

Sadhana begins working as a tutor at the Rajvansh family. Ranveer is one of the Rajvansh sons who studies in the USA and has returned for the time being. He has a mentally ill brother named Alekh. Vasundhara, Alekh's mother, believes that marriage will help Alekh improve. She decides on Sadhana as a bride and puts the proposal to her. But, Sadhana rejects the proposal citing the fact that Ragini, who is elder to her, has not been married yet. In the backdrop of all this, the Sharmas are facing serious financial difficulties and the possibility of losing their home. Vasundhara offers to help them out. Sadhana eventually agrees to marry Alekh, however, Sadhana also puts forth a demand of her own.

Sadhana demands that Vasundhara get Ranveer married to Ragini in exchange. She does so after witnessing Ranveer protecting Ragini's honour after few hooligans make fun of her dark complexion, and she believes that he will make a wonderful life partner for Ragini, and she for him.

7 years later

Ragini is shown bringing her daughter Tamanna up along with Khushi, who is Sadhana's daughter. Ragini and the family commemorate the seventh anniversary of Sadhana's death. It is revealed that Ranveer died, too, in a rock avalanche while saving his friend Anmol's life. Anmol promised Ranveer to look after his family, therefore, he lives in the Rajvansh household as Ragini’s husband and Tamanna's father. After Sadhana and Ranveer's deaths, Alekh also loses his mental balance once again, but eventually recovers with the help of Shlok, and especially for his daughter. He also becomes close to a girl named Sakshi. The show ends with Anmol and Ragini, and Alekh and Sakshi, getting married. Both couples take deceased Ranveer and Sadhana’s blessings and perform the Bidaai (farewell) ritual.

Cast

Main

Parul Chauhan as Ragini Rajvansh: Kaushalya and Prakash's daughter; Vineet and Sadhana’s sister; Ranveer's widow; Anmol's wife; Tamanna's mother (2007–2010)

Sara Khan as Sadhana Awasthy Rajvansh: Sulekha and Kishan's daughter; Ragini and Vineet’s sister. Alekh's first wife; Khushi's mother (2007–2010) (Dead)

Kinshuk Mahajan as Ranveer Rajvansh: Vasundhara and Inderjit's younger son; Alekh's brother; Ragini's first husband; Tamanna's father (2008–2010) (dead)

Angad Hasija as Alekh Rajvansh: Vasundhara and Inderjit's elder son; Ranveer's brother; Sadhana's widower; Sakshi's husband; Khushi's father (2008–2010)

Apurva Agnihotri as Anmol Sareen: Ranveer's friend; Ragini's second husband; Tamanna's adoptive father (2010)

Sulagna Panigrahi as Sakshi Narang Rajvansh: Alekh's second wife; Khushi's adoptive mother (2010)

Recurring

Nirali Desai as Tamanna Rajvansh: Ragini and Ranveer's daughter; Anmol's adoptive daughter; Khushi and Kavyansh's cousin (2010)

Divya Naaz as Khushi Rajvansh: Sadhana and Alekh's daughter; Sakshi's adoptive daughter; Tamanna and Kavyansh's cousin (2010)

Amardeep Jha as Sumitra Bajpai: Kaushalya's mother; Ragini and Vineet's grandmother; Kavyansh and Tamanna's great-grandmother (2007–2010)

Mahesh Thakur as Kishan Chand Awasthy: Sulekha’s husband; Sadhana's father; Khushi's grandfather (2007)

Alok Nath as Prakash Chandra Sharma: Sulekha’s brother; Kaushalya's husband; Ragini and Vineet's father; Sadhna’s maternal uncle; Kavyansh and Tamanna's grandfather (2007–2010)

Vibha Chibber as Kaushalya Sharma: Prakash's wife; Ragini and Vineet's mother; Kavyansh and Tamanna's grandmother (2007–2010)

Ashita Dhawan as Malti Sharma: Vineet's wife; Kaushalya and Prakash’s daughter in law; Ragini and Sadhana’s sister in law; Kavyansh's mother (2007–2010)

Naveen Saini as Vineet Sharma: Kaushalya and Prakash's son; Ragini's brother; Sadhana's cousin; Malti's husband; Kavyansh's father (2007–2010)

Siddharth Kumar as Kavyansh "Kavya" Sharma: Malti and Vineet's son; Tamanna and Khushi's cousin (2010)

Shambhavi Sharma as Gujri: Servant at Kaushalya Nivas (2007–2008)

Seema Kapoor as Vasundhara Rajvansh: Indrajeet's wife; Ranveer, Alekh and Dolly’s mother; Ambika’s younger sister; Tamanna and Khushi's grandmother (2008–2010)

Guests

Hema Malini as chief guest of Taj Mahotsav (2008)

Hansika Motwani as Chief Guest of Natraj Mahotsav (2010)

Neha Bamb as herself from Maayka (2008)

Dalljiet Kaur as herself from Santaan (2008)

Additi Gupta as Heer from Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil (2009)

Harshad Chopda as Prem Juneja from Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil (2009)

Puja Banerjee as Vrinda from Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna (2009)

Drashti Dhami as Geet from Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi (2010)

Gurmeet Choudhary as Maan from Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi (2010)

Karan Tacker as Shantanu from Rang Badalti Odhani (2010)

Hina Khan as Akshara from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2010)

Karan Mehra as Naitik from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2010)

Ragini Khanna as Suhana from Sasural Genda Phool (2010)

Jay Soni as Ishaan from Sasural Genda Phool (2010)

Pooja Gor as Pratigya from Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya (2010)

Manasi Parekh as Gulaal to promote the show Zindagi Ka Har Rang... Gulaal (2010)

Vivian Dsena as Abhayendra "Abhay" Raichand from "Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani" (2010)

Production

Development

Bidaai is the first offering of Producer Rajan Shahi under Director's Kut Production. The initial phase of the series is inspired from the Bollywood film Vivah of Rajshri Productions.

Casting

Speaking about his role, male lead Angad Hasija said, "My character Alekh was a Schizophrenic. Initially, I had a problem, but I really worked hard to build the character," Initially, Hasija was rejected for the role by Producer Rajan Shahi considering his long hair and physique appearance not suitable. After working on those, Shahi accepted him for the role of Alekh.

In October 2007, shooting of the series was stalled for a while when the Labour Union protested for hiring men for erecting the sets from outside rather than the members from the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union as per the rules.

In October 2008, a special sequence of celebrating Taj Mahotsav was shot in Agra where Hema Malini was roped for a guest appearance as the chief guest of the event. Besides, Shweta Tiwari and Anjali Abrol appeared as the performers of that event and Vivan Bhatena also made a special appearance for the event.

In November 2008, the shootings and telecast of all the Hindi television series including this series and films were stalled on 8 November 2008 due to dispute by the technician workers of FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) for increasing the wages, better work conditions and more breaks between shootings. FWICE first took a strike on 1 October 2008 when they addressed their problems with the producers and production was stalled. A contract was signed after four days discussions and shooting were happening only for two hours content in a day then after which differences increased between them while channels gave them time until 30 October 2008 to sort it out. Failing to do so lead to protests again from 10 November 2008 to 19 November 2008 during which channels blacked out new broadcasts and repeat telecasts were shown from 10 November 2008. On 19 November 2008, the strike was called off after settling the disputes and the production resumed. The new episodes started to telecast from 1 December 2008. Shahi reported about ₹7 Lakh losses due to the stalling of production and telecast.

In December 2009, the shoot of the series was stalled for three hours due to the morcha by some group of women when the lead sisters Sadhna and Ragini were shown developing differences between them in their marital home in the series which they condemned. However, they were pacified by Producer Rajan Shahi, Sara Khan and Parul Chauhan playing Sadhna and Ragini and the shootings resumed.

Filming

The series is based on the backdrop of Agra. The series was mainly filmed in Mumbai at the sets in Mira Road. Besides, some scenes were filmed in and on the outskirts of Agra including Taj Mahal.

Cancellation

The end of the series was first planned six months before it went off air when the ratings were declining. Otherwise, shifting it to an afternoon slot was not considered as they thought it might degrade its popularity. The channel prompted the producer to introduce twists like the death of the character Sadhna and a time leap after which the ratings rose. However, the series went off air on 13 November 2010. Speaking about the reason for ending, executive director of Star channel Vivek Bahl stated: "The show has run its course, and both, the channel and the producer, didn't feel the need to stretch the story. We didn't want to end the show once the number started falling. Bidaai has been a top show, and deserves to go like a top show," Producer Rajan Shahi stated that they wanted the series to end on a high note.

After its end, there were also many reports for the second season being in progress. However Shahi denied it.

Crossover

In 2009, they had a crossover episode with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Gulaal which replaced the series in its slot had a crossover with it during the end of Bidaai.

Reception

Critics

On Bidaai's success, The Telegraph stated, "Bidaai didn't turn out to be too hatke (out of the box), but the identifiable characters and slice-of-life situations struck a chord."

Praising the two shows Bidaii and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai of Rajan Shahi's Director's Kut Production as game changers of Starplus which do not have excessive camera moves and mother in law – daughter in law melodramas unlike previously aired dramas, The Times of India stated, "The shows adequately highlighted the quintessential emotions with loads of romanticism and simplicity in story-telling."

Ratings

Bidaai started off with 4.7 TVR during its premiere in October 2007 featuring in top 10 shows. Soon, in December 2007, it rose 5.4 TVR.

It also became the first Hindi GEC to beat Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi to the top position at that time garnering 5.28 TVR during first week January 2008. Until March 2008, it shuffled in and out of top ten shows. In March 2008, it got 6 TVR on one of the leads Sadhana and Alekh's wedding track. Since April 2008 to September 2008, it was consistently the number one series except twice in June 2008, when it was pushed to second by Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Star Parivaar Awards. In the week during 5 to 11 October 2008, it was second most watched after Balika Vadhu with 6 TVR. Its highest rating garnered in the year was 8.8 TVR for the Taj Mahotsav sequence in October 2008. In November 2008 overall, it was the second most watched Hindi show with averaging between 5 and 6 TVR.

In January 2009, it recorded its highest rating of 9.6 TVR during lead characters Ragini and Ranveer's marriage. In week 9 of 2009, it occupied second position with 6.3 TVR. When the nine-year dominant number one position of StarPlus channel was beaten by Colors TV channel in week ending 11 April 2009, Bidaai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai were the top watched Hindi shows with 7.4 and 7 TVR. Overall in the year, it was the third most watched with 9.5 TVR.

As in February 2010, it maintained its top position with 5 to 6 TVR. In early March, it occupied second position after Yeh Rishta with 6.8 TVR. Until June 2010, it ranged between 5 and 7 TVR. However, when the series took a leap in June 2010, ratings dipped and it went out of top 5 watched Hindi programs to 10th position. Between June and July it ranged between 2 and 5 TVR. From October to November 2010 it ranged 2 to 3 TVR while the last episode of two hours duration aired on 13 November 2010 garnered 6.06 TVR, becoming the second most watched Hindi GEC in that week.

Impact

Writer Shoma Munshi in their book Prime time soap operas on Indian Television had included the series among her five specific serials chosen for analysis stating, "I chose Saat Phere… Saloni Ka Safar and Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai as a counterfoil, because they were the first to challenge the K soaps' supremacy, and both were issue-based, focusing on the dark skin/fair skin thesis."

In January 2008, creative head of Zee TV and the writer of Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar accused Bidaai as a copy of Saat Phere, where both of them deals with the story of a dark complexion girl with different story lines for which Producer Rajan Shahi stated, "Why is the comparison being made after four months of Bidaai's launch? Is it because our show is doing better?".

Dialogue from the episode aired on 6 October 2009, was said by Angad Hasija on Valmiki to have offended the Valmiki community and the series telecast had a black out in Punjab for 2 months. When Punjab police came to arrest the actor and Producer Rajan Shahi after a FIR was filed on them, but they got interim bail. In September 2009, Information and broadcasting ministry sent a notice to Star regarding it. When Star and Producer approached Punjab and Haryana High Court to quash the FIR stating that they did not intend to hurt the feelings of Valmiki Community and the FIR was due to the out of context misinterpretation of that dialogue. However, court dismissed their queries and stated them to face the trial. When it was taken over to Supreme court, they also dismissed stating the same. Later, on arguments in the court, the FIR was finally quashed and the petition was dismissed.