'Diya Aur Baati Hum' fame Gulfam Khan talks about TV's changing trends and the rise of diverse genres
Mumbai, Aug 6
Actress Gulfam Khan, who has been a part of the industry for over two decades, recently opened up about the changing landscape of television and how audience preferences have evolved over the years.
The 'Diya Aur Baati Hum' actress shared her thoughts on the growing acceptance of diverse storytelling formats. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Gulfam reflected on the transformation in television content and said that there was a time when makers believed audiences preferred only a particular kind of show. She recalled how rural-based narratives like "Balika Vadhu," "Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo" and "Pratigya" connected with viewers, while urban family dramas such as "Kumkum Bhagya" and "Kundali Bhagya" also went on to become popular.
When asked about changing TV trends, Gulfam Khan shared, "Earlier, we believed that audiences preferred only a certain type of content. There were shows like Balika Vadhu, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, and Pratigya, which were rooted in rural India. Later, urban shows like Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya also became popular."
"What I have realized is that audiences do not prefer just one genre-they enjoy all kinds of stories. Every show has its own audience. Some people enjoy urban narratives, some connect with rural stories, while others relate to middle-class families from cities like Delhi, Punjab or Mumbai."
Gulfam added, "Then there are universal stories like Aladdin, mythological shows, and Ramayana, which appeal to people across age groups, irrespective of their religion or background. Therefore, creators should continue making different kinds of shows because every genre has its own audience."
Gulfam Khan is best known for portraying the character of Nazneen in the fantasy drama series "Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga," which aired from 2018 to 2020. She began her acting journey in 2003 with the television show "Lipstick," where she played the role of Guddi.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The golden era of TV serials was something else. Those 8-9 PM slots with epic family dramas were a ritual in every Indian household. But times change, and the OTT boom has definitely pushed TV to experiment more. Gulfam ma'am has been part of this transition for 20 years - her perspective matters.
She's spot on! My mom loves Saas Bahu dramas, my dad watches mythological shows, and I'm hooked on the new-age thrillers. Earlier we used to fight for the remote, now everyone has their own screen! 😂 The diversity in content is actually a blessing of this digital age.
Respect for Gulfam Khan - she's been in shows across genres, from crime to fantasy to family dramas. She knows what she's talking about. But I do feel Indian TV needs to move beyond the repetitive saas-bahu tropes that still dominate many channels. Urdu serials and regional shows are doing such fresh work.
Interesting to see how Indian TV is evolving. I've been living in Mumbai for 8 years now and it's fascinating how shows like Aladdin can appeal to both kids and grandparents. Gulfam's point about universal stories is really valid - the best content always transcends borders and backgrounds.
She played Nazneen in Aladdin so well! 💖 And totally agree - the audience isn't one-dimensional anymore. The success of shows like Panchayat and Kota Factory proves that Indian viewers want variety. We've grown from just saas-bahu serials to so many genres. TV finally catching up!
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