The Czarina of TV soaps, Ekta Kapoor, set the trend with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii , Kasautii Zindagi Kii and many many more. The glamorous vamp and helpless meek female character lead caught the fancy of every woman in India. TRPs of the ‘K Series’ shot to an unimaginable level. And then there was no looking back. Every production company inculcated this formula and soap operas came for five days a week.

 

The vamps were identified by their clothes. Noodle straps blouses, shimmering saris, huge danglers and loud make up. Their styles were imitated and talked about across the nation on news channels and newspapers. The popularity effect was seen in shops where women wanted exactly the same kind of attire. No matter how low these vamps stooped to snatch the husbands of others or plotted to kill anyone that came in their way, they were admired for what they wore and how they did their makeup.

 

Every soap had to have the bitchiest of the vamps and make sure she wears a bigger bindi than the other. They gained so much popularity that they were showered with love by their names used on screen even when they were off screen. They became overnight stars and were showered with invitations to perform at shows or cut ribbons for every new store opening in the city.

 

The main leads weren’t sidelined either. They were portrayed to be such lovely helpless human beings that they were sympathised for their helpless situations even off screen. These main lead actresses were born to shed tears at a drop of a hat and take the avatar of a saviour when the family was in trouble. The best part was, whether they shed tears or took over reigns of the vast empires of their husbands, they was always triumphant.

 

The lead actress, from Tulsi to Parvati, was loved for her good values, even though she married multiple times or managed to get pregnant before she was wedded. No matter what she did, she always forgiven and accepted, as she handed over the keys to run the household and manage the vast families. Her saris were pretty and hair neatly done, wore the heaviest of jewellery to show that she was the daughter in laws of the most affluent family. She also wore the longest of mangalsutras and put the brightest sindoors, as a sign of dedication to her husband.

 

These modern Sitas were so blessed that every prayer of theirs were heard and their dead husbands came back from the grave because, they made sure they sang to the lord every single day and never let the lamp die.

 

The best part was that every household had the biggest of the families. No couple ever lived alone in an apartment. Every husband had a supportive father, a very evil mother (the saas), some four brothers, from which at least three were married and one a bachelor and a sister, who always got into trouble, whether married or a spinster. When the soap ran out of plots, there were always distant cousins that brewed enough trouble for the family and also some step siblings to ass fuel to the fire.

 

Every family lived in palatial houses, were the biggest of businessmen(though they always had sufficient time to be at home and have multiple affairs ), wore the best of clothes and had the swankiest cars. No matter what religion they belonged to, every festival was celebrated with much extravagance .They laughed, cried, ate, slept, walked together and swept the nation off their feet.

 

Here's a toast to those stars, who were swept away by the tide of reality TV and talent hunts.