Is Drashti Dhami's charm with the viewers on the wane? Going by the numbers, her latest Star Plus show, which had a decent opening is on the downward spiral in the past 2 weeks. The ongoing low audience response must be a worry for producer Ekta Kapoor and the channel, for Drashti is a high paying asset. Popular stars are roped in for they bring in a huge catchment of ready audiences who will tune in no matter what. Star Plus needs bigger numbers from it[s newer marquee properties if it wants to race ahead of Colors, whose recent shows are raking in good ratings (Naagin2 and Shani). 

Ideally any show takes around two/three months to stabilize, but the current low trend is not a good omen, especially after it dipped. They now have a huge mountain to  climb in the near term, which might force them to resort to major changes in the  story lines.    

This is the second straight  show of Drashti, which has not been a TRP guzzler. Her last  ZeeTV show EkTha Rajaalso did not really score big. It was expected that the show will have 3+ opening, but it premiered much lower.She eventually quit the above period drama when it went for a leap, as she did not want to age  on screen. 

Having said that no actor can alone make or break a show, a lot depends on the script and the overall set up as well.  And many other TV biggies  have also given low performing shows. Drashti has the privilege of working with the biggest of channels. She came into her own with Star One’s Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi. She then impressed one and all with her performance in Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon on Colors. She also won Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 6  on the same channel.  However, her attempt at hosting Jhalak came a cropper and she was replaced in a couple of episodes.

Anil Merani