2020, a worst possible year for the TV dramas

For the television dramas, 2020 was the worst possible year as the sector was badly affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Even during the three most important festivals, namely,Pohela Boishakh, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, old dramas were aired instead of new ones. Actors, directors, producers as well as the technicians all faced a lull for at least four months when a nationwide lockdown was imposed because of which new dramas couldn't be made.   

Some channels were forced to suspend ongoing series as they couldn't carry on shooting. The situation eventually started to get better in and around August after people started accepting the new normal.  

Shooting stopped, causing huge losses

All shootings of television dramas were stopped from March 22 due to the spread of Covid-19. It remained in force till May 16. Later, the shooting was resumed on a limited scale for a few days before Eid-ul-Fitr following health guidelines. 

Meanwhile, the three festivals took place. Most of the TV channels broadcasted old dramas during the festivals. As a result, the audience as well as sponsors turned away from TV dramas. Television channel authorities and people related to the sector faced a huge loss.

Actor Iresh Zaker, president of the Television and Digital Programme Producers Association of Bangladesh, said, "Nearly Tk1,000 crore to Tk1,200 crore are traded for making TV dramas a year. The lion's share of this amount is spent for dramas during two Eids which unfortunately we couldn't tap this year because of the pandemic."

The stars infected with Covid-19

Many stars contracted Covid-19 during shooting. Among actors, Apurba, Tanjin Tisha, Azizul Hakim and Robena Reza Jui were infected. On the other hand, director Mizanur Rahman Arian and director Shihab Shaheen and many others also suffered from the infection.
However, all of them have recovered. 

Several popular and legendary actors of television dramas have died from Corona. The list includes Ali Jaker, KS Firoz, Sadek Bachchu and many others. However, the death of Ali Zaker at the end of the year hit the whole industry.

Target YouTube's 'View'

Viewers now watch more dramas on YouTube than on television. That is why 'view' is an important issue for everyone. Stars, who had low numbers of views on YouTube, did not get much attention throughout the year.

However, there is a saying in the television industry that sometimes low-quality dramas also get more views on YouTube. This year, the dramas of Afran Nisho, Mehazabein, Apurba and Mosharraf Karim are ahead in terms of views on the social site. 

This time too, the target of most of the actors was increasing the YouTube view.

However, dramas with good stories drew the attention of the audience. Especially, several dramas aired during two Eids were discussed on social media.

Same pairs of actors

Like a trend in the past few years, this year too, same pairs of actors and actresses are seen in TV dramas. Especially,  Afran Nisho and Mehazabein have been seen working together a tad too many times. However, Apurba has also acted with Mehazabein and other actresses. Besides, popular actor Mosharraf Karim has worked with many actresses, including Nusrat Imroz Tisha. He has not formed any new pair.