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Rajan Shahi opens up about ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ averting the axe

India’s longest running Hindi fiction ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ averted the axe after maker Rajan Shahi brought in several changes to its story in recent months.

The show, which runs on Star Plus, stars Harshad Chopda and Pranali Rathod. Despite the sizzling chemistry, ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ was under the scanner due to a significant drop in numbers.

Talking about this, Shahi told Bollywood Life, “While we work we tend to restrict our stories and characters. Then, you are left with a lifeless show and characters. Even the KaiRa divorce track faced immense backlash. But when you constrict characters you cut their journey.”

He also spoke about the struggles for ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’, “The channel told us that we would have to end the show if it continues in this manner. But then Zama Habib who is one of the celebrated writers and producers of the TV and film industry showed us the way forward. He was very strategic in his long-term vision.”

“We got a notice that the show is not performing and we might need to wrap up the show. This conflict was a very bold decision. We need some complexity to take the story and characters forward. The whole Kasauli track was his idea.”

The changes have certainly worked in the show’s favour with ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ comfortably inside the Top three over the past six months.