New YouTube channel plays shows that are a throwback to television

A still fromâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Maid In India

The world of web series has mostly been one of edgy stories exploring the boundaries of what the Indian audience wants. In this environment, popular new entrants like Samadhan ki Samasya, a satirical series about a helpline operator and Maid in India, about a foreign-returned domestic help, stand out with their look, treatment and script, and could be called a throwback to television.

A still from Samadhan KiâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Samasya

Virendra Shahaney, founder of Web Talkies, the YouTube channel airing both series, however denies that it is a throwback. He says that it is just good content which the Indian viewer has always liked. "One does not necessarily have to shift dramatically to find stories that would be appreciated. If you look at all web shows, the ones that have worked are stories and concepts which the Indian audience can connect with," he says.

Virendra Sahaney

After launching the seventh episode of Samadhan this week, Web Talkies also launched a contest to get feedback from people. The response, Shahaney says, has been very heartening.

The lead character of Samadhan is an honest man who is stuck in a very complicated job. In the bid to carry out his job honestly, he often makes a mess of the situation, and has become a character the audience loves to hate.

"Keeping his popularity in mind, we thought it would be great to pose a direct question and gauge the different parameters through which viewers relate with the operator's character. Everyone has, at some point of time, been in this unenviable situation of handling a job or a situation for which they are completely ill-equipped. Thus, we wanted to explore the different emotions felt by viewers towards a helpline operator who obviously needs some help himself," he says.

Shahaney, who was earlier the head of a television channel, is hopeful of the future of web entertainment. "Of course, there is a huge untapped potential. In homes where people still regularly watch television, it is more or less controlled by one or two family members. With videos flowing in your phone and laptops, four people are following four different shows now," he says.

It is to this end that Web Talkies launched the Manoranjan ke 100 Din campaign, which will continue till October 21 with a series of contests and events to engage the audience.