Kasautii steals the thunder from Kyunki, Kahaani

The dark horse has emerged as the winner. Balaji soap, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which seemed to be playing second fiddle to late night soaps, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has finally come of age, to race ahead of its sister productions, occupying the No 1 slot in the TAM C&S Top 100 for the week May 11-17.

The show has clocked a TVR of 9.6 (episode telecast on May 15) followed by the May 13 episode of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi at 9.5. The May 12 and 14 episodes of star performer Kasautii stand at Nos 3 and 4 with scores of 9.4 and 9.3 respectively.

Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand stands at the half-point mark with a score of 9.3 (episode telecast on May 12) closely followed by the May 13 episode of Kasauti with a similar score.

Kahaani and Kyunki occupy slots between Nos 7 to 10, completing the Top 10 line-up for STAR. Quite clearly, the Top 10 among the C&S Top 100 is seeing a reversal of fortunes with one-time stalwarts (read Kyunki, Kahaani) moving lower down the list and peripheral performers (read Des Mein and Kasautii) moving into the foreground.

The scorecard from Nos 7 to 10 is as follows: May 13 episode of Kahaani with 8.9, and May 14, 15 and 12 episodes of Kyunki is with 8.8, 8.5 and 8.3 respectively.

In all, STAR has a total of 59 entries while Sony Entertainment Television (SET) has once again settled down with six. For Sony, ACP Shrikant Patkar's relentless pursuit of criminals seems to be the top draw among viewers. The interest in the thriller continues to run high, even after four years, with the May 16 episode having garnered a TVR of 2.5 (No 69) followed by the May 11 episode of Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat and the telecast of the IIFA Awards on May 17 with 2.3 (Nos 73 and 76).

The May 13 and 15 episodes of Kkusum has a TVR of 2.2 (Nos 79 and 82) while social thriller Devi (telecast on Fridays at 9.00 pm) is ensconced at No 86 with a score of 2.1.

ZEE is conspicuous by its absence while sister channels SUN and Gemini have a combined strength of 35 entries to their credit. The individual break-up is as follows: SUN, 31 and Gemini, 4.

For SUN, the May 13 episode of Metty Oli stands at No 42 with a score of 3.6 followed by the May 14 episodes of Annamalai and Alaigal with 3.5 (No 45) and 3.4 (No 46).

In Gemini's case, there is one name going strong, which is Ninne Pilladata. The Telugu serial telecast at 8.00 pm on weekdays occupies all four slots, averaging a score of 2.2 on May 13 (ranked No 80) followed by the May 15 and 12 episodes at Nos 85 and 95 and the May 14 episode at No 98. © 2003 agencyfaqs!