By Anil Merani: The Colors TV show Meri Bhavya Life, which premiered on April 30, 2025, has faced a challenging start, as evidenced by both audience reception and performance metrics like TRP (Television Rating Points). Below, I’ll elaborate on the key aspects contributing to its poor opening, including TRP performance, critical reviews, audience sentiment, and potential reasons for its struggles, while providing context about the show’s premise and cast.
1. TRP Performance
The show debuted with a TRP of 0.9, which is considered underwhelming for a heavily promoted show on a major channel like Colors TV. For comparison:
Megha Barsenge, another Colors TV show, scored a 0.8 TRP in the same week, despite moving to an early evening slot.
Krishna Mohini, which recently concluded, had a TRP range of 0.7–0.8 toward its end.
Other Colors TV shows like Mangal Lakshmi and Lakshmi Ka Safar achieved 1.5 TRP, indicating stronger viewer retention. This low TRP suggests that Meri Bhavya Life has struggled to attract a significant audience in its 7:00 PM slot, especially during the competitive IPL 2025 season, which may have diverted viewership.
2. Critical Reviews
Critical feedback highlights both the show’s bold concept and its execution flaws:
JustShowbiz First-Week Review: This review notes that Meri Bhavya Life promises to be engaging but risks falling into clichéd saas-bahu (mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law) drama tropes if it doesn’t maintain its fresh perspective. The review suggests that the show’s early episodes have not fully capitalized on its unique premise. These reviews indicate that while the show’s subject matter is appreciated, its storytelling approach—potentially heavy-handed or formulaic—may be failing to resonate with a broad audience.
3. Audience Sentiment
Posts on X reflect mixed audience reactions:
Some viewers, like
@biztanbi, express enthusiasm for the show’s relatable portrayal of body shaming and bullying, indicating that the narrative connects with those who identify with Bhavya’s journey.
However, others, such as
@preeshuuu, note that the show’s TRP performance is disappointing despite significant promotional efforts, suggesting that it hasn’t captured the wider audience’s interest.
JustShowbiz’s posts highlight specific story developments, like an accusation of robbery impacting Bhavya’s life, which could indicate dramatic plot points that haven’t yet translated into sustained viewership. The polarized sentiment suggests that while the show appeals to a niche audience invested in its social message, it may not have the broad appeal needed to compete in a crowded television market.
4. Show Premise and Cast
Meri Bhavya Life, with its unique premise and strong cast, centers on Bhavya (played by Prisha Dhatwalia), a plus-size architect and gold medalist who faces societal judgment and body shaming but remains resilient. The story explores her journey of self-acceptance, her confrontation with stereotypes, and her dynamic with Rishank (Karan Vohra), a fitness enthusiast with contrasting values. The show aims to challenge toxic beauty norms, with support from Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who has promoted it for its body positivity message.
The cast includes seasoned actors like:
Kruttika Desai as Damayanti Thakur (Bua Maa), a complex character.
Sheetal Maulik as Priya Jaiswal, the eldest daughter-in-law.
Hiten Tejwani and Disha Upadhyay in supporting roles.
Despite this strong ensemble and a socially relevant theme, the show’s early episodes seem to have struggled to translate its promising concept into compelling drama.
5. Potential Reasons for Poor Performance
Several factors may explain the show’s rocky start:
Timing and Competition: Launching during the IPL 2025 season, a period of high viewership for sports, likely impacted its ability to attract audiences.
Execution Issues: Critics note that the show’s preachy tone and potential reliance on familiar soap opera tropes (e.g., family drama) may not align with audience expectations for a fresh, innovative narrative.
Slot Challenges: The 7:00 PM slot is competitive, and Colors TV’s decision to shift Megha Barsenge to an earlier slot to accommodate Meri Bhavya Life suggests high expectations that the show has not yet met.
Audience Fatigue: Indian television audiences may be oversaturated with family dramas, and the show’s heavy focus on a social issue, while commendable, might not have the escapist appeal of lighter or more melodramatic content.
6. Positive Aspects and Potential for Recovery
Despite its struggles, the show has strengths that could help it recover:
Relevant Theme: The focus on body positivity resonates with some viewers, as seen in supportive X posts, and aligns with growing societal conversations about self-worth, making the audience feel connected and engaged with the show’s theme.Strong Promotion: Backing from Sonakshi Sinha and a robust marketing campaign by Colors TV could continue to draw attention, reassuring the audience about the show’s visibility and potential to attract more viewers.
Talented Cast: The ensemble, including debutante Prisha Dhatwalia and experienced actors like Karan Vohra, has the potential to deliver compelling performances if the writing improves.
If the show refines its storytelling—balancing its social message with engaging drama—it could build a loyal audience over time. Strategies such as toning down the preachy tone, exploring Bhavya’s character depth, and introducing more engaging plot twists could help in this refinement process
.7. Additional Context
The show is produced by Sunjoy Waddhwa’s Sphereorigins, known for hits like Balika Vadhu, which successfully blended social issues with gripping narratives. However, Meri Bhavya Life has not yet replicated that success, possibly due to the challenges of adapting a bold concept to the daily soap format. The show’s narrative, which includes dramatic twists like Bhavya being accused of robbery, suggests an attempt to keep viewers hooked, but these developments haven’t yet translated into higher ratings.
Conclusion
Meri Bhavya Life has opened poorly due to a combination of low TRP (0.9), mixed critical reviews citing a preachy tone and trope risks, and challenges in capturing a broad audience during the IPL 2025 season. While its body positivity theme and strong cast are assets, the show’s execution and competitive slot have hindered its early performance. For it to recover, the creators may need to refine the narrative to be less didactic and more emotionally engaging, leveraging the cast’s talent and the show’s unique premise.