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  (Black) magical viewing

(Black) magical viewing

Published : Oct 31, 2015, 10:20 pm IST
Updated : Oct 31, 2015, 10:20 pm IST

Superstition, black magic, occult Our TV shows are currently thriving on these. And the audiences, too, of course love it as the ratings are through the roof.

Adaa Khan in the show Naagin
 Adaa Khan in the show Naagin

Superstition, black magic, occult Our TV shows are currently thriving on these. And the audiences, too, of course love it as the ratings are through the roof.

We wonder whether the saas-bahu storyline has exhausted steam, which has led to, the makers fall back on outdated concepts like nagins, witches, shape-shifters and black magicians.

Television’s recent tryst with the occult actually started with Sasural Simar Ka, with a storyline replete with witches, evil spirits and snake women. In fact, the show has often been ridiculed for the storyline, but the makers say that it’s all about demand and supply.

In Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Ishita is currently possessed by her husband's ex-wife’s ghost, who is making her do crazy things. What was the need for the supernatural element

Divyanka Tripathi, who plays Ishita, says, “The track is going great guns. Obviously I too was skeptical about becoming possessed. But I am really enjoying my character.”

She adds, “I do not agree that the content is outdated. Magical tales and supernatural elements have always been there and people like them. We are catering to the audiences’ demands. Ekta (Kapoor) always gives the audiences what they want.”

And people are quite involved with the storyline. “One gentleman has been shooting hate mails stating, ‘Shagun leave the body of Ishita or else I will stop watching the show’. Many kids are also now scared of Ishita as their parents tell them — yeh karlo varna Ishita aa jayegi. I think I am giving tough competition to even Gabber Singh,” laughs Divyanka.

Meanwhile in Qubool Hai, one of the vamps is a shape shifter thanks to a magic ring. Divy Nidhi Sharma and Aparajita Sharma, the husband-wife duo who write for the show, say, “This concept is not outdated at all. Bringing back the supernatural element ignites excitement and anxiety in the minds of viewers. We had started it with Qubool Hai and now so many other shows have picked up the supernatural theme.“With the supernatural/magical element we get a new territory to explore. This has given writers a lot of liberty. Mrinal Jha is the one who came up with magical concept. She is responsible for bringing in the vampire. Also, Gul Khan comes up with the varied story ideas. It is a modern take and a very relevant story in which one boy is responsible for the deaths etc. Also, it’s an extension of the saas-bahu saga with a mix of the supernatural.”

Additi Gupta, whose character is forever indulging in blackmagic in the show, also feels that the new storyline is fantastic. “At times when I am performing a scene I myself feel, ‘Yeh kya ho raha hai’. But I am having loads of fun,” she says.

Suddha Chandran, of the soon to be launched show Naagin, says, “I play a doting mother in the show who is also very religious. This recent idea of toying with the supernatural is being liked by the viewers. It’s a part of our culture and our lives. And I feel today’s generation, too, has a strong belief in God.

“Naagin has just 36 episodes. When Ekta Kapoor was narrating the story to us we were in awe of the tale. Obviously it’s the age-old tale of a nagin’s revenge but its presentation is challenging and great.”

Arjun Bijlani, who is also a part of Naagin says, “Viewers will get something different to watch. They will definitely identify with the plot, about a mother who feels that her son is inflicted with kaalsarpdosh.

“A few years ago I too was affected by kaalsarpdosh, and had to get rid of it by doing puja. These things exist in our society. The concept is radically different and the supernatural content works Nothing is outdated.”

Santram Varma, who is the director of Naagin, adds, “I am directing only a few episodes of the show. This is definitely Ekta Kapoor’s concept. It is not outdated at all. People always love to be entertained It’s the approach that matters. Most shows have turned towards the supernatural and the fresh ideas will appeal to the viewers. How much longer could producers cling to the saas-bahu sagas ”