Jennifer Winget, Reema Lagoo and Ridhi Dogra on why is bad so good?

With many popular lead actors Jennifer Winget, Juhi Parmar, Karishma Tanna, Reema Lagoo and Ridhi Dogra donning negative roles in TV shows, we take a look at the rising trend.

Television shows are replete with saas-bahu dramas. And of late, fantasy dramas as well. But while certain actors fit the bill of protagonist and antagonist in daily soaps, producers seem to have realised that casting a popular face, who has a positive image, in a negative role always attracts attention. Recently, Jennifer Winget in Beyhadh, Juhi Parmar in Karmaphal Data Shani, Reema Lagoo in Naamkarann, Karishma Tanna in Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha and Ridhi Dogra in Woh Apna Sa, shocked the audience with their portrayal of a negative role. So, is it a great time for actors to explore the darker side?

Many actors feel that negative roles don’t necessarily mean being evil. They feel the characters have more substance.

Breaking Norms

Taking up a negative role seems to be in vogue with a lot of actors, who believe that scripts for villains are well-written. Many actors also feel that negative roles don’t necessarily mean being evil. They feel the characters have more substance. Jennifer says, “Primarily, it [the positive roles were] became monotonous and it was about time some of us broke that mold. As actors, we need to grow and go beyond the same roles. We want Indian television to be more than just the saas-bahu sagas, and be on par with the global standards of TV. Why does the protagonist always have to be the goody two shoes? Why be regressive rather than realistic? Not all risks are

Switching Sides

After a point, positive roles aren’t challenging enough, which is why Ridhi says she took up a negative role. She says, “You feel a sense of monotony after doing positive roles over the years. No one wants to be contained in a box. Playing a negative character is fun, but one can’t just deliver lines. You need to work and add a graph or structure to the role, so that it stands out. That is the challenge for me.” While playing a negative role is fun and interesting, not many want to be typecast in negative roles either. Actors want to walk a tightrope, and at the same time maintain a balance while showing off their talent to the world.

While the diversion from her usual roles of playing a mother might have upset people, Lagoo is glad for the encouragement she has got for the role. “The audience understands that I need variation in my career too. TV is unpredictable and one never knows how a role might shape up, as the show and story continues to move forward. This is the first time I am playing a negative role. I won’t say, I am enjoying it, but it sure feels different. People have told me that this role is tough, and I am doing a convincing job.”