Small screen, big action

While TV shows replicate many aspects from Bollywood, including story tracks, fashion style and even hit songs, action had been one thing that didn’t find much space on the telly. But of late, things have changed.

While TV shows replicate many aspects from Bollywood, including story tracks, fashion style and even hit songs, action had been one thing that didn’t find much space on the telly. But of late, things have changed. With multiple crime shows and detective series cropping up, TV is getting more action-packed, and channels too aren’t shying away from
presenting daredevil acts in the race to garner maximum viewership.

Sholay-action-scene-being-shot-for-TV-serial-Madhubala-Ek-Ishq-Ek-Junoon

Of course, there can be no comparison between action in films and TV shows. But grand, thrilling scenes in serials are a huge emotional connect for the audience. With a hero, a victim and lots of emotional drama, it is quite a visual treat. A case in point being a scene in Madhubala where RK has to rescue his love. It is straight out of a Bollywood masala potboiler — a larger-than-life set, multiple blasts, bikes flying in the air and fist fights. All of this cost the makers around Rs 25 lakh.

That’s not all, we’ve also seen Gautam Rode skydiving in Saraswatichandra, Ankit Gera jumping off a 70 ft bridge in Sapne Suhane Ladakppan Ke, and an underwater sequence in Savitri. Anil Kapoor also plans to up the action quotient on TV with his show, 24.

Mythologicals serials are also following suit. Some of them, like Mahabharat, Mahadev and Maharana Pratap, have shown some astonishing action sequences recently, although they rely heavily on VFX. Crime Patrol, Arjun and Savdhaan India too have followed the same route. No doubt, action has found takers on TV, but we have a long way to go before we match international standards.