TV gets spooky: From Uttran to Qubool Hai and more

Move over ­bickering ­mother-in-laws and nagging wives. The shows on the tube are introducing new scheming characters —the ghosts. While on one hand the spooky element gives the tale a fresh twist, on the other, it attempts to revive the viewer’s interest.

Move over ­bickering ­mother-in-laws and nagging wives. The shows on the tube are introducing new scheming characters —the ghosts. While on one hand the spooky element gives the tale a fresh twist, on the other, it attempts to revive the viewer’s interest.

The-female-lead-was-shown-as-shy-possessed-in-Uttran

For instance, Hamari Sister Didi actor Pariva Pranati’s character is often seen conversing with the spirit of her dead husband. "This supernatural element was introduced by the ­makers to make the show more interesting for the audience as well as to excel in the number game," observes Pariva.

A spirit shown sitting on the back of the female lead in Hamari Sister Didi, inspired from a Hollywood film poster.

Then, there was the ­concluding track of the show Uttaran, a show known for melodramatic rona-dhona, which also ended on a ‘ghostly’ note. "The fans loved the twist. And the fact that it was at the end of the track, made it better and justified a lot of things which were happening on the show," says actor Tina Dutta, whose character Meethi was shown as ­possessed in the story.

The graveyard sequence from Qubool Hai.

A ghost angle has also been introduced in the show, Tum Aise Hi Rehna, where an evil spirit is shown to be in love with the male protagonist. "There is a ghost angle which has been added to create a twist in the story. And the ghost is shown sitting on the back of the male lead’s wife, the concept being inspired by a Hollywood movie poster. It has an instant connect with the audience," says actor Kinshuk Mahajan, who is the male lead on the show.