Heroes meet a soapy death on prime time TV

Mihir Virani’s (essayed by Amar Upadhyay) death in Kyunkii... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi set the ball rolling and televiewers were heartbroken at his untimely demise.
Reel death of the male/female protagonist on a prime time TV show since then is a run-of-the-mill trick that showmakers/producers fall back on when the lead actor decides to quit the show! In recent times as many as 12 lead protagonists have been “killed” off for varying reasons— the script needs a dramatic twist, lead characters’ starry tantrums, protagonists refusing to add grey to their hair etc, etc. Is lack of a strong storyline/content leading to the death of characters for the makers? Yash Patnaik says, “It’s never easy for a writer to kill off a lead character. Weeks of brainstorming and research are invested in creating lead characters who rule hearts, so it’s neither good for the show or the actor when he’s written off the script. But at times the relationship between an actor and production house gets to a ‘point of no return’ and killing off the character makes more sense than replacing him with a new actor. It’s never an easy task for any maker or writer to see the death of their hero/heroine.” In the cases where the protagonist is “killed” due to leap or for creating a strong story line, the same actor is brought back to play a younger role. But in case of some complex issues between makers and actors, a new face plays the role — we have to thank plastic surgery here! And in certain cases, a completely new story line up is added. How difficult it is for the new actors pitching in the show mid-way?
Karanvir Bohra shares, “I am glad I didn’t replace Asad in QuboolHai and am essaying a brand new character with no connect to previous leads of the show and it’s a challenge that’s worked.” How do actors feel when the reel role they’ve been associated with for years is killed off? Tina Dutta shares, “Ichcha was an iconic character, and a huge section of the audience was upset when Ichcha died, but were happy to have me as Meethi, who’s a popular character too.” Vivian Dsena, who returned to play a brand new character after his reel death says, “RK’s death was scripted as part of the storyline and the makers wanted freshness to introduce an element of freshness, so a 20 year leap happened in MadhubalaEkIshqEkJunoon. I was brought back on popular demand and the requirement of the new script in a new role which has been much appreciated.” The ‘heroic’ death doesn’t hold much shock value any more for most viewers who know at the bottom of their hearts that dipping TRPs and bombarding social networking/microblogging sites might even get their star back on board in the show if they are lucky, or alternately the fresh new storyline might amp up the spice quotient in the soapy world!
READ: TV celebs open up about new contract that binds them to a show for 3 years
KALPI | EK MUTTHI... Kalpi (Rachna Parulkar in Ek Mutthi Aasmaan) meets with an accident, but survives with burns on face and memory loss. After a plastic surgery, she plays a new character, a role which will be essayed by Asha Negi. Reel reason for death: The audiences weren’t too convinced with the lead couple’s chemistry and the story had run its course.
PARO | RANGRASIYA The docile gaon ki gori and dutiful bahu/biwi Paro (Sanaya Irani) is brutally killed by the antagonist in this high voltage drama. Post a seven year leap, Sanaya is Myra, the NRI from London. Reel reason for death: Kahani mein extra twist
ROLI | SASURAL SIMAR KA Roli (Avika Gor) was shot at a cliff top in attempt to save her sister in law and returns as a village belle Jhumki on the show to set things right for her family. Reel reason for death: To amp up the drama quotient
SHIKHA | MAIN NA BHOOLUNGI Aishwarya Sakhuja as the nerdy Shikha was pushed off a cliff by her husband Sameer (Vikas Manaktala). She survives the fatal blow and returns as the gorgeous avenging angel Samaira. Reel reason for death: Was part of the script
ICHCHA| UTTARAN Tina Dutta had been essaying a double role (Ichcha and daughter Meethi) post an 18 year leap in the show, until Ichcha was killed off.
Reel reason for death: The petite actress was unable to handle the pressure of doing a double role.
ASAD & ZOYA | QUBOOL HAI Asad (Raqesh Vashishth) and Zoya (Surbhi Jyoti) met with a bloody end at the hands of the female antagonist Tanveer. It’s another matter that Zoya’s daughter Sanam is mom’s lookalike! Reel reason for death: The story had run out of steam and once the 20 year leap was announced RaqeshVashishth announced his decision to quit the show, refusing to put grey in his hair!
RK & MADHU | MADHUBALA... Vivian Dsena and Drashti Dhami as RK and Madhu — the forever couple — were killed in a dramatic bomb blast to add to the screen drama. Reel reason for death: Drashti stayed back to play her own daughter, while Vivian quit the show because he didn’t want to play daddy to a 20 year old.
WATCH: Vivian Dsena on QUITTING Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon