By Priyanka Bhadani
Indian films may not have been able to produce too many superheroes but television in India is attempting to do that. Zee TV’s upcoming show, Maharakshak Aryan is the story of a regular boy who, during his growing up years, discovers superpowers to protect a ‘mani’ (precious stone) that he has inherited through his family.
According to Namit Sharma, programming head, Zee TV, the show is the outcome of giving the audience an eclectic programming during the weekends and thus it has all the elements to keep them entertained.
Interestingly, the show that will see Aakarshan Singh, a 19-year-old portraying the role of Aryan, is a finite series spread across three months. But that won’t be the end of the channel’s tryst with a superhero series. Zee TV plans to continue the Maharakshak franchise with two more series, both three months long, once Aryan wraps up.
Pradeep Hejmadi, the Business Head of Zee TV, says that the decision to continue the franchise, even before gauging the response to the first series, has been taken after a lot of research work done with regards to the show. “We have studied our audience and are very sure of our product,” he says while adding that a lot of attention has been paid to the details to make it visually appealing. “More than 40 per cent of the budget has been spent on VFX and special effects,” he adds.
The show that goes on air from November 1, introduces Aakarshan Singh, as the character of a nerd who transforms into a superhero during the course of the show. It also sees Vikramjit Virk as the antagonist, Triloki.