Epic tales on prime time

Mythologicals, historicals and fantasy dramas... every GEC (general entertainment channel) has one or more in its programming mix. While Zee continues with the top-rated Jodha Akbar and the second in the Maharakshak series, Sony that tasted success with Maharana Pratap is planning to bring three more costume dramas on air - two mythologicals, Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman, Suryaputra Karna and fantasy fare Rani Mahal.

Star Plus that aired Mahabharat last year is now all set to depict Ramayan from Sita's perspective in Siya Ke Ram. Colors has brought to life Emperor Ashoka, while SAB TV has the kids' superhero drama Baal Veer and the fantasy situation comedy Yam Hai Hum. Big Magic has a humorous take on Akbar Birbal, and the just launched mytho-comedy Narayan Narayan Chulbuley Naraad Ki Natkhat Leelayan.

Then there’s Razia Sultan, the only woman ruler of the Mughal era being played out on the newly launched &TV, and last but not the least, five months ago Epic, a channel exclusively dedicated to costume dramas made its entry in the TV space! 

Clearly, costume dramas are having a ball on the small-screen. 

What makes them popular?
Namit Sharma, programming head, Zee, says that costume dramas are clear differentiators and buzz creators. "GECs are in a big clutter situation with more or less the same themes being worked around in social soaps.

Costume dramas are at cross roads between fiction and non-fiction shows. Just like non-fiction shows, costume dramas create a perception for the channel. Even if not many people watch them, they certainly know that such a serial is being aired. Also costume dramas, with their opulent sets, and their unique heroes and heroines - they can be 12-year-old or 50-year-old (there's no cap on age) - gives equal weightage to men and women.

Most importantly, these are relatable characters in a larger-than-life settings," he elaborates. Visual spectacle is what makes these period dramas popular on TV says Ajay Balwankar, programming head, Sony. “Our nation has a rich culture and history. Several stories are waiting to be told. Also, the emotions evoked by these serials are different. People want to see the kind of lives they led and the way they tackled the problems,” he adds. 

Money not an issue
The huge investments and ensuing risks that are associated with these dramas are no longer a deterrent. “No doubt, these shows are expensive. They have to be shot on a large scale. Special sets have to be to be created as there are no real locations. However, the consecutive successes of historicals and mythologicals have loosened the purse of the channels and we don’t mind investing in them,” reveals Ajay. What's more unlike daily soaps that are axed within three months if the ratings are not good, costume dramas get more leeway. "The investment is higher. Though it depends on the channel they make more attempts to make it sustain," says Nikhil Sinha whose Devon Ke Dev Mahadev started the trend for costume dramas. 

Actors pocket more
For actors, costume dramas mean more money. If an actor is paid `25,000 per day for a social daily, he gets `10,000 more per day for a costume drama. As Tarun Khanna, a popular face in both genres says, “These shows are physically very taxing. Even the costumes are difficult to wear. Though it’s made of fibre, it pinches. Then you have to sport four to five different wigs. If you compare the daily soaps and period dramas on a scale of 10, the latter rate eight-nine on toughness and former just five to six. So, the remuneration is more.” 

Ssharad Malhotra, who plays the title role in Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap adds that the biggest challenge is shooting outdoors in the scorching heat wearing heavy costumes and armour. “The shooting hours too are longer too,” he quips. But they don’t mind it! “The reason I chose to do this genre is because I got to play a larger-than-life character. As an actor too you grow in terms of playing out different emotions,” he smiles. Tarun who played Raavan in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev and Balram in Mahabharat says, “In daily soaps you have the freedom to develop the look and feel of the character the way you want, but in a historical or mythological you can’t go outside the permitted parameters as people already have a notion about them, which makes it challenging.” And if you pocket extra money for that, why not take up the challenge, huh? 

Kids love it
Costume dramas are pitched as family entertainers, but it’s the kids who seem to be lapping it up. As Siddharth Kumar Tewary, who produced Mahabharat and is currently making Razia Sultan says, “There is a lot of action and adventure in these shows, which appeals more to the kids. It’s a visual treat for them.” Add to it the VFX and the kids are sold. Also, since they are learning about history and mythology in school they immediately relate to the stories. The element of fantasy adds to the appeal. In fact, channels have hit upon a winning formula to attract audiences and kids to the historicals – commencing the story from the protagonist’s childhood. More often than not, the kid’s role which is supposed to be transient lasting for a couple of months ends up on the screen for two years! From Prithviraj Chauhan, Jhansi Ki Rani to Maharana Pratap it’s been the same story – the child actors have taken more screen time than the grown-up ones! Ssharad Malhora avers that he was sceptical about how he will be accepted as the warrior king after Faisal Khan’s young Pratap. “I did not know how the audience would accept the grown-up, matured Pratap. It took me some time but people did accept me as the macho king,” he says, happily. Of course, he credits his horse Chetak for the appreciation, too! “Kids love Chetak and wherever I go, they ask me about him. Man and animal together always grab eyeballs,” he grins. 

Channel wars!
The competition between channels is so intense that everyone wants to make it to the finish line, even if the product isn't ready. For instance, Star Plus and Sony have started airing promos of their upcoming shows Siya Ke Ram and Suryaputra Karna respectively. The shows, however, will not begin anytime soon. They only want to send out a signal to rival channels that they are coming up with the show first. “Absolutely,” says Sony’s Ajay. “We want to make it clear that we are working on a show with this subject before anyone else does,” he says emphatically. Sometime ago, Star Plus was developing a show on Ashoka, but Colors put out their promo first effectively halting Star’s project. Before that Nikhil Sinha and Abhimanyu Singh were simultaneously working on a serial based on Maharana Pratap. While Nikhil’s serial was slated for Life!Ok, Sony sent out a release about Abhimanyu’s show first. While the Sony serial is on for two years now, there is no news on the other show. “The problem is that there is no copyright on these subjects. They are in the public domain and anybody can make them,” says Siddharth. 

Experiments in drama
Costume dramas aren't just lessons in history and mythology anymore. Makers are also infusing humour in them. Case in point: There’s Har Mushkil Ka Hal – Akbar Birbal that presents the popular childhood folktales in a comedic avatar. Says Paritossh Painter, creative head, Big Magic, “We all have grown up listening to such stories and shows based on these stories still keep us glued to our televisions. Historical dramas might be extremely popular with audience, but comedy is a genre loved by most. We've married the two with shows like Akbar Birbal and Bal Gopal Kare Dhamaal.” 

Sony’s Rani Mahal is rumoured to be the desi version of Game Of Thrones, but Ajay denies it categorically. “It is too early to talk about the show, but let me tell you that it is not the desi Game Of Thrones,” he says.

Well, it would definitely be a task adapting the iconic R-rated fantasy drama to Indian sensibilities, but till then we have enough of our own stories seeped in history and mythology waiting to be brought on screen!