Hindi soaps bank on replacements; audiences send out mixed signals

Back in 2001, when Hindi entertainment television’s much loved beta Mihir Virani was killed off in Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, it caused an almost national furor.
Amar Upadhay who played Mihir was brought back on popular demand, only to be replaced twice over thereafter, setting off a trend of replacements on prime time soaps. Over the years, the audience grudgingly comes to terms with the main protagonist being replaced by a more amenable and accommodating star/newcomer.For small screen stars, there are a multitude of reasons for quitting an existing successful show, from Bollywood or regional movie offers to fee hike demands not being met; while channels/production houses refuse to pander to the tantrums of a big-headed TV star, leading to a change in leads. In recent times replacements of leads have caused dipping TRPs, leading to shows being summarily pulled off air.
Replacements don’t always work
It seems like the season of replacements on Hindi GECs. Sample this: Naman Shaw replaced Siddhant Gupta in Tashan-E-Ishq, Siddhart Arora replaced Pearl V Puri in Meri Sasu Ma, Sanjeeda Sheikh replaced Eisha Singh in Ishq Ka Rang Safed. Ironically all three shows are on verge of closure, within a month of the new replacements joining the cast. Jennifer Mistry replaced Dilkhush Reporter in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, only in a strange twist of events, Jennifer recently returned to the show as the character she’d played! There are also talks of Karan V Grover being replaced by Mohit Malik in Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant and Vishal Singh stepping in Karan Mehra’s shoes in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.
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Showmakers have little choice
“As a producer, we generally do not encourage replacing actors, because the audience has formed a connect with the character and actor,” says producer and CMD of a well-known production house, Sunjoy Wadhwa, who goes on to add, “Sometimes actors quit because they don’t want to play roles where they age. If the story line is strong enough,and the actors work hard it leads to acceptance by the audience.
“Sometimes actors and producers have creative differences, but we always try to make things work. A strong script ensures that the replacements work,” says producer Asit Kumarr Modi.
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Replacing actors is a creative risk
Amit Anand, associate creative producer, shares, “Replacing an actor is a risk, but the new actor needs time to establish himself as the old character. If a show goes off air even after a replacement, the blame is not the actor’s. Many factors lead to a show’s closure.”
Actors are sporting
“The industry is becoming competitive and one has to strive even if an actor is replacing any other actor. An actor has to make sure that they quickly make their way through audiences’ heart,” shares actor Deepak Wadhwa who has just stepped in Ganga and replaced Mohit Abrol. He adds, ‘There are times when a serial goes off air after a replacement, but you can’t blame the new actor completely. The image of the previous actor is sometimes so strong that it is not easy to break it and hence one sees the decline in the TRPs.”
While it isn’t easy for an actor to break into the role of an already popular actor, there are times when the original actor is brought back to do the role in a new manner. Adding one’s own touch to an already popular character is the only way to woo audiences, says Shubhangi Atre Poorey. “While, the character of Angoori Bhabhi is iconic, a lot of credit goes to the writers and the channel for making such a lovely, funny and relatable character. As for me, yes I bring in my own individuality to the character. Also it’s somewhere unfair to compare two very different actors playing the same character, because even if the basic outline of the character remains the same, every actor brings with them uniqueness to it, as we go along the show.”
Leaps lead to new faces
From lack of chemistry between leads (Kratika Sengar and Ssharad Malhotra in Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki), to actors abstaining from playing parents (Siddhant Karnick and Drashti Dhami refused to play elderly characters in Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Nia Sharma refused to be mom in Jamai Raja) , to the need to infuse freshness in an existing story line, the protagonists often move out of their shows, sometimes by choice, sometimes by force. In a twist of tale, sometimes the original actors who’d quit/been asked to go, are invited back to reprise their roles with some twist, or play new characters. Actor Mohammed Nazim, had spoken earlier how he wasn’t comfortable playing a grandfather and had almost quit Saath Nibhaana Saathiya to pursue his film dreams. However, the makers have got him back to play a much younger character in the same show. Says Nazim,“I wasn’t comfortable playing a grandfather, as I had few movie offers to work on. But then I accepted the new role, because I was playing a young man that certainly fits my bill. Although I will be reprising the role of Ahem, the back story is very strong this time.”
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