Horror struck

Unlike movies, Indian television, in the past rarely focused on supernatural fantasies and horror sagas. It relied on family drama with emotional content running high, and a mix of comedy to keep the audience in good humour. It was rare for spook to make it onto the small screen, thanks to its elaborate and expensive process and limited audience. As competition for TRPs widened, the small screen witnessed several changes that looked beyond the cliched tales! With producers willing to invest in shows and the audience coming back for more fantasies and horror, even regional channels have been launching new shows in the recent past. The trend of supernatural and scary shows on Kannada television is on a high.

“For almost two years, the Kannada film industry has been literally haunted by numerous ghosts and evil spirits. On an average, at least two to three horror films are released a month, and sometimes even more. They can be made within a limited budget, unless the ghosts are made to look good technically with the use of advanced computer graphics. But the motto is to scare the audience. These days anything on television influences the movie makers, and vice versa. Even the small screen is being haunted by evil and supernatural powers. However, they still come with all the drama which is a welcome change compared to the same old stories which never seem to end,” says director Pavan.

After the huge success of Nighooda Ratri, Zee Kannada is coming back with another horror tale Aathma Bandhana which has already caught the attention of the audience.

“No matter what, television is always about demand and supply. As long as the audience likes a particular subject, they keep coming back. It is up to the making and the innovative ways one attracts the audience that dictate terms. When a successful show has held TRPs during a particular time, the channel tends to repeat a show with a similar genre,” explains film editor Ashoka.

Recently, a horror drama, Neeli on Star Suvarna also wrapped up.

Among the latest shows to spook the audience is Udaya TV’s Maya which airs from July 9 at 7.30 pm. Maya, as the makers explain, is a unique story comprising suspense, fantasy, family drama, romance, thriller and supernatural power tales. Punarupi Maranam, Punaroopi Janamam, a Sanskrit saying which means that the soul will never die, it is the body that dies, is the concept of Maya. Evil forces led by Kaalanthaka, a formless person finds a soul which was lost 1,000 years ago, and starts killing people in order to get a human form. A witch and her subordinates try to learn the secret. Who will team up with whom? And who will be able to win the secret is the question and the journey of this suspense and thriller,” says director and producer Sunder. C, who has also made Nandini, which is a fantasy thriller.