Uncharted territory

Weekday prime time of top four general entertainment channels (GEC) is serviced by family dramas. Probably nothing really works better for them than the tried-and-tested relationship drama. All the enduring success stories of past 12 years like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghari Ki and Balika Vadhu, have come from the trials and tribulations of an 18-year-old female protagonist, and her triumph against all odds. There has been one notable exception. Though the dramatic relationships of Kahin Kissi Roz unfolds in a family setting, essentially a thriller love story. Colors recently made an unsuccessful attempt at visiting the thriller genre with Chhal Sheh Aur Maat. It didn’t work. Earlier, Zee had tried to blend supernatural and horror into family drama in Shree, but didn’t deliver the necessary result. This is probably why most channels are averse to mixing thriller/suspense/horror elements into soap.

However, Sony is now attempting something similar, and charting into terrains that most channels prefer to stay away from. Its new 8 pm prime time daily, Anaamika is a mixture of soap, suspense and horror. Anaamika, which means the unknown, takes its story from a real life incident. It narrates the story of Jeet (Mudit Nayar) and Rano (Annie Gill). They are childhood friends, who are on the threshold of entering wedded bliss. Just when the world seems

... contd.