Is fantasy returning to rule the small screen?

With advertisers and broadcasters acknowledging the pester power of tots, TV channels are giving serious attention to what the young 'uns might want. And fantasy is returning with a vengeance to the small screen. It began in December 2003 with Hatim on Star Plus, the mythological folk hero and his fabled heroic adventures. Next came Bongo on Doordarshan three months ago, a sci fi thriller, and Sony Entertainment Television followed with a rather half hearted attempt with King Aasman Ka Raja. Star Plus however seems gung ho with its foray into fantasy - another long delayed project, Kaalki, is going to see the light of day on 6 August, to be reborn as Karma. Sahara Manoranjan, unwilling to be left behind, is readying its next fantasy opus Chandramukhi and has roped in the director of Chandrakanta, Sunil Agnihotri for the job. Bongo may not have done well, and Sony reportedly is well on its way to quietly withdraw King Aasman Ka Raja after its dismal performance at the hustings, but channels continue to see the genres as a potential hook. Sagar Arts' Amrit Sagar defends the fluctuating fortunes of Hatim with, "Children may have become computer savvy and very busy with advanced play-stuff, but anything dwelling even remotely on the border of fantasy which is well made will run. You cannot stop the adrenalin flowing in a child's veins when he see someone running at immeasurable speed or flying at high altitudes or knocking off someone strong and huge. Take our very own Alif Laila. It is registering a TRP of 0.6 in its fourth year of re-runs on a channel whose highest TRP is 0.7." However UTV creative director Monisha Singh feels, "I don't think fantasy serials work in today's times. Children are moving away from this genre. Our Shararat is not a fantasy serial, but yet has a large loyal following by children, much more than some of the fantasy serials currently on air." So, is it mythological fantasy that kids want or is it technical wizardry in present day settings that they want to see? Sagar springs to his show's rescue. "We have put in a lot of improvement in technology. We did the special effects of Ramayan on the sets. For Hatim, we have used computer graphics, animation tools. Besides, we have changed even the style of taking the shots. Shakti and I sat with a team of illustrators who made each and every character in absolute detail- be it Hatim/ his look, his costumes/ his sword/his bow-n-arrow/ his powers. We are constantly sprucing up the technology to bring about special effects which create a lasting impression on the impressionable minds. The results are there to see. 'Hatim' is going to do better in the coming days." Sahara Manoranjan's big foray into fantasyland with a dash of adventure thrills Chandramukhi promises to be a lavish one-hour weekly directed by Sunil Agnihotri. The show, loosely inspired by folk fable Gul-e-Bakauli, is likely to be slotted on Sunday mornings. The shooting has kicked off with a 20-day schedule in Mahableshwar, followed by a 15 day stint in Kanjurmarg, Mumbai. Sunday mornings, Friday nights - channels are trying every innovative slot to woo kids with fantasy. The current fare - Son Pari and Shaka Laka Boom Boom on Star Plus, besides Shhh…Koi Hai, Shararat and the now defunct Meri Biwi Wonderful on Sony has not taken the genre to the spectacular heights that the new series promise to. Thus far, channels have probably been wary of investing too much in cost heavy effects that the genre demands. Agrees Sunil Agnihotri, "Channels should put in a lot more to service the kids." He feels channels are fighting shy of fantasy stuff. "The demand for fantasy serials is not seasonal. My Chandrakanta (DD) aired for 93 episodes and Yug (DD) completed 400 plus. They(channels) feel that within the budget we allot for a fantasy serial, we can easily make three other serials, so why should we invest and put such a big amount at stake? All they need to ensure is that they give the project in expert hands and allot some extra bucks." He continues, "Films like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have done very well in India. Weren't they fantasy too? There is still a large market for fantasy stuff, not only in India but overseas as well. I have seen these two films and understood the requirements of the hour. I should be able to deliver a good product. Plus I am very happy with Sahara Manoranjan's commitment and non-interference." Are other channels listening? But without the aid of high quality effects and above par production values, serials with a fantasy element can fall flat. With easy comparisons to Harry Potters and Spidermans the click of a remote away, youngsters are not willing buy shows that compromise on quality. In such a scenario, whether Karma and Chandramukhi will be as big money-spinners as Chandrakanta, remains to be seen.