Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Star of soaps
|
In serials, talent is more important than looking good, says Devayani who plays the protagonist in "Kolangal" on Sun TV
|
Small screen success: Devayani
IT'S ALL in the stars. In Tamil mega serials, former screen stoppers such as Devayani, Kushboo, Radhika, Saritha and Sukanya rule the roost. Among them, Devayani was unceremoniously dropped from films when she was on top of her career as "she got married". But Devayani has always been a fighter in life just like the character she plays in "Kolangal", and she gracefully opted for the small screen. In "Kolangal" (Sun TV 7.30 p.m.), she plays Abhinaya alias Abhi, and the serial has been topping the charts with an awesome average TRP of 26 and that too when it is not being aired in prime time!
Tamil television channels have been a haven for married actresses. Devayani with her trademark innocent smile and girl-next-door looks says: "`Kolangal' and the character Abhi that I play have given me an identity which I have never been able to gain in the 80-odd films I have done! Actually television has spoilt me, as I am not keen on doing insignificant roles that come my way even if the payment is attractive." As a policy, Devayani plans to do only one serial at a time and she is said to be the highest paid actress on the small screen.
Woman of today
"Kolangal", produced by Vikatan TV, is one of the biggest success stories as far as soaps go, as it does not compromise on production values, says director Tiruchelvam. He also believes the casting was perfect and Devayani represents the woman of today who not only has to face challenges at work but also a male dominated society. She has to protect her large family comprising her mother, an aggressive sister, an unemployed brother, a spoilt younger sister who elopes with her lover, and above all, her divorced husband and his evil mother (Nalini).
Tiruchelvam has brought out the friendship between Abhi and Usha, played by Deepa Venkat, convincingly, as the latter is a source of strength and support for Abhi.
What Tiruchelvam has done in "Kolangal" is rework the serial formula. Hitherto household intrigues, adjusting with the mother-in-law and other such themes, had been presented to the viewer as major battles with high moral stakes. But Abhi is different. She neither sheds tears nor wallows in self-pity. She comes across as a strong woman who fights against all odds.
Role model
Says Devayani: "Abhi should be a role model for women as she is strong, independent, compassionate to people who love her and above all hard-working." She adds that recently when she visited the Anjaneya kovil in Ashok Nagar near her house, women came up to her and asked her advice on how to tackle their family problems as Abhi had done in the serial! "I think I too have imbibed a lot of qualities from the character of Abhi which has changed my life for the better."
Director Tiruchelvam says: "Devayani's involvement in `Kolangal' is amazing. She suits the character to a T. The serial has succeeded in opening up new areas that can legitimately be debated by women who are constrained by traditional roles."
"Kolangal" dubbed into Malayalam, telecast by Surya TV in the afternoons, is the only serial that enjoys decent TRPs among the dubbed ones. Devayani concludes: "I can't ask for more. In films, looking good was more important for a heroine in a male-dominated industry, but in serials, it is talent that is of prime importance."
SREEDHAR PILLAI
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
