‘Saas-bahu’ genre is fading: Mona Singh

With the emergence of many mystical, mythological and reality shows on the Indian small screen, actress Mona Singh says “saas-bahu” sagas, which were once a household favourite for many, is fading.

“It is already fading…it’s gone. There was a time where people would only do ‘saas-bahu’ sagas…it’s a herd mentality. They (TV show makers) will follow what will work.” Mona told IANS.

Mona shared that women don’t want to see “saas-bahu” dramas because “it’s anyway happening in their real lives. So, it is better that they switch that off and go into this wonderland and see supernatural things, talk about it, switch off the TV and sleep peacefully.”

The “Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin” star will be seen in the forthcoming TV show “Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se”, a finite series about supernatural powers and exorcism.

Asked if such content is regressive, Mona said: “Most of the ratings we are getting are from small towns and not metropolitan cities. The show is massy…Why we are doing is because it works. It’s commercially viable and for an actor like me, it’s a challenge.

The 34-year-old says the Indian small screen has seen phases.

“There was a time when show like ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’ did well and then there were 10 more shows like that, which came up. It is a herd mentality…Maybe right now it’s the phase of supernatural and exorcism. So this will work right now,” she added.

Mona says there has been an evolution in the role of women in shows and added that television is a very women-centric medium.

“I think it (role of women) is changing. It is changing for good. TV is anyway very women-centric. So most of the housewives watch TV,” she said.

She says as an actor, it is her duty to inspire other women in the right direction.

“‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’ did that. A lot of girls stepped out and applied for jobs or accepted themselves. After ‘Kya Huaa Tera Vaada’, a lot of women who were being cheated, they started to stand up for themselves. Now I am doing a show on supernatural powers, which talks about good vs evil,” she said.

Mona claims that she will be featuring in a never-seen-before avatar in the Colors channel show.

“This is a genre that I have never tried and it’s a challenge for any actor because I am not just playing me or a simple character as Paridhi. I will be possessed. So there will be evil spirits taking over my body and I will be going wild, sultry, taking revenge and fighting that spirit to be the ‘Kawach’ (shield) of the family,” she said.

“Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se”, which will air from June 11, also features Vivek Dahiya and Maheck Chahal.