Prime Time Thrills - Ek hasina thi

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Prime time on Star Plus is bookended (8 pm and 11.30pm) by one of Indian television's most unusual daily soaps. Primarily, a time slot for family dramas costumed in garish saris, lots of bling and oft time's dialect speak, and Ek Haseena Thi is an out-of-the-box inclusion. Surprisingly, a most unlikely viewer, an upper crust woman friend mostly watches the 8 pm slot, and keenly notes the nail biting turns of each episode. Ek Haseena Thi will probably draw new viewership altogether for Prime Time Hindi programming, Like the Anil Kapoor helmed 24 did for Colors.

A story of revenge, the antagonists are an affluent powerful family - Sakshi and Rajnath Goenka with their obnoxious brat son Shaurya. The latter's errant ways are forever squashed by the parents' muscle and money power, leaving him free to commit more crimes'. The protagonist is a young woman Durga, who moves to Kolkata with her father Dr. Dayal Thakur, and they want to set up a cancer research centre and hospital. The Goenkas grab every opportunity to make sure they are painted as pillars of philanthropy by society and the media. They edge themselves as Dr Thakur's suitable partners, strong arming the original contender out of the way.

While Shaurya oozes charm to snare Durga into his arms, Durga is laying her own traps for Shaurya. He has raped a young woman, but walked out of the court scot-free, thanks to his parents' clout; while Payal, the rape victim is in a home, mentally and physically scarred for life. The sole eyewitness is missing, and her sister is dead'. Durga or Shaurya play a cat and mouse game, while Sakshi and Durga checkmate each other. Every new twist throws light on the sinister events into the past. A new character vital to the plot is introduced at the right moment. As you read this, a new face has just stepped into the storyboard.

Ek Haseena Thi has several edges over the rest of prime time fare. First, it's India's first daily Prime Time thriller. Each episode ends on a hook, which lures you to the TV the next day. Two, it is a well written script, where the pacing is just right to bring in twist at the precise moment, when the viewer least expects it. Despite the taut writing, the narrative flows from one marker to the next holding the viewer spellbound. Each episode is 20 minutes too short. Third, the direction and editing complement the writing, hence for not a moment does the story get flabby. Fourth, the casting is simply perfect.

Simone Singh's Henna image is now relegated to oblivion; as Sakshi Goenka she redefines the mother on television. She is menacing, exudes arrogant sophistication, and tigress-like will kill for her cub (Shaurya); she dotes on her son overlooking his failings with indulgence. Sakshi has conniving and sly maneouvres down to a fine art. She is her husband Rajnath's best ally in manipulating social consent. From now on, Simone Singh's signature image will be Sakshi Goenka. Her ideal foil is Sanjeeda Sheikh as Durga. The young actress isn't just beautiful, but has put up a most convincing and exacting portrayal as a fierce young woman seeking revenge on the Goenkas for a rape Shaurya had committed and the Goenkas' tormenting the victim's family to death. Sanjeeda leaves no expression to chance. She is as determined to bring Shaurya to his knees and justice for raping Payal. Looking at her, one wouldn't even imagine that she has a calculating mind behind her beauty. The two women have so far dominated the story, leaving Ayub Khan as Rajnath Goenka and Vatsal Seth as Shaurya in the lead now, and sidelined then.

A most refreshing show, Ek Haseena Thi doesn't let the eyeballs wander, not even in the commercial break. Prime Time isn't the same.

Link -http://acee-thethirdeye.org/prime-time-thrills/

Ek Haseena Thi TV review: Well executed story and stellar performances by Simone Singh and Sanjeeda Sheikh

Star Plus' new daily soap may have a common story but the treatment, performances and execution is par excellence

S Hussain Zaidi in his book Mafia Queens of Mumbai mentions how women are so instrumental in making and breaking the lives of dons. And how dangerous it can be when a woman is wronged. While this story has no connection with Zaidi's book, we are compelled to warn you that the femme fatale is not someone you should mess with. Guess the makers of Ek Haseena Thi know this all too well.

Storyline:

Ek Haseena Thi is the story of a girl, Durga Thakur (Sanjeeda Sheikh), who swears to take revenge from the Goenkas - an influential family in Kolkata. Sakshi Goenka (Simone Singh) is the true mastermind behind all her husband's dubious schemes. Rajnath Goenka believes that money can buy you power with which you can own and destroy anybody. He has a sharp mind and his wife-cum-business partner helps him using her calculative brain. Their son Shaurya (Vatsal Seth) is a spoilt brat, who uses women and throws them without a second glance. Kangana Goenka - their daughter is a social butterfly, who doesn't get along with her mother, but is vain all the same.

Durga comes to Kolkata to take revenge from the family for ruining the life of Payal - the daughter of Goenkas' driver. Durga is rich, calculative and does not shy away from using underhand tricks for justice. She runs several NGOs and believes that the Goenkas have lived their carefree life a little too long. She tries to get close to the family and gets introduced to them for the first time on Durga puja. The Goenkas are now trying to start a Cancer hospital with the Thakurs.

Saurya, who is mesmerised by Durga's beauty, challenges his friends to woo her. All his attempts to impress her have failed so far. His usual trick to woo girls with money is definitely not working for him. And his ego is bruised and bleeding.

When Shaurya will realise that he cannot win over Durga, he will finally realise that Durga - if not the use and throw material will make a trophy wife. The Goenkas believe that the Thakurs could be a good match for them and hence will consider Shaurya and Durga's marriage. Wonder how far Durga will go to take revenge.

Performances

Simone Singh as Sakshi Goenka overpowers Ayub Khan who plays Rajnath Goenka. Her presence sends chills down the spine. There's no doubt that Simone looks gorgeous in Ek Haseena Thi, but her style, sarees, jewellery and hairstyle will be emulated all over. After doing positive roles all her life, this new avatar of Simone takes the cake. Sanjeeda Sheikh has delivered powerful performances all her life; as Durga she makes you empathise with her. Like Saurya, we are mesmerised with her beauty too. Vatsal Seth as Shaurya plays the womaniser and brat to the T. The actor has potential and finally a platform that will recognise it, just a tad more effort and we are sure he will achieve it. Ayub Khan is descent but gets overshadowed by Simone. The other characters in the show Amit Behl (Navin Mathur), Bhupindar Singh (Dr Dayal Thakur), Kishwar Merchant are just about average.

The story of the show is unraveling slowly and is beautifully told, but the camerawork seems too repetitive. When Durga enters the Goenka house for a dinner she remembers Payal's humiliation. Well we get the point when they showed it once, what was the idea of repeating the sequence. Of course, it makes you wonder if Durga witnessed all this in person. We like the blend of the past and present in one frame. It had a very Rang De Basanti feel to it, which we liked. We believe the story of rape; we hope the writers make it grueling enough for it to seem believable. The mystery element will definitely keep the audiences at the edge of their seats.

Verdict

All in all, Ek Haseena Thi makes for an interesting watch so far. The protagonist is strong and courageous unlike most daily soaps. The execution, presentations and narration of the story is A-1 and Simone Singh and Sanjeeda Singh make up for the icing and cherry on top of the cake.

Link -http://news.indialocal.in/ek-haseena-thi-tv-review-well-executed-story-and-stellar-performances-by-simone-singh-and-sanjeeda-sheikh/