Article on Swaragini

The Indian daily soap world thrives on change, as anything that gets too static will most likely very quickly lose audience interest and with that results the all important drop in ratings, a death knell to any show. No wonder then that there is the ever present struggle for writers and creators of the innumerable shows broadcast to try to come up with new content- difficult when the programmes air daily, and run concurrently with countless other shows, all vying for top TRPs.

So what is it that catches the attention of seasoned, but somewhat cynical and discerning audiences, rather than simply appealing to mass tastes who will watch only for something to do? The makers of Swaragini seem to have currently really captured this magic formula, as evidenced by the soaring ratings and popularity of this story.

The show has certainly upped the stakes when it comes to introducing fast paced drama and some really interesting plot twists, a gamble that has certainly played off by not only creating a stir amongst its existing viewership, but reeling in those like myself who were previously only peripherally aware of the general script. In fact, I had originally tried to watch the show but was not particularly hooked onto what appeared a family drama focused on two sisters and a fairly predictable love triangle where the fiance of one sister (Ragini, portrayed by Tejaswi Prakash Wayangankar) fell for the other sibling (Swara, brought to life by Helly Shah). By no means, am I saying that there were no layers previously built in- there was the angle of two half sisters who worked together to bring estranged parents together and other ingredients like the differing personalities of the sisters and other elements of cross cultural (Bengali- Marwadi in this case) conflicts, by all means not too uncommon in Indian dramas.

However, what had always intrigued me was the presence of the mad cousin of the then main lead, Lakshya (Namish Taneja). This role of Sanskaar- a traumatised lover, driven to madness by the grief of his girlfriend on the day of their secret wedding, essayed by talented Varun Kapoor, had always drawn me, especially when it was clear that the madness was a pretense to take revenge from his own family, particularly his uncle and cousin Lakshya, whom he believed caused his girlfriend's tragic death. This character was shown as distinctly "grey"; he gave impetus for the hidden vindictiveness in the seemingly innocent and self sacrificing Ragini to manifest, in a bid to win her love (Lakshya) away from her once loved sister. What then sealed this somewhat remote fascination was when the story was shown moving along from its previously evolving storyline of Ragini, with
Sanskaar's help, planning numerous ills against the straightforward Swara to discredit her and thus break off her relationship with Lakshya, to a pivotal point when Sanskaar finally gave into his conscience which chided him for making Swara a totally innocent casualty.

In a dramatic scene Sanskaar saves Swara from an attack by a woman practicing black magic (I know, I know- we have to disregard some absurd stuff in Indian soaps after all!) hired by Ragini and his own mother (an accessory to cover up her son's double life), and in the resulting confrontation with Swara, conveys to her his anguish which makes him seek his vengeance. She for her part points out the flaws in his reasoning and makes him realise that the end does not always justify the means and he comes to accept that he is wrong and seeking his revenge in the way he is will neither bring back his dead love, nor will it leave him with any lasting satisfaction even if he succeeds.

Further drama follows, where a changed Sanskaar is unable to divert the now spiraled out of control Ragini, who actually pushes Swara into a river on her wedding day and after much more manipulation and a fake suicide threat, ends up convincing Lakshya to marry her. Sanskaar meanwhile locates Swara who managed to survive Ragini's attack and helps her to try to stop the marriage, but they are too late and when Sanskaar is exposed by Ragini to stop her truth emerging, both Sanskaar and Swara are seen as wrong and reviled by most except Swara's mother and maternal grandmother. Further, this causes a rift between the parents as the father firmly sides with his beloved Ragini and this threatens to split the couple that reunited with the help of their daughters.

What truly grips me to this show is undeniably the now progressing story between Swara and Sanskaar. Yes, Swara enters the same house as her sister on the pretense of being Sanskaar's wife in a bid to jointly expose Ragini's lies, not to win back her ex-love Lakshya, but so that her parents can re-unite after her father sees that Ragini was lying all along. Fake marriages, revenge dramas and sibling rivalry/ hate are not necessarily new fodder for Indian TV audiences but a partner swap after first building up a story between the irresponsible and spoilt but lovable brother (Lakshya) and the candid but genuinely pure hearted sister (Swara), to then pair up the wronged girl with the very man who was once at least partial cause of her pain (Sanskaar), was quite masterful.

This appeals as it now shows a really interesting changed dynamic. The whole thing to me was somehow redolent of the nuances that I loved in Western shows, such as The Vampire Diaries, where they had a compelling sibling love triangle but one whose real attraction for me for the love story between the "bad" brother and the girl. We have many times seen two brothers in love with the same girl, but here it is more about the girl's love being tested to make her discover that the man she thought herself in love with, fails the crucial trust test and the one she had no hopes from, and who actually set out to harm her (however inadvertently), is the one emerging as her friend, confidante and even protector. Providing added allure is the dichotomy of the seeming villain turned good, who is proving so aptly that when it comes to it, he is the true stalwart champion, leaving his honest but very nave younger brother paling in comparison when we see how easily the latter is being manipulated. After all, many (myself included) have an intrinsic fascination with "bad boys", who are not really bad but still have that slight edge which prevents them descending into the boring nothingness of one dimensional heroes. Reformed rakes are always exciting in my opinion as they are capable of turning their earlier misguided fervor to the right cause so forcefully. There is always also that slight uncertainty about them which keeps you guessing as to what they can and will do when needed.

Cinching the deal for me here, and making me love an onscreen TV couple again after an age, is the sizzling chemistry by the now emerged leads- Sanskaar and Swara, i.e. Varun Kapoor and Helly Shah. These two are magic- the screen sparkles with their camaraderie, crackles with their intense scenes and explodes with their cuteness overall. Both actors nail it with their expressions and have caused a real stir with many viewers addicted to watching how their love story develops and rooting firmly for Team SwaSan (the popular name used for this on-screen pairing). Added to this is the fast paced action the creative team has sensibly kept momentum with, as it is always otherwise a bore to watch storylines that drag on for infinity before moving the script to the next level. Of course the entire team and cast of the show deserve credit too for making us believe what is being shown but I have singled Varun and Helly out for their sterling work as it is their story and on-screen portrayed chemistry that to me puts the real gloss on the drama at present.

There is much to look forward to for SwaSan "shippers" like myself in the immediate weeks as anyone who is following will know that much high voltage drama was delivered with a much anticipated scene where Sanskaar gets drunk, confesses his feelings for Swara, which was immediately followed by a molestation accusation by the now constantly scheming Ragini. One can only hope that the pace is maintained and that we will get to witness a credible story development for a couple, who have the hallmark to be truly epic.

By Shruti