Article :Scent of a woman

India is a land the mystic, but supernatural power can exist at different levels. We have all heard of haunted stories, but how real is it?

Why do we believe in the unbelieveable? But most intriguing is the role of women in these stories. We have heard of witches, medusa and closer home we have dayan, prt, chudail, but one thing they have in common is that they are women.

In Mano Ya Na Mano, we see another side of woman known as Pisach. Here the woman is sweet, loving and is the Laxmi of the house, but then things take a u-turn. We interviewed Naveen Saini and Mouli Ganguly on their views of Pisach.

Navin Saini who is popularly known as Vinit of Bidaai will star in STAR One's Mano Ya Na Mano- Pisach. He plays the role of a man who is married to a Pisach but is not aware of her true identity. He found the role intriguing, "The first thing that excited me is that it is a real story. The next thought that came to my mind was that it must be really scary to be married to a Dracula kind of person", while his co-star Mouli Ganguly thinks, "I have never played such a role before and I really don't know how much to believe about Pisachinis. But yes it sounded very interesting and I don't know if I will ever get to play such a character gain."

May be what was more intriguing the role was so exciting that both the leads actors did not know about Pisachinis. So is this community good or bad, Navin would like to remain neutral, "It is difficult to give an opinion because Pisachinis use human beings to fulfil their desires but then these days even human beings make use of each other to fulfil ulterior motives. So I can't say whether they are wrong or not".

Inspite of not knowing the role, wonder how they prepared for the role? "No preparation as such but the creative team helped me to understand my character and how I should play it", says Navin. The team briefed me about the role and told me it is based on a true story. I had heard of witches but this is something different. I did not have time to do research but I read a little bit on the internet.", says Mouli.

It may be a horror story, but our actors do have special dialogues which they cherish. "I have to say that all scenes were good but one scene that we had fun shooting was where I am getting intimate with Mouli and she gets some kind of an attack and starts behaving weirdly. Actually some tantric is conducting some ritual nearby and she gets affected because of that". says Navin.

But apparently for Mouli laughing like a witch was unsuccessful, "One scene that I remember is one in which I had to laugh like a witch. I was unsuccessful even after many attempts." The director kept telling me that I am laughing as if I am happy. Finally I got it right but even I felt funny hearing my own laugh.

Turning to the serious note of the show; do they think Paschini show women in negative light? According to Navin, "No I do not think so because even men can be Pisachs. It is just that in this story a woman plays that role. In this case the man was not aware that the woman whom he has married is a Pisachini. He is really shocked after he finds out the truth."

Even Mouli believes in the same, I can't say if a Pisachini is actually a man, woman or something else so no I dont think it shows women in a negative light. I don't think anyone can control such feelings, where men fall for beauty women. Love just happens." But she adds, "The audience should watch Mano Ya Na Mano- Pisach if they want to find out about the other world. It is very exciting."

Mano Ya Na Mano touches on a sensitive topic, where womans vanity is put the test. In a country of high level of female infanticide, such practices targeting women should be put to an end. Hoping this episode played by great actors from the industry will throw positive light to this practice.

But if this story did not shake you then you have to watch the episode with Jaya Bhattacharya, it's simply bone chilling! This story takes you back decades, about a woman who collects bones for her medicine.Untill she disturbs an unsettled spirit. This spirit haunts the woman to return her bones. Watch Mano Ya Na Mano every Saturday and Sunday at 10.30 pm on STAR One for the truth.