TOI:TV actresses go natural

Television actresses all caked up and wearing kilograms of jewellery are passe. Now most daily soaps have re-invented the look of their leading ladies, who are shown wearing natural makeup and minimal jewellery on the small screen. Whether it is Ankita Lokhande in "Pavitra Rishta" or Sakshi Tanwar in " Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", the look of actresses has changed for the better.
On audience demand

TV actress Divyanka Tripathi, who is currently seen in "Chintu Chinky Aur Ek Badi Si Love Story", says that viewers now want to see only relatable characters on TV. "It is the audience's demand, who now want to see the characters in their natural look. Gone are the days when actresses used to cut vegetables wearing heavy bangles and loose hair. Now the audience wants to see relatable characters. There was a time when serials like "Hum Log" and "Nukkad" ruled the roost in which the actresses used to wear minimal makeup and the look of the characters was very subtle. I think the audience got bored of all the simplicity and subtlety. Then came an era where there was loud background music, heavy makeup and jewellery, gaudy clothes... everything was over the top. But things are again changing. Now the audience wants the fresh and simple look back," says Divyanka, who was first seen in the family drama "Banoo Main Teri Dulhann".

She adds, "Actually, now a lot of research goes into deciding the look of the character. We have a team which conducts surveys in different cities, asking them how they want the look of a particular character. It is they who decide if Chinky will keep her hair loose or tie it in a bun."

Research based
Says Neha Marda aka Gehna of "Balika Vadhu", who feels viewers are more aware and want to see only what they can easily relate to. "The trend is changing. People are more aware now and won't accept anything and everything that is served to them. A lot of research is done on the look of characters. Even in "Balika Vadhu", the characters are not shown wearing heavy jewellery. If you see my look in the serial, I just have a dash of kajal and lip gloss on. Directors are making serials that are closer to reality," says Neha.

TV content is evolving
Ravindra Gautam, director of "Parichay" and "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain", says, "Things have changed for the better. Shows have become very realistic now. I personally prefer to stick to what the script demands. And scripts of all my shows are very realistic. Even in my new serial "Kya Hua Tera Vaada", Mona's look is very natural. After all, she is a housewife in a middle-class family, how can she remain decked up all the time? In "Bade Achhe" also, the look that Sakshi sports is very natural. Viewers are bored to see actresses decked up all the time. Arre bhai, woh bhi toh sote hain... night gown pehente hain."

The Script is more important
Kritika Kamra of "Kuch Toh Log Kahenge" feels that the trend is a conscious decision taken by serial makers who are now concentrating more on the script. "TV content is changing. Now the script has everything realistic. My character in "Kuch Toh" wears kurtis, tops, jeans, tracksuits, as well as saris - something that a normal college-going girl can relate to. Even the colour tone of the serials has changed to bright and colourful. There are more of outdoor scenes. I agree that kitchen dramas still exist, but in none of the serials do I find actors wearing huge danglers and heavy makeup. All that was part of old-school television and thank God, I'm not part of it."

Dangling mangalsutras? No
Sumona Chakravarty , who plays the role of Natasha Kapoor in "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" is happy she doesnt have to wear a heavy mangalsutra in the serial. "When my character got married, it was expected that my look will change from a trendy girl to a heavily laden bahu. But thankfully, the makers decided that the freshness of the character should be maintained. I wear very less makeup and just a small mangalsutra. In fact, if it is a night ka scene, I prefer doing the shot without makeup and the director is also okay with it. After all it only makes sense. Who sleeps in saris? I'm a no-jewellery person, so I'm loving the change," says Sumona.

It's a progression
Rajan Shahi, producer of shows like "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai", and "Hawan", says, "The audience has become more choosy and more demanding now. There is no falseness now. If we show a poor family wearing nice clothes, they complain. They say, 'arrey dekho, aise toh khane ko kuch nahi hai, aur sabne itni heavy jewellery pehen rakhi hai.' Therefore, we too have to be more careful now." But things were not the same a decade ago for Rajan. Says he, "I won't name anybody, but earlier, when I directed serials, the producers would force me saying, heroine ko heavy jewellery aur makeup pehnao. The actress should look pretty even when she's sleeping. The eyeshadow should be clearly visible. Par ab aisa nahi hai. It's a progression and it is good that things are changing."

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