Meanies next door - TOI article

Until now the most remembered screen meanies were Komolika ("Kasautii Zindagi Kay"), Sindoora ("Banoo Main Teri Dulhan"), Jigyasa ("Kasamh Se"), Romola Sikand ("Kahin Kisii Roz"), Rishi Grewal ("Kahin To Hoga"), Ansh Gujral ("Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi"), who showed their spiteful side in their over-the-top way and were deluged with hate mails. The new age baddies have mellowed down and are characters you can believe in, different from the scheming,

Meet the current badmaash company from Tellytown - Rucha Gujarathi (Kia in "Saas Bina Sasural"), Rucha Hasabnis (Rashi in "Saath Nibhaana Saathiya"), Rukhsar (Dr Mallika in "Kuch Toh Log Kahenge"),

Producer Nissar Parvez feels the monotony associated with the characters has brought about this change. He says, "Those dramatic evil characters worked wonderfully at some level and they still work. But now audiences want to be humored after a tiring day's work. So, playing just a bad guy/girl is not enough. It is all about how you add a funny aspect to the negative character to depict on screen."

Rukhsar says, "I try to keep it subtle. My character is shown falling in love with the hero, so I have to strike a balance between the romantic angle and the jealous angle."
Some say these characters are people next door and not too cardboard cutout variety. Says Neha, "I am a simple girl who wants to give it back to people who've hurt her." Rucha agrees, "My character is very well-sketched. She's a victim of circumstances, so it's easier to relate to her."

Now whether underplaying negativity can create some TRP froth in near future, only time can tell