Varun plays philanderer

Varun Badola.

At a time when television audiences were used to watching stories of rich families in their opulent homes, Zee TV broke away from aspirational and glossy programming with a show which dealt with the abject poverty of an untouchable family belonging to a low caste community called Musahar who by profession are rat killers.

Despite the show being set in a hut in Bihar and pitted against Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai which was set in a palace, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo turned out to be one of the most successful shows three years ago.

However, Zee's next attempt to tell the story of a poor girl from Rabadi (shepherd) family in Jaisalmer and her friendship with a rich Rajput girl didn't succeed.

Now, the channel is visiting yet another unusual theme in its forthcoming show Phir Subah Hogi, a story about the Bedia tribe of the Bundelkhand region in MP.

The show will highlight a social custom prevailing in the region wherein daughters in the Bedia community are forced to serve rich Thakurs who have a penchant for young girls.

Playing the role of the philandering Thakur Vikram Singh is Varun Badola. "The show brings out the concept of women's exploitation brilliantly. Vikram Singh will remind viewers of Ravana from the Ramayan. He is wise, learned, brave and a great leader.

But like every human being, he has a weakness (women) which is his Achilles' heel," says Varun who is returning to TV two years after his last appearance in Pita. Newcomer Gulki will play the female lead and Urvashi Dholakia's ex Anuj Sachdev will play the male lead.

So don't keep much hope for Sugni and Vikram