DNA: Action on small screen-Shaleen

Action on small screen

Once relegated to crime series, daredevil stunts, explosions and firings are now an integral part of daily soaps

Chaya Unnikrishnan

The heroine is trapped in a fire. The hero jumps into action, braves the flames, sweeps her into his arms and runs out of the fiery blaze. Elsewhere, another heroine is being held at gunpoint, the hero makes a dashing entry on a flying bike and rescues her amidst explosions and firings.

While the first sequence was filmed in the serial Junoon Nafrat Aisi Toh Kaisa Ishq, the second filmy scene was part of Madhubala. And these are just two instances. Every other serial, be it Hitler Didi, Punar Vivaah, Diya Aur Baati Hum or Amrit Manthan, is flirting with danger and daredevil stunts. Fistfights and thrilling chase sequences have become an integral part of daily soaps and not restricted to crime series like CID or Hum Ne Li Hai Shapath.

Saurabh Tewary, producer of Madhubala, reckons that with the plethora of channels available, the only way to attract the viewer is by providing a visual treat. "We have a choice of shooting it like a normal soap but right from the first episode of Madhubala, which started with an action sequence, we decided to upscale it," says Saurabh who recently shot a Sholay-like sequence that included carefully co-ordinated explosions and stunts. It was shot over four episodes at the cost of Rs 25 lakh. Next week, he is shooting a chase sequence on boats.

For the macho TV actors, it's an opportunity to flex their muscles. Gurmeet Choudhary is so fond of delivering punches that even when he participated in the dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa his moves were based on action! Says Gurmeet, "I have always been inclined towards action. So far, action scenes were limited to investigative shows but now I am getting to do them in Punarvivaah. During Ansh's (his son in the serial) kidnap, we had major action sequence (where in true filmi style he hit the goons with the child in his arms!). Recently, I did a lot of maara-maari scenes with my step-brother. In fact, I am trained in action."

For ex-Roadies participant Shaleen Malhotra who is playing the title role in crime series Arjun, action gives an adrenaline rush. "There was a scene where I had to run and jump from one container to another 60 to 80 feet above the ground in the hot sun but I didn't mind because it gave me a thrill," says Shaleen who recently shot for another scene where he had to jump without a harness over a car coming from the opposite direction and then land on the ground safely. "It had to be done in one take so I had to calculate the speed of the car as well as mind my steps and speed, but I did it for the thrill," he smiles.

Even the female brigade is not behind. Adaa Khan, who has done everything from cliff jumping, hanging out of a car, horse riding to walking on burning coal in Amrit Manthan says, "My feet were burning slightly but I was more worried that one wrong move could burn my saree. I have never come so close to fire in real life." Chitrashi Rawat who is playing a cop in FIR is excited that she will be beating goons. "I may hurt myself but I am prepared for it. Imagine getting a chance to do Dabangg type action," grins Chitrashi.

Attributing the growing action on TV to increase in the production values Ajit Thakur, general manager, Life Ok, says that the small-screen is becoming larger-than-life. As producer Yash Patnaik aptly puts it, "We are used to seeing action sequences in films so why not on TV, which is a very big medium." Why not, indeed!