#TVtrends: Supernatural shows and demonisation of the female persona on screen

TV's supernatural shows are low-key unfair to female characters...

Published: Thursday,Sep 20, 2018 19:01 PM GMT-06:00

Tanzim Pardiwalla

Supernatural shows have been around for quite some time on Indian TV. From Zee Horror Show to Aahat and Naagin to Nazar, we have seen a huge transition. With content changing by the years, audiences expect a lot more from show makers which is met with a certain degree of improvement in content but, it is impeded by the unchanging viewpoints of both viewers and makers. While we commend the effort, we cannot help but take notice of the problematic elements in these shows.

Starting with an element pivotal to plots, we are looking at characters of supernatural shows and in particular, the women. Female characters have long been protagonists of horror, thriller and supernatural shows. However, their image in the screen hasn't evolved all that much. We could also say it has been unfair on the feminine character in the show and the female perception outside the show (viewers' opinion).

Scroll through for a definitive list of trending supernatural shows and the problems associated with female persona in them-

Naagin 3

Colors' Naagin 3 comes with a spin on the tried and tested tale of revenge mixed with oodles of romance and dollops of drama. Between the transformations and the golden snake skin, we almost miss the concerning elements the show openly projects. We are talking of the core of the show. Naagin is all about Bela (Surbhi Jyoti) and Vish (Anita Hassanandani) trying to avenge Bela's lover's death. The show focuses heavily on romance and in doing so leaves out the supernatural elements. Yes, we see the Naagins shape-shifting and using poison to their advantage but rarely are we reminded of their powers.

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We see a protagonist falling prey to the charms of a man (Pearl V Puri) and her emotions getting the better of her. We also see her powers diminishing under the feminine persona the writers are trying to create in order to make her relationship with the man in her life convincing. A Queen of snakes turned into a mere girl with a crush, all for a man whom she assumes has killed the love of her life. It saddles the character with guilt which we are sure will be justified later in favour letting romance reign supreme on the show. While we have no problem with love, we think writers should do justice to the female character and stick to the initial description.

Nazar

Nazar might be doing pretty well on the TRP front but its easy to see right through the elements the show runs on. The show features Antara Biswas as Mohana, a dayaan that has terrorised two generations of the Rathod family. Between the special focus on past histories, a fated love story and the impressive VFX, viewers might neglect the one thing pivotal to the plot; the portrayal of the dayaan herself.

The dayaan is straight out of a classic Indian witch archetype. She has the long braid that contains her powers, feet facing backwards and long nails. Further, she also has the beauty to entrap her prey and the vendetta to kill as she feeds on her prey's lifespan. The character is beautiful but vain, powerful but cruel. Mohana in Nazar isn't feared because she a strong foe but because she lacks empathy and most importantly, the traits of motherhood. Time and again the show reminds us that a dayaan eats her own children, entraps men and holds only her youth precious. According to the show, Mohana isn't scary because she can kill you but because she is a bad mother and a bad lover. The absence of what society considers 'feminine traits' is the reason she is looked on with contempt by the other characters. The audiences will then go on to look down on the character as well.

Qayamat Ki Raat

Qayamat Ki Raat is another supernatural offering starring Vivek Dahiya and Karishma Tanna. The show's plot is rather strange and it has viewers intrigued about Kalasur Baba, the antagonist and his severed hand that terrorises the village. Kalasur has his eyes set on Gauri and wants her for himself. And while we are terrified of the tantrik, there is something scarier than his evil ways.

Taking possession of Gauri and having his body parts joined back together are the only ways Kalasur tantrik will be at peace. If he cannot achieve his goal he has promised qayamat ki raat,meaning his wrath will be unleashed on the world around. Gauri then becomes a means with very little agency. Not only does she lack agency she is also 'cursed'. This is precisely how some female characters are portrayed on TV, cursed, in need of help and doomed to become the reason for catastrophe. If Gauri forms a bond with another man it will mean disaster for those around her. Isn't the role of an antagonist conveniently shifted to her? The character will then have to carry the burden of guilt and contempt in a situation that isn't her fault.

Laal Ishq

This episodic show features a bunch of popular faces from the TV industry. It revolves around love stories as it is touted to be a supernatural romance show. And, its needless to say that it is fertile ground for gender stereotypes to spring from.

In a show filled it romance, it isn't uncommon to use classic TV tropes that show women as either typical victims or typical villains. The romantic element keeps the plot grounded with relationships putting the women in the partner's role. So far, we haven't seen any radical departure from the stereotypes and we doubt it can be done going forward either. TV already has countless shows with that problematize female representation. A romantic supernatural thriller adds to it and creates a more unrealistic and rather unfair portrayal of women.

Do you agree with our opinions? Let us know in the comments below-

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Karishma Tanna

Anita Hassanandani

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Naagin 3

Qayamat Ki Raat

Nazar

Comments (19)

Alicee @AliceKaBhi

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This article shows that this forum only want to demolish these shows n actors, there are many other show in which women's seems really weak point out those shows.

6 years ago

1 Reply

VARUNI2014 @VARUNI2014

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Please if u don't watch the series never write an article about it ..it is called minimum journalism standards also surbhi jyothi acting as bela and naagmani is too good ,her acting is top notch ever seen in naagin series

Mahir was NEVER A CRUSH for bela .if she fell in love it's bcos of his innocence and b is he is too goid as a human and a goid husband who is ready to sacrifice his life for bela. She did not forget revenge at all. She killed 4 out of 6 gang that molested her ..she is in process of killing aadhi and in between she has distractions too chudali ,shaan .,naagmani stealers ..she is defeating
Every one of villains

6 years ago

4 Reply

Maria @Maria.Jewel

+ 4

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I just follow Naagin 3 out of these shows, i just want to say before writing articles, just do the research about the serial. Its quite clear that whoever wrote it is not aware of the story of naagin 3. Everything is written very wrongly. Bela is NOT a weak woman whose powers diminish because of her relationship with Mahir. Mahir is not a mere crush for Bela, she did hate him in the start and if she has started falling for him now, their love doesnot get defined as a mere crush

6 years ago

4 Reply

Az07 @Az07

+ 6

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Commenting 4 Surbhi Jyoti!

6 years ago

5 Reply

Alicee @AliceKaBhi

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Surbhi love you loadsss, U are exceptionally brilliant actress and versatile too with being breathtakingly Beautiful. From Zoya farooqui (my most favoyrite tv character ever) to bela you did so many different roles, and created a big name of yours. U are among the Biggest names in this industry, keep doing different n challenging roles , we will always love you n support you. And about the article it's really Baseless, this questioning about "love", the strongest emotion which can make anyone do crazy things, it does not matter it's men or women, powerful or not. In Nazar mohana's character is negative n above all she is a dayan so she needed to be cruel according to script and about motherhood if you have watched 20th September episode then you definetly get a glimpse that she loves her son n daughter but want them to be like her.

6 years ago

4 Reply

Suganti Kularaju @suganti

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Surbhi Jyoti is doing a great job as naagrani bela in Naagin 3

6 years ago

6 Reply

Az07 @Az07

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Commenting 4 Surbhi Jyoti

6 years ago

6 Reply

Ann.sj @Ann.sj

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Seriously...if you don't know the power of love then don't judge it.. naagin 3 has a powerful story..she falling in love with one who she thinks , need to kill..but he is not real villain...his innocence is the key of love...a naagrani is falling for a human.. and she always try to not hurt innocence.. she's indeed a naagrani.. loving more and more naagin 3 and behir ...love you surbhi...

6 years ago

8 Reply

Az07 @Az07

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Don't watch super natural series. Commenting only for my favourite actress Surbhi Jyoti

6 years ago

7 Reply

Alicee @AliceKaBhi

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It's totally rubbish what you wrote about Naagin3, love is a very strong feeling that can make anyone fall on their knees, it does not matter who it is. And love always happens in unexpected ways. So your saying about Naagin3 is useless

6 years ago

6 Reply