Horror, superstition, folklore rule prime time television

Gone are days when only regular saas bahu soaps or comedy shows could be relished on primetime TV. With existing shows taking a plunge into the realm of the unknown and newer serials in the genre getting launched, audiences are spoilt for choice for all things other-worldly. Speaking about it, Adaa Khan who's doing one such show, said, “Audiences love supernatural and horror drama in TV shows. Saas bahu sagas no longer dominate the scenario, that's why makers are dishing out a wide variety of content.“ Here's taking a look at shows that are banking heavily on superstition and folklore...

Naagin: While we've had icchadharin naagins swaying in and out of prime-time shows in the past, it is probably the first time that an entire show is centred around her. Opulent and lavishly mounted, the show stars Arjun Bijlani, Mouni Roy and Adaa Khan. Arjun says, “Fantasy fiction shows appeal to everyone, including the youth. These shows are about concepts that we don't see on TV often.These stories packed with drama,suspense and romance make for good content."

Ye Hai Mohabbatein: One of television's most loved couples, Raman and Ishita have so far enjoyed a regular family life, at least as per television standards. But all that has changed now that the family has hit a crisis headlong as Ishita (Divyanka Tripathi) gets possessed by Shagun's (Anita Hasnandani) ghost and is wreaking havoc on the family. The family tries various means to contain the 'possessed' Ishita while battling the dilemma of stopping Shagun.

Kaala Teeka: Aimed at bringing to the fore superstitions around the concept of 'evil eye' that is hugely prevalent among various sections of society, the show traces the lives of two girls one of whom, Kaali, is considered as the evil eye charm for the other, Gauri. Doomed to be dressed always in nothing but black and stay close to Gauri, to wade off any bad luck that might befall her, the show aims to spread awareness about this social evil. Deeya Singh, the show's producer, said, “With this show we aim to go beyond love stories and family dramas as it's a topic socially relevant in both rural and urban India, with many people practising some or the other thing to ward off evil. We have tried to explore what happens when one goes to the extreme with superstitions and delves into the realm of darker space where heshe does not flinch before harming another person and how it all turns out to be futile in the end."

Sasural Simar Ka: Sasuraal Simar Ka's supernatural tryst has existed for as long as one can remember. Just as Simar and her family got rid of one daayan, Mohini (Pratyusha Banerjee) there was another, Indravati (Reshmi Ghosh) ready to take her place. The show has had in the past a naagin played by Sara Khan and a ghost played by Neetha Shetty.

Qubool Hai: Qubool Hai is another show that has been shouldered by multiple daayans, djinns, ghosts and their brethren, that have taken the story forward. To accommodate the many supernatural characters, the show has also gone for multiple track changes. The current track sees,Afreen (Pooja Bose), made famous as Shiva's Parvati in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, playing a daayan, out to wreck Mahira (Surbhi Jyoti's) life.

Darr Sabko Lagta Hai: Bipasha Basu's television debut vehicle, Darr Sabko Lagta Hai, will see her playing a narrator with various stories dealing in the realm of supernatural being narrated. To be aired as an episodic, the show will be a finite one with 26 episodes in all.

Fear Files: This show that deals with stories about paranormal activities, has enjoyed a successful run and is all set to get revamped as Fear Files -Shraddha vs Shaitaan. The show will be presented by Rati Pandey, who will be acting in as well as hosting the show.