At times, even an avid serial watcher would ask, ‘When will this serial come to an end?' Soap operas are a never-ending saga and it’s not a surprise when a particular character is replaced by new one over the years. And the audience apparently, is quite used to it. “Earlier, there used to be replacements once in a while. But now there’re such changes every now and then in almost all the serials,” points out a viewer.
It’s not just supporting characters who are replaced, sometimes even lead characters are changed. “When we were doing the serial 'Krishnadasi', the lead character Suja got married and settled down in Los Angeles. So, we had to remove her character from the serial by making her die in child delivery,” says producer Kutty Padmini.
She adds, “Similarly, in my Kannada serial with Sukanya as lead, she got married midway and settled in London. Though we took important portions with her before, we were not able to manage, and had to show that the character underwent a plastic surgery. But it was not convincing for me and we completed the serial soon.”
A phrase‚ 'Ivaruku padhil Ivar' (one character replacing the other), is generally shown with the photographs of both characters, when the characters are swapped. While the regular audience has less chances of loosing track, it might be confusing for those who miss the serial on the day of the change. “As producers, however, we should try to keep the same person without any replacement,” opines Kutty Padmini.
In the case of the serial 'Arase', it is said that Malavika had to move out of the serial due to her son’s ill health and Sudha Chandran replaced her. “The decision was painful, but a serial must go on. Ranjith, who played 'Arasi’s son, and his wife Selvarani, were also changed, as Ranjith got film offers and changed his get-up and Selvarani got married and settled abroad,” says a source.
Producers and directors point out that such replacements are inevitable. “You can’t force a person to stay. Either some artistes get married and quit acting or they get film offers and want to concentrate only on them. In 'Sivashakthi', Renuka was replaced by Sabitha Anand, as she became busy in films and also had to act in a play was not able to give dates,” says producer Sujatha Vijaykumar.
Serial Actors look for greener pastures
WHEN asked about replacements, some directors pointed out two reasons - In the case of female artistes, they either move out of serials due to marriage or childbirth. Male artistes get better openings in the film industry and prefer films over serials.
In some cases, artistes prefer moving out of serials due to lack of scope for the character or a misunderstanding with the producer.
“I acted in 'Kolangal' for more than four years now and I was told I would get good scope for my character, but it never happened and I don’t want to stand like a pillar, so I moved out,” says Tinku, who acted as Aadhitya’s brother in the serial. Now, a new face has replaced his.
“I am also doing 'Thirumathi Selvam' and my character is very strong in that. Given the money, there are number of people ready to do that role. If I am replacing someone I will definitely call that person and ask him why he moved out. But I didn’t get any such calls,” adds Tinku.
When Chandra Lakshman got an opportunity to play the lead role in the serial, 'Vasantham', she didn’t refuse though she replaced Vijayalakshmi of the Friends fame.
“When I replaced her, the serial had completed 150 episodes and now it has completed 500 episodes. That was the time the character had more acting scopes. I don’t know Vijayalakshmi but the crew thought she would look more mature than me. I was shown a couple of episodes. I didn’t follow her way of acting or body language. So, I did it in my own way,” says Chandra, whose character Akila, in 'Vasantham' is quite popular and topped the charts.
“In fact initially I was not comfortable to do someone else's role,” she adds.
What viewers have to say?
Like any other serial buffs, Uma Rani was surprised when she saw Thilaka, one of the lead characters, in Arase replaced with Sudha Chandran. “I’ve watched Sudha’s serials before and at present she acts in 'Kalasam'. But, my family members and I feel Sudha doesn’t suit the character as well as Malavika, who played Madurai Thilaka. She justified the role of a female don,” she opines.
“Sometimes it so happens that you like the changed artiste and you feel the he/she suits well for the role. At other times, it's the opposite. When you are a consistent viewer of a serial, you can't accept a change in the lead character. Even in 'Kolangal', Tinku, who played Aadhitya’s brother, was replaced and before that his sister was replaced. Serial viewers are used to this change,” she adds.
uma@epmltd.com