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Monalisa Biswas to Play VAMP in Star Plus’ Upcoming show Nazar

Monalisa Biswas to Play VAMP in Star Plus’ Upcoming show Nazar

Actress MONALISA BISWAS, after her 125 Bhojpuri films, is all geared up for her debut as seductive villainess on Star Plus upcoming TV show Nazar.

Talk about superstitions and you’ll find a thousand in your own home. From placing a nimbu-mirchi (lemon-chili) at the doorstep to putting a devil’s face at the rooftop, we adopt all kinds of totems in the name of keeping our houses safe from what could be, a dark energy, an evil soul or a notorious witch. A fear which has spawned horror stories and literary genres. Bathed in folklore and myths, India has an unending list of witches and conjurers.

Considering that Netflix and Amazon Prime are rolling out content for a largely urban audience, Star Plus is venturing out in the Tier III and hinterland space with a new show called Nazar, a supernatural fantasy drama starring Bhojpuri actress Monalisa Biswas. The show questions, “What if daayans are found not just in sleepy towns but in city homes, in bustling streets or crowded shopping centres? How can you be sure that the person sitting next to you isn’t a daayan?”

Monalisa, of the Bigg Boss season 10 and Nach Baliye season 8 fame, is all set to play the lead role in the show as a temptress named Mohana, a powerful and hair-raising villain on TV. The actress  had not dreamt of being a part of showbiz while she was working in Kolkata. But she acted on people’s suggestion that she should give acting a shot. Said she, “I never thought of becoming an actress while growing up. But when I decided to give it a shot, I went for profiling and posed for photo shoots to get a portfolio. Eventually, I landed in Mumbai where I got selected for Bhojpuri films.”

However, her outing in Bhojpuri films has been absolutely different. She has always played the positive lead. So this switch is something that she has been looking forward to. She said, “I was waiting for a negative role since a long time. Though I didn’t get to choose this role, I jumped at the opportunity when I got a call. I agreed to play the part without even listening to what the character would turn out to be. Then when the role and script were finally announced, it made me happier and excited. I was lucky to find such a role.”

She explained how she finds the character of Mohana intriguing and unique: “She possesses many supernatural powers, in her choti (hair lock). The most unique feature is that no one can say that she is a witch since she projects herself as a good soul like any human being.”

Monalisa is not enacting the role only because she finds the concept fascinating but because she has grown up listening to such stories. She said, “Just as positive energy and God exist so does negative energy. I have grown up listening to such myths and superstitions. Once on the set of a film, there was a haunted place where I sensed some dark energy. I’ve believed in these things since the incident took place. I feel that there is definitely something.”

However, a question arises here. What about the people who are not aware or educated enough to differentiate between myths and realities, souls, spirits and humans? Will not a show like this promote such fabrications and illusions in the name of entertainment? For this, Monalisa has a straightforward and direct approach and says that shows like these are only for the entertainment rather than being realistic. Putting forth her caveat, she said, “We aren’t promoting superstition. I am not saying that people who don’t believe in such concepts should start agreeing with it. It’s up to the audience whether or not they wish to follow it. Whenever a horror show or a film is made, it should be looked at from an entertainment point of view rather than trying to find a meaning or parallels in real life.”

Another interesting societal reference is that terms like daayanchudail and others are synonymous with women. There have been many other shows on TV like Nazar which have portrayed only women as subjects which can scare. Why so? “(Laughs) That isn’t true. For example, Naagin revolves around a female protagonist. A male can’t enact its character. There are more female characters because women watch daily soaps on television. I feel that this is different since such a character has never been showcased before,” claimed Monalisa.

Netflix has been robbing away the TRPs of  Hindi TV shows but Monalisa believes that TV is still relevant. “Many people are opting for online channels to watch shows and movies because they can watch these whenever and wherever. Despite that TV shows are also gaining TRPs and popularity as a huge section of the audience isn’t net savvy,” she added.

The actress feels that a change is important in everyone’s lives and watching stereotyped characters on TV bores them. A wily witch might just do the trick. Monalisa is betting on this chance encounter therefore.

Writer: Chahak Mittal

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Monalisa Biswas to Play VAMP in Star Plus’ Upcoming show Nazar

Monalisa Biswas to Play VAMP in Star Plus’ Upcoming show Nazar

Actress MONALISA BISWAS, after her 125 Bhojpuri films, is all geared up for her debut as seductive villainess on Star Plus upcoming TV show Nazar.

Talk about superstitions and you’ll find a thousand in your own home. From placing a nimbu-mirchi (lemon-chili) at the doorstep to putting a devil’s face at the rooftop, we adopt all kinds of totems in the name of keeping our houses safe from what could be, a dark energy, an evil soul or a notorious witch. A fear which has spawned horror stories and literary genres. Bathed in folklore and myths, India has an unending list of witches and conjurers.

Considering that Netflix and Amazon Prime are rolling out content for a largely urban audience, Star Plus is venturing out in the Tier III and hinterland space with a new show called Nazar, a supernatural fantasy drama starring Bhojpuri actress Monalisa Biswas. The show questions, “What if daayans are found not just in sleepy towns but in city homes, in bustling streets or crowded shopping centres? How can you be sure that the person sitting next to you isn’t a daayan?”

Monalisa, of the Bigg Boss season 10 and Nach Baliye season 8 fame, is all set to play the lead role in the show as a temptress named Mohana, a powerful and hair-raising villain on TV. The actress  had not dreamt of being a part of showbiz while she was working in Kolkata. But she acted on people’s suggestion that she should give acting a shot. Said she, “I never thought of becoming an actress while growing up. But when I decided to give it a shot, I went for profiling and posed for photo shoots to get a portfolio. Eventually, I landed in Mumbai where I got selected for Bhojpuri films.”

However, her outing in Bhojpuri films has been absolutely different. She has always played the positive lead. So this switch is something that she has been looking forward to. She said, “I was waiting for a negative role since a long time. Though I didn’t get to choose this role, I jumped at the opportunity when I got a call. I agreed to play the part without even listening to what the character would turn out to be. Then when the role and script were finally announced, it made me happier and excited. I was lucky to find such a role.”

She explained how she finds the character of Mohana intriguing and unique: “She possesses many supernatural powers, in her choti (hair lock). The most unique feature is that no one can say that she is a witch since she projects herself as a good soul like any human being.”

Monalisa is not enacting the role only because she finds the concept fascinating but because she has grown up listening to such stories. She said, “Just as positive energy and God exist so does negative energy. I have grown up listening to such myths and superstitions. Once on the set of a film, there was a haunted place where I sensed some dark energy. I’ve believed in these things since the incident took place. I feel that there is definitely something.”

However, a question arises here. What about the people who are not aware or educated enough to differentiate between myths and realities, souls, spirits and humans? Will not a show like this promote such fabrications and illusions in the name of entertainment? For this, Monalisa has a straightforward and direct approach and says that shows like these are only for the entertainment rather than being realistic. Putting forth her caveat, she said, “We aren’t promoting superstition. I am not saying that people who don’t believe in such concepts should start agreeing with it. It’s up to the audience whether or not they wish to follow it. Whenever a horror show or a film is made, it should be looked at from an entertainment point of view rather than trying to find a meaning or parallels in real life.”

Another interesting societal reference is that terms like daayanchudail and others are synonymous with women. There have been many other shows on TV like Nazar which have portrayed only women as subjects which can scare. Why so? “(Laughs) That isn’t true. For example, Naagin revolves around a female protagonist. A male can’t enact its character. There are more female characters because women watch daily soaps on television. I feel that this is different since such a character has never been showcased before,” claimed Monalisa.

Netflix has been robbing away the TRPs of  Hindi TV shows but Monalisa believes that TV is still relevant. “Many people are opting for online channels to watch shows and movies because they can watch these whenever and wherever. Despite that TV shows are also gaining TRPs and popularity as a huge section of the audience isn’t net savvy,” she added.

The actress feels that a change is important in everyone’s lives and watching stereotyped characters on TV bores them. A wily witch might just do the trick. Monalisa is betting on this chance encounter therefore.

Writer: Chahak Mittal

Courtesy: The Pioneer

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