Content Hub
Fantasy gives creative liberty to writers
MUMBAI: Writers of the show Naagin, Mukta Dhond and Mrinal Jha, explored the scope of supernatural genre at day two of The Content Hub 2020 organised by indiantelevision.com.
Dhond thinks the most exciting thing about fantasy is that it gives creative liberty to writers. As they say, anything is possible in the fantasy world which usually is not possible in other normal stories. There are some real stories; outside of that there is a whole world of small creatures that have a power. Naagin is a female superhero and there are very few female superheroes worldwide, especially here in India.
“For example, Naagin's biggest attraction when we started was that here is a woman who does what she wants to, who has a power. She is able to fight back and takes revenge, but the world doesn’t hate her. The character can do unimaginable things that we cannot think of. That is the beauty of supernatural shows.”
Mrinal Jha said, “Supernatural genre also demands pace in writing which sometimes is a challenge. The struggle is to find something new to tell every week.”
Sharing the same sentiments, Mukta said: “People in India don't have patience. They want romance, action, drama all in one episode. So, the volume of content generation in supernatural genre like Naagin or Nazar becomes high. It is like surprising yourself and the audience every day.”
The panelists also agreed that the one good thing about supernatural genre is that you can discover finer sub-classifications which make one show different from the other.
Mumbai: Exploring the shift from regional to national content, this synopsis delves into the trends and challenges. It navigates the transformation, analyzing industry dynamics, emerging trends, and the hurdles faced. From preserving regional variation to adapting to a broader audience, it examines the multifaceted journey of regional content evolving into a national narrative. In what ways do the emerging trends and challenges influence the dynamics of the entertainment industry during this transition? How can creators navigate these changes effectively? What strategic approaches can content creators adopt to strike a balance between maintaining regional identity and fostering a cohesive national narrative in their work? How can the transition from ‘regional’ to ‘national content’ impact cultural diversity within the entertainment industry, and what measures can be taken to ensure the preservation of regional variation?
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, seasoned industry professionals have offered valuable insights into the transformation of content consumption and production. The session was chaired by Ernst and Young partner Raghav Anand, MMTV chief executive officer P.R. Satheesh, Sony Marathi business head Ajay Bhalwankar, PTC Network chairman & MD Rabindra Narayan, Shemaroo Entertainment COO, Digital, Saurabh Srivastava esteemed voices in the field, have articulated their perspectives on the burgeoning shift towards globalised content.
Rabindra Narayan emphasised the dissolution of regional boundaries in content consumption, attributing it to the accessibility facilitated by global platforms and connectivity options. He predicts a future where language barriers will fade, citing the potential of technology to clone and adapt voices, thus enabling seamless localization across languages.
Saurabh highlighted the democratisation of content creation in the digital era, underscoring its empowerment and revenue potential, particularly in linguistically diverse markets like India. He emphasizes the value of culturally rooted storytelling in filling gaps in content supply, with technology enabling effective monetization, especially through OTT platforms.
Ajay Bhalwan sheds light on the evolving landscape of Hindi and regional language content, noting a significant shift where a substantial portion of content on Hindi film channels originates from regional languages. He accentuates the importance of language in enhancing authenticity and audience engagement, exemplified by the strong resonance of Marathi content in Maharashtra.
PR Satheesh underscored the paramount importance of content quality in driving viewership and transcending language barriers. Drawing parallels with the global popularity of Korean dramas, he advocates for leveraging technology, including AI and real-time translations, to enhance content creation and distribution.
These insightful perspectives collectively echoed the industry’s adaptation to a globalised content landscape, where technology catalyzes innovation and accessibility. As content continues to evolve, these experts offered valuable guidance on navigating the dynamic media landscape and maximizing the impact of storytelling in diverse markets worldwide.
