The Empress Strikes Back

Fifteen years back,when Doordarshan was fading away and losing its glory,with the advent of cable television and entertainment channels like Zee TV and Star Plus,a show called Chandrakanta,resurrected DDs TRPs,albeit only for some time.

Fifteen years back,when Doordarshan was fading away and losing its glory,with the advent of cable television and entertainment channels like Zee TV and Star Plus,a show called Chandrakanta,resurrected DDs TRPs,albeit only for some time. Chandrakanta created magic on the small screen with her royal appearance as a strikingly beautiful princess. The show was Indian televisions magnum opus made on a fairy tale fantasy that was filled with love and valour,passion and betrayal. Her scenes may have been fewer in number as compared to Krur Singh,the famous villain,but Chandrakanta ran to an awestruck audience,etching a place in their memory forever. Now,15 years later,the original Chandrakanta,Shikha Swaroop is back in the same old role.

As SaharaOne airs the evergreen story of Devaki Nandan Khatris Chandrakanta,40-year-old Swaroop says that she is excited about playing the role,which belongs to the second volume of the book Chandrakanta. Khatri sahib penned a series out of the second volume. Its quite surreal for these were the stories written in my grandmothers time,and are still relevant today, says Swaroop,in a telephonic conversation from Mumbai.

Out of business for all these years,Swaroop says that when the call for reviving Chandrakanta came,it was like an indication from the higher forces. She says,Now,the role is more authoritative. I can do more justice to it,be more creative and give it more strength. The earlier Chandrakanta was just a princess crying over a prince,but now,I get more action,more power to wield. Swaroop,a model in her earlier days,did a couple of films some time back and then went off the radar. She says that it was fitness and yoga that have allowed her to maintain the way she looks.

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From a hardcore love story powerpacked with emotions,Swaroop says that the reloaded version is more than a fantasy soap. This time,Chandrakanta reflects the woman of today. She is no longer in the backwings or in the shadows,instead,she is a woman of substance,who is instrumental in everything from politics,finances to administration,ruling people,leading the forces to save her kingdom. A badminton champ and an all-India gold medalist in pistol shooting,Swaroop is pretty sure shell be getting her slice of action on the show.

In addition to new names,the serial has retained its popular characters like Krur Singh,Shivdutt,Chandi Lal,etc. Like they say,behind every man,every war,is a woman, she smiles.

The show has entered its third week,and Swaroop is reconnecting with her audiences,especially the generation that grew up with it. The show has a history of success and euphoria,and people will connect. Also,because each episode has a moral,a story,a lesson,and which finds its way in todays life too, says Swaroop.

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The Empress Strikes Back

Fifteen years back,when Doordarshan was fading away and losing its glory,with the advent of cable television and entertainment channels like Zee TV and Star Plus,a show called Chandrakanta,resurrected DDs TRPs,albeit only for some time.

Fifteen years back,when Doordarshan was fading away and losing its glory,with the advent of cable television and entertainment channels like Zee TV and Star Plus,a show called Chandrakanta,resurrected DDs TRPs,albeit only for some time.