Sana Amin Sheikh is a part of Bhootu, a new unusual serial where Bal Krishna is the constant companion of a child ghost, says Mansi Bhansali
Actress Sana Amin Sheikh is excited to explore a new genre that she has never touched upon in her new show Bhootu. “It showcases an unusual relationship between a seven-year-old ghost, a human and lord Krishna, who is her constant companion.” While there is always a line secluding a ghost from a godly element, this show establishes a soulful element between the two. “The relation between the ghost and Krishna is beautifully woven into the show. It was this uniqueness that motivated me to take up this story and character of Suchi,” Sheikh adds.
Television has always provided a platform for all genres, from animated to mythological. After shows like Naagin and Sasural Simar Ka, Essel Vision productions is coming up with a Hindi adaptation of a very successful show on Zee Bangla. Sheikh has not done saas-bahu soap operas and is willing to experiment. “Bhootu is a different concept. There was not any specific challenge but the new aspect which I’ve experienced is how to work with the kids. In fact, the kids were professional, adorable and loving on the set,” she says.
While the show is an adaptation, Sheikh enlists the numerous elements that have been added to it. “It is centred around the child as before but the director has added newness to the story through her relationships with people. My character is of a working woman from lucknow who is financially supporting her dad. I like to call her ‘spunky’ – one who is full of life and has a carefree attitude,” she says.
Sheikh has had a long journey in the TV industry. “I started out as a child artist, playing Savi in Hasratein on Zee TV in 1995. I shot this when I was in school. During my college days, I got into the radio industry and there my colleagues suggested that I audition for the TV shows. luckily, the audition went well and from then I got various calls regarding shows. It was truly an accident.”
However, it was not an easy journey and her school was not particularly supportive of her TV outings. “During my school days, I wasn’t allowed to do the shows as they used to threaten me with rustication. So I had to to discontinue. But nowadays, children are being pampered and treated well on sets. When I was working in 1995, I remember clearly that I wasn’t given any such treatment, nor could I negotiate the working hours. Today, there’s a healthy environment on the sets.”
Since many of the TV actors want to try out their hand in the Hindi film industry, wasn’t Sheikh ready to make a beeline for it as wellIJ “I’m doing back-to-back serials and I’m satisfied and content with that. If I want to give time to movies, then I need to take time out to give auditions, talk to people and groom myself, but I don’t have a patience for the struggle that films entail.”
Many TV actors are also moving to the digital space as this is considered to be the place where content is likely to grow big. “The digital audience is completely different as they are not among the ones who watch TV serials. The audience has split into two depending on their choices and even mentality. Moreover, the ratings of the shows have also not come down,” she asserts.
As for her own preference, Sheikh says, “I don’t get time to watch TV shows but when I do, I prefer singing reality shows.”
Talking about a recent serial which has raised the hackles of many, Sheikh says, “I don’t think TV content is harming anyone. In fact it is a medium which educates people on topical issues like girl child education and gender equality along with its main motive of entertainment. I’ve not seen Pehredaar Piya Ki so I cannot comment on it but the fanciful Naagin has gone on to season 2 which directly indicates that the viewership of these shows is increasing day-by-day. Makers feed demand in this business. The audience has to dictate the change on television in large numbers.”