Review - Life OK's Savitri

Life OK’s newly launched show Savitri (Flying Turtle Films) beautifully blends ancient and modern India, by juxtaposing scenes of both the ages. The valiant Princess Damayanti is reincarnated as Savitri (Ridhi Dogra) in the 1990 decade in Kolkata and has vowed to try her level best to be with her soul mate Satya (Yash Pandit) who was Senapati Veer in his previous birth. Both of them are pitted against the Devil incarnate Rahukaal (Krip Suri). There have been previous television serials on ‘Rebirth’. However plots pivoting around this subject will never ever lose its charm in India as majority of Indians deeply believe in the same. The added bonus that Savitri gives viewers is the infusion of the age old myth of Savitri and Satyavan in a modern avatar. It seems that what the creative team here intends to do is create an ‘epic love saga’. The opening episode was impressive and effectively set the premise of this grand love story. It’s nice to see for a change a heroine (Princess Damayanti) who is a valiant warrior, horse rider and sword fighter. Instead of crying ‘bachao bachao’ like a damsel in distress, she single-handedly ambushes her ominous adversary Rahukaal and finally ends up chopping him into multiple pieces. It’s also a very progressive trait that this beautiful princess is ready for a self-choice marriage with her sweetheart Senapati Veer and boldly refuses Rahukaal who is besotted by her. Viewers will really admire the fact that this show has a ‘heroine’ who is good at action sequences. A lot of effort has gone into the special effects, art direction, costume design and the action sequences. The cumulative effect makes this story look larger-than-life. The scenes are a riot of vibrant colours. It’s also noteworthy that there are so many outdoor scenes set in the darkness of the night. It seems that Indian television is coming out of the ‘gaudily lit indoor scenes.’ What we especially liked was the looming shadow falling onto the long cliff as the sun sets and darkness sets in. This is a refreshing deviation from the stock images of a sun to indicate day and a moon to indicate night. Hindi serials are hardly set in West Bengal, so it’s really nice that this show has been set in Kolkata. Savitri depicts the city even more beautifully than Tere Liye which was set in Life OK’s sister channel Star Plus. It doesn’t simply show shots of the well known haunts of Kolkata but also the lesser known curious bylanes and dilapidated buildings (which don’t happen to be heritage buildings). The ghats, waterways and the sprawling Howrah Bridge have been aesthetically shot. An eerie touch is bestowed during the storm sequences and when dark clouds gather menacingly over the Howrah Bridge. It’s nice to hear Bengali dialogues at times which are well pronounced sans any Hindi accent. To top it all a baul song had been added (bauls being the mystic mendicants from Bengal). The thriller element in the first episode seemed to be slightly overdone without evoking fear especially in the adult viewers. Having said this, the creative team also informed us at the press conference that this is a thriller but not remotely a scary show. Rahukaal’s ominous laughter was heard a bit too much in Monday’s episode. It will be good if this laughter is less frequent and toned down in the episodes to come. Also Princess Damayanti severing Rahukaal’s body seemed gross. However the baba talking in cryptic clues highlighting that Savitri is indeed God sent with a spiritual purpose in life added to the ambience of the show. The storm sequences and a woman giving birth to a baby on a boat in the choppy sea in the darkness of the night was also a scene shot well. Despite the melodrama, the untimely and tragic death of the little boy Dhruv and how Savitri as a little girl meets his spirit and thereby convinces his mom that her dear son is no more was touching. The ghostly spirit of Dhurv drifting away on the boat for the heavenly abode had some nice graphics. We also liked the fact that an abandoned child is instructed by a baba to be given away to the church as he feels that the child needs convent upbringing to fulfill her mission in life. He adds that all religions worship the same God, thereby adding a secular touch to the show. The hymn that was sung in the church was melodious and meaningful. It was nice to see an adult Savitri going down on her knees while praying to Lord Jesus whom she asks for solace after she starts seeing hordes of spirits plaintively crying out to her for help. The kind nun then goes on to explain to her how various faiths define death including what the Bible says of it. Christianity is being depicted well in the show. The performances of the actors till now are quite satisfactory. The ancient costumes have been beautifully designed. The title of the show Savitri however indicates that like most other shows, the female protagonist is of primary importance. Had the show been named Savitri and Satyavan instead, would have indicated that the characterisations of both the hero and heroine are of equal importance. However as the story unfolds, we hope the hero’s role will be highlighted too despite the show being named after the heroine.