&TV had high hopes from fantasy show, Vikram Betaal Ki Rahasya Gaatha (Peninsula Pictures), starring Aham Sharma, Amit Behl and Ishita Ganguly. Unfortunately, the show never clicked on the ratings scale. To be fair to the production house, the GRP of the channel itself is quite low. The channel leader, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain, itself does not boast of great numbers.
Things went further south when talented actor Makrand Deshpande, who played the all important Betaal, quit midway, making way for Aayaam Mehta.
Recently we heard some buzz suggesting that the show might be on its way out.
However, our sources said, “The tracks have changed with Betaal coming to the palace. We are definitely shooting till the end of IPL (May end), as ratings are up. It might even go on till the end of the World Cup (July end). The focus is on the earlier characters & they are moving away from the experimental mythology format that they tried in the last 2/3 months.”
Ishita Ganguly, who plays Vikram’s wife Padmani, says she too has heard rumours which normally do fly when numbers are iffy. “But we have not been officially informed about the same. Also, a lot of changes are happening looks and story wise. Had the channel wanted to pull the plug, would they have invested so much time and efforts?” asks she.
Till now, Ishita was not been seen much, “But that was bound to happen; all said and done, the story revolves around Vikram Betaal, but yes, with the latter now entering the palace, I will get much more to do.”
In closing Ishita says, “I must thank the creative for they have really worked hard on the plot and CG. It does not have the normal mytho gimmicks. The best part for me is that I am not only looking very glamourous but also getting very performance-oriented scenes.”
We tried to get in touch with lead actor Aham, and the channel spokesperson and producer of the show, but to no avail.