Let’s solve crime

Television is taking a cue from Bollywood’s iconic women detectives with the launch of Detective Didi, a light-hearted suspense-crime thriller. Sangeeta Yadav speaks to the makers and actors to tell you more

Vidya Balan in Bobby Jasoos, Katrina Kaif in Ek Tha Tiger, Anushka Sharma in NH10 to Ava Mukherji in Detective Naani, and Ameesha Patel in Race 2, Bollywood divas have been seen portraying the bold and challenging role of a detective, a character which was earlier considered to be male-centric. To get into the shoes of the character these women have had to don different hats — sometimes to be disguised as a beggar or play a seductive dancer and or even a friend to crack the case.

But whatever, the role be, what catches the attention of the viewer is the whole build up of the crime, the plot and how a detective then walks in to solve the crime.

That is the aim to the Zee TV’s new show Detective Didi. It is a story of Bunty Sharma who becomes a detective due to a personal incident in her life and vows to fight the rising crime in her community.

“It is rare to see a character like these created on small screen. She is fearless and bold, at the same time homely. The character is not only strong but has different layers and is multi-faceted,” Sonia Balani says, who plays detective Bunty Sharma.

Gone are the days when the viewers wanted to see their heroine bedecked in finery. People today are looking for realistic content and characters that are relatable. Therefore, even actresses are ready to go for the deglam look and be the girl-next-door through the characters they play. The crime thriller with a woman as a detective makes the serial more interesting.

“We wanted to create awareness in the viewers through this light-hearted crime thriller. We wanted to send a message across — if any illegal activity is happening in and around your community or if there is a possibility to have an act of crime around you — then there is a need to act upon it and ensure that it stops. People have to be street smart today and be observant. Women are smarter than men in general. They have a sense of understanding certain things that comes from a combination of their experience, and power of observation that makes them come to the correct conclusion in the end,” Deepak Rajadhyaksha, deputy business head, Zee TV, tells you.

Packed with action and sleuthing, the show showcases a lot of emotions. Many situations in the show have been inspired by real-life instances. “Shows are getting more and more realistic and an attempt is being done to ensure that they connect with the audience. Unlike earlier, when crime shows had to be dramatised for effect.

With this, has come the change in the glam looking heroines. With Bunty, we are going to be as realistic as possible and through the show talk about crime against women and children,” Balani tells you.

Embodying the channel’s brand philosophy Aaj Likhenge Kal, this show comes with a lot of experimentation. “Though the gist is very normal and regular, the storytelling is different. There are three things that the audience will get to see here. First, the detective’s personal life and her own experience that compelled her to turn detective. Second, how not being a trained detective, she solves the crime through her smartness, physical and psychological energy, observation skills and passion. She is not the part of the system but her dedication is clearly towards solving crime happening around her. Though her approach is very aggressive, her intent is good. One will see her get into conflict with the police officers who come with a different approach when it comes to solving crime.

“Third, she is today’s girl. How she looks at the world and takes care of her family while solving crime that takes place in her community is part three of the show,” Rajadhyaksha tells you.

As the show goes on air from December 9, 2017 every Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm, viewers will get to enjoy the competitive spirit and sporty one-upmanship between Bunty and police officer Bhim Singh Bhullar and how the two go about solving crime in their area.

Any romance between the two? The makers say that there is no such track for now. May be much later.