DC: Vamps in mature roles

The vamp in TV shows appears to have come of age. Even Ekta Kapoor seems to have changed tracks. Television's most popular producer was responsible for creating vicious and evil characters like Pallavi in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Komolika in Kasauti Zindagi Ki. But it appears that Ekta seems to have changed tracks. Today, the characters in her soaps only have negative shades to their personalities. So in Kya Hua Tera Vaada, Mauli Ganguly plays this ultra-sophisticated boss Anouskha (and we can't help but wonder whether her look and character has been inspired by Priyanka Chopra in Aitraaz).

Like the movie, Mauli plays boss to her college boyfriend, Pradeep who is happily married to Mona. Anoushka refused to marry him cos she was ambitious enough to want a career for herself. There is nothing wrong with that, right? Wrong! In Ekta Kapoor's world, women who dump nerdy boyfriends to pursue careers may become successful but are desperately lonely and willing to pursue married boyfriends again. So Mauli, who by all standards, is stunning and super rich, finds herself being attracted to the middle class Pavan despite his married tag and three kids. So much so that she grabs an opportunity to dine at his home at his wife's invitation and is seen running her hands over Pavan's old photograph. The scene is subtly creepy and we wonder whether we are going to see shades of Fatal Attraction.

In Saas Bina Sasural, Rucha Gujarati plays this conniving negative character, Rhea who is supposed to marry her dad's friend's son Ved. When she realises that Ved is in love with his sister-in-law's friend Tanya, Rhea conspires and ensures that Ved ends up marrying her. Actually Richa is more like a toned down version of Komolika, and it appears that evil is cloaked in layers of decency.

But the most endearing vamp despite her negative role has got to be Kareena Grover, who plays Ram Kapoor's ma in Bade Acche Lagte Hain. Once again, in this Ekta Kapoor serial, she plays this classy step-mum who clearly wants the family fortunes to come her way and subtly plots and plans situations, while the devoted son continues to worship his step mum. Kareena, unfortunately, has a fairly innocent- looking face and perhaps that's why she is able to portray her dual character so well.

But the mother of all vamps is back in her much-hated avatar. Here's some good news for all Komolika fans. She's back to playing what she does best; a loud, in your face character in Mrs Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuien. And where there is Urvashi, you can expect some crackling fireworks. Guess, sophistication is simply not her style.