Apara Mehta : There is a dearth of good scripts in TV serials

- 'Most of the shows on TV today have interesting plots. On TV now I watch only for cameo roles. It is a pity that good writing is missing on TV today.'

It has been 25 years since the show 'Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka', but the audience and the talented actress Apra Mehta have not forgotten this unforgettable TV show at all. It is no exaggeration to say that family drama started on TV only through this show. Apart from Apara Mehta, Ajit Vacchani, Vandana Pathak, Supriya Pathak, Sarita Joshi Deven Bhojani and other actors gave a unique color in this show and won a special place in the hearts of the viewers. The show completed 1,000 episodes and set a record.

Recalling the stories associated with this show, Apra Mehta says, 'Ahmedabad Doordarshan Mare was planned to make a daily soap with talented Gujarati theater actors. The show is produced by Shobhana Desai and Vipul A. Shah wanted to make it bilingual—in Gujarati and Hindi. We'll never get a cast like this again. Talented theater actors with a good grasp of language had no idea that Daily Main Kitna Kaam Hota Hai. He felt that there was no end to such work. The screenplay was written in Hindi and the scenes were to be shot later. We the actors would then translate it into Gujarati and shoot it. Take a look at today's TV shows. Good writing is rare on TV. Talking about this show, it started telecasting and became a hit, so the payment was increased to Rs 1,500 per day. We had strong characters to play.' Apara Mehta feels that 'Ek Mahal Ho Sapon Ka' paved the way for family dramas, which then evolved into Saas-Baahu shows. 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahoo Thi' was also a family drama, but later it became a 'Saas-Bahu Show' and almost every show on TV after that was more or less similar to it. 'Ek Mahal Ho Sapon Ka' didn't need any time leap to continue the story. This show is very close to my heart. The popularity I have even today is due to these two shows of mine - 'Ek Mahal Ho Sapne Ka' and 'Kyunki....' People still remember 'Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka' and I am proud of it. Similarly, I am immensely proud of the way 'Kyunki...' has changed the history of Indian TV.'

Apra Mehta has acted in many TV shows and films. Today, he regrets that good writing is missing on TV. He concludes, 'A handful of shows have interesting plots. On TV now I watch only for cameo roles. I did 'Anupama', where my role was supposed to be for two months, but lasted for nine days and then it ended.'