Popular 90s serial Mayamruga to be re-telecast 

Fans of the widely popular Kannada soap Mayamruga are in for a treat as the makers are set to re-telecast a technically upgraded version of the series from June 4. 

Produced by Bhoomika Talkies, the show originally appeared on DD Chandana in 1998. Conceptualised and directed by TN Seetharam, it will be re-run on Bhoomika Talkies’ YouTube channel in a web series format.

Already, since April, it is being re-telecast abroad on KOTT (Kannada OTT), a streaming channel run by the Kannada Sangha in Los Angeles.

Mayamruga revolves around two female protagonists – Malavika and Sri Lakshmi – who battle social norms about what women are allowed to do.

Seetharam says that the show has been technically re-worked for colour grading and better audio. “22 years ago, Mayamruga was a product made out of innocence,” says Seetharam, adding that the show will be special for those who watched it then and will re-ignite old memories now. “It is like getting to see an old photo. We expect the audience will re-live bitter-sweet feelings when they watch the serial again. There are a lot of audiences who are excited about showing it to their children and have a discussion with them,” he says.

So what made him bring Mayamruga onto a streaming platform? “It all began during the first lockdown (last year). The serial Magalu Janaki, which I directed, had to be stopped. So I began digging in my serial basket and got hold of Mayamruga. I got it ready and was looking for a space to put it on. Getting back to television channels was not viable because they needed fresh content, and Bhoomika Talkies came forward to put it up on their YouTube channel,” he says.

Starring Malavika Avinash, Manju Bhasin, Dattanna, Avinash, Jayashree, Rekha, Natana Rajesh, Mukhyamantri Chandru, Vaishali Kasaravalli, and MD Pallavi in lead roles, some of the cast and crew members are planning digital interactions with fans. “We want to establish contact with today’s generation, while also hearing from the people of those days. The interactive sessions will take place for five weeks. We will have artistes and technicians participating in groups of five in each episode,” the director says.

According to Seetharam, Mayamruga was a turning point in the lives of all those who were part of it. “The way I see it, Mayamruga is what we see from a distance and we chase that. It was a success during that time. But today, success has a different dimension,” he concludes.