Veteran producer Mitu criticises the lack of innovation on Indian TV, especially the absence of thriller content. She believes creators are playing it safe, leading audiences to turn to OTT for fresh, risk-taking narratives.
Having created iconic shows such as Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Pavitra Rishta, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Kaahin Kissii Roz, and Saat Phere, among others, acclaimed producer Mitu has explored storytelling across various genres. However, she believes that one genre that has been notably absent from Indian television in recent years is the thriller. According to her, this is primarily because most creators are unwilling to take risks and instead prefer to play it safe.
“I don’t think anyone is really venturing into the thriller space on television at the moment. Yes, we do have shows like C.I.D., Crime Patrol, and Savdhaan India, but those are more focused on crime rather than actual thrillers. There might be a hint of suspense in the pilot episode of some shows, but that element usually disappears soon after,” she explained.
Mitu points out that this creative gap is one of the key reasons why audiences are shifting towards OTT platforms, which offer a more diverse range of thriller and suspense-driven content. “Television has become predominantly focused on family dramas. No one wants to take the leap of faith and experiment with thrillers. Everyone’s sticking to a formula and avoiding risks. But my belief is — unless you take risks, how will you know what might succeed? Right now, everyone is following the same trend, and there’s nothing fresh or exciting being offered,” she said.
Reflecting on her own experience, Mitu shared, “I served as the project head on Savdhaan India, and back then, we used to experiment with storytelling techniques—starting with cold openings or diving into the middle of the story before revealing the full narrative. I truly believe that crafting a thriller is the writer’s domain, and television, to a large extent, is still a writer’s medium. A capable thriller writer will know how to construct that narrative effectively.”
Mitu concluded with a candid remark: “Unfortunately, television shows today have become repetitive and uninspired. The focus has shifted away from creative storytelling and is now primarily centered on marketing,” she said.
