Prime time on Star Plus is bookended (8 pm and 11.30pm) by one of Indian television’s most unusual daily soaps. Primarily, a time slot for family dramas costumed in garish saris, lots of bling and oft time’s dialect speak, and Ek Haseena Thi is an out-of-the-box inclusion. Surprisingly, a most unlikely viewer, an upper crust woman friend mostly watches the 8 pm slot, and keenly notes the nail biting turns of each episode. Ek Haseena Thi will probably draw new viewership altogether for Prime Time Hindi programming, Like the Anil Kapoor helmed 24 did for Colors.

A story of revenge, the antagonists are an affluent powerful family – Sakshi and Rajnath Goenka with their obnoxious brat son Shaurya. The latter’s errant ways are forever squashed by the parents’ muscle and money power, leaving him free to commit more ‘crimes’. The protagonist is a young woman Durga, who moves to Kolkata with her father Dr. Dayal Thakur, and they want to set up a cancer research centre and hospital. The Goenkas grab every opportunity to make sure they are painted as pillars of philanthropy by society and the media. They edge themselves as Dr Thakur’s suitable partners, strong arming the original contender out of the way.

While Shaurya oozes charm to snare Durga into his arms, Durga is laying her own traps for Shaurya. He has raped a young woman, but walked out of the court scot-free, thanks to his parents’ clout; while Payal, the rape victim is in a home, mentally and physically scarred for life. The sole eyewitness is missing, and her sister is ‘dead’. Durga or Shaurya play a cat and mouse game, while Sakshi and Durga checkmate each other. Every new twist throws light on the sinister events into the past. A new character vital to the plot is introduced at the right moment. As you read this, a new face has just stepped into the storyboard.

Ek Haseena Thi has several edges over the rest of prime time fare. First, it’s India’s first daily Prime Time thriller. Each episode ends on a hook, which lures you to the TV the next day. Two, it is a well written script, where the pacing is just right to bring in twist at the precise moment, when the viewer least expects it. Despite the taut writing, the narrative flows from one marker to the next holding the viewer spellbound. Each episode is 20 minutes too short. Third, the direction and editing complement the writing, hence for not a moment does the story get flabby. Fourth, the casting is simply perfect.

Simone Singh’s Henna image is now relegated to oblivion; as Sakshi Goenka she redefines the mother on television. She is menacing, exudes arrogant sophistication, and tigress-like will kill for her cub (Shaurya); she dotes on her son overlooking his failings with indulgence. Sakshi has conniving and sly maneouvres down to a fine art. She is her husband Rajnath’s best ally in manipulating social consent. From now on, Simone Singh’s signature image will be Sakshi Goenka. Her ideal foil is Sanjeeda Sheikh as Durga. The young actress isn’t just beautiful, but has put up a most convincing and exacting portrayal as a fierce young woman seeking revenge on the Goenkas for a rape Shaurya had committed and the Goenkas’ tormenting the victim’s family to death. Sanjeeda leaves no expression to chance. She is as determined to bring Shaurya to his knees and justice for raping Payal. Looking at her, one wouldn’t even imagine that she has a calculating mind behind her beauty. The two women have so far dominated the story, leaving Ayub Khan as Rajnath Goenka and Vatsal Seth as Shaurya in the lead now, and sidelined then.

A most refreshing show, Ek Haseena Thi doesn’t let the eyeballs wander, not even in the commercial break. Prime Time isn’t the same.