MUMBAI: One by one, Malayalam TV channels have once again started conjuring up ghosts to get them better ratings.

To compete Asianet's Kadamattath Kaththanar, currently the top grosser among Malayalam TV programmes, Surya TV is launching Aayilyam Kaavu on 17 May.

The serial will be aired from Monday to Friday at 9 pm. Directed by Baburaj, Aayilyam Kaavu is based on a mystical novel written by Ettumanoor Sivakumar in Mangalam weekly.When queried if Ayilyam Kaavu could be taken as a counterattack to the Asianet's horror serial, Surya TV General Manager, Programming, FJ Clement chose to put it this way:

"We want to counter Kadamattath Kaththanar. We had approved this subject long back and decided to launch now."

When asked why Surya TV has gone for the 9 pm slot instead of having a direct fight with Kadamattath Kaththanar by airing Ayilyam Kaavu in the 9.30 pm slot, Clement said that they were following their plans of action.

"We have our own game plans. It is not necessary that we should air our serial in its competitor's slot. Every channel has its own plan of action and we believe in giving good quality programme mix."

"Actually it was Surya TV who had introduced the horror genre to Malayalam television audience, two years back," claimed Clement.Malayalam television had witnessed a flurry of horror serials two years ago. Then they were replaced by family dramas as the overdose and loss of quality undid the initial craze.