Gone are the days of tension for Imagine

Our readers would clearly remember that Tellybuzz was the first to report that Baba Aiso Var Dhundo, is the tale of a girl with stunted growth.

The channel had its cast cut out as they had strategized not to reveal the girl's identity out in the public before the launch of the show.

A source from the industry tells us, "The channel took the decision of keeping the girl's identity under wrap, as they wanted to create a shock value amongst viewers once the show is launched. When the girl from the small town of Shikowabad near Agra, Juhi Aslam Khan was roped in, the channel left no stone unturned in keeping the girl and her family out of public sight. The girl was initially kept at various locations in Andheri and Kandivali, and their channel saw to it that they shifted her location every twenty days. Juhi used to cover face with a dupatta or towel when traveling, or when at the shoot spot. She used to be accompanied by a person from the production house in a car whenever she came to the sets or on her way back home."

We also hear that Producer and Writer, Raakesh Paswan took the added responsibility of letting Juhi and her father to stay in his flat for few days.

Our source further says, " To begin with, Juhi stayed at her relative's place in Kandivali after which she was shifted to various other places. In this tenure she also stayed at the producer's place to avoid public attention."

After going through this ordeal of hiding the protagonist for over one and a half month, Imagine eventually succeeded in keeping Juhi away from public and media and glare.

Talking about this phase of her life Juhi told Tellybuzz, "Yes it is true that the channel wanted to hide my identity till the launch happened. Initially I stayed at my relative's place, after which my father and I shifted to the producer's place. I used to cover my face while traveling. And in the shoot place I used to get out of the make-up room only for my shot."

On the tough task of shooting in crowded places Juhi quipped, "A huge crowd gathered when we were shooting recently in Agra. On seeing my co-star Vikrant Massey, the onlookers initially wondered whether it was the shoot of Balika Vadhu going on. I had to be extra careful there. In Fatehpur, there was a Mela too nearby and we had to cancel shoot owing to the presence of a big crowd. The people who got inquisitive kept screaming 'heroine ko toh dikha do'."

The girl feels relieved now that she has moved out of the phase where she had to hide herself, "It feels nice after being interviewed by many people I want to be noticed now. I am glad to have got this opportunity of working in Mumbai. Please do watch my show," states an excited Juhi.

When contacted Saurabh Tiwari, Programming Head, Imagine said, "Yes it was a tough task for us to keep the girl out of public eye. I am glad that the waiting period was only one and a half month, or it would have been tough if this ordeal were to go for a longer time. We took all the precautions needed and kept shifting her place of stay every twenty days. Producer Raakesh Paswan handled things well; we were lucky and fortunate that nobody clicked a single photo of Juhi. I am thankful to the entire crew of the show for honoring the Non-Disclosure Act (NDA), that we issued."

Baba Aiso Varr Dhundo has opened to a good response as Imagine is looking forward for a good run with the show.

Reporter: Srividya Rajesh
Author: Nidhi Soparawala