Sony presents a fantasy show - Arsalan

There seems to be great confusion amongst the cast and crew of Sony Entertainment Television’s upcoming fantasy show Arsalan regarding the genre of the same. While lead negative actor Mukul Dev called the hour-long show, which will be aired from 12^th July, a Gothic futuristic show, his on screen wife, Kishwar Merchant, described it as a Harry Potter series.

However, producer Shakti Sagar, has a different story to share. He calls his next fantasy presentation after Hatim, as something based on Japanese tales with lots of martial arts and magic thrown in. Talking about the new 5 kids playing the lead, Sagar says “We needed young college kids to fit the character.” Talking further about the concept, he says, “We have taken classical story in a fantasy land but have presented it a very contemporary way.”

Talking about his character, Mukul Dev says, “My character Zafar was part of Arsalan’s father's magician tribe, but since he had gone astray, the latter had to punish him. Zafar was imprisoned in ice cubicle for 200 years. When he escapes, with the help of Kishwar, he wants to take revenge on the family. Accordingly, he destroys the Arsalan family palace and kills his parents.”

Adding further, Mukul says, “The look is quite different. I have white hair yet my skin looks young. My character has many magical powers and uses it to full effect to fulfill his dream of taking over the world. He is ably supported in his evil deeds by 3 witches who tell him about the future. The only obstacles in his way are Arsalan and his band of 4 friends who have become the Robin Hood of the people.”

Mukul is also doing a negative role in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki. He is quite happy at being able to serve two different audiences at same time as he says, “Kahaani addresses the housewives while Arsalan will speak to young folks.”