'We chose Punjab as we could depict festivity and warmth':R. Shekhawat

After Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya had a successful run on TV, it is being replaced with Veera tonight.  Very powerful competitors- Bade Acche Laggte Hai on Sony TV and Punar Vivah on Zee TV will be running at the same 10:30pm time slot.  In January Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha which is also quite popular will be back most probably at the same time. 

Parichay Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka on Colors currently at the same time slot is also doing relatively well. However ace writer Raghuvir Shekhawat is unfazed by the cut-throat competition his new show will be facing. He explains, "Our show is of a different genre and league. We have made Veera episodes which have stunned us. Our show has the flavour of an Iranian film."

Why was Punjab chosen as the location? "We could have set the story in Rajasthan- however it has been done to death, as many shows have been set there. We chose Punjab as we could depict festivity and warmth through it.  I can't however disclose now as to why we chose rural Punjab, for that you need to keep watching the show."

Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hain on Star Plus is a story on the bonding between two sisters. Veera coincidentally is also about sibling bonding between a brother and a sister. Will Veera therefore be a repetitive show on the channel? Raghuvir refutes that by saying, "No, the presentation of this show is after all very different. There are many saas-bahu shows on TV too but each show has a different delineation. I reckon you have never ever seen something like this on Indian TV before."

Will the child protagonists who will be introduced in the show remain kids for a long time? Raghuvir replies, "That depends on audience demand. We were to have a generation leap on Balika Vadhu in episode 21 but we continued with the child protagonists till episode 540. Similarly we can play it a little more with the child protagonists on Veera if the viewers want it that way."

Considering the fact that this show is about strained relationships, rocky marriages, troubled family ties, routine pressures and hollow materialistic existence, will this be a sad show? Raghuvir replies, "This show has high drama and we have added children to it. In fact when I was writing episode 6, there were tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. This show will make you happy and sad at the same time."

Veera premieres on Star Plus at 10.30pm tonight. Please watch this space for more interesting updates on the show.

Author and Reporter: Pallavi Bhattacharya