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Popular TV actor Harshad Chopra, who plays the lead role in forthcoming show Dharampatni", admits that his character, Mohan Galla, has "slight inspiration" from the life of Gandhi, but says it is not based on his life.

"'Dharampatni' is not about Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, it's not about Kasturba Gandhi. It's about Mohan Galla and Kastur. There is a slight inspiration in the fact that Mohan grows up to be a man who brings about social changes in his country, like Gandhi," Harshad told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The initial buzz around the Imagine TV show, which will go on air Aug 16, was built by rumours of it being based on Gandhi and Kasturba's life.

"The problem is that when we say a show is loosely inspired from someone's life, people always forget the 'loosely'. They only remember that it is inspired from somewhere and draw parallels. That's what's happening with our show," he lamented.

Harshad, who became popular after featuring in shows like "Left Right Left" and "Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil", says the show is a contemporary representation of Gandhiji's ideologies.

"The inspiration is Mahatma Gandhi. But he fought against British Raj. Whereas, in our show, we will give out a message for today's youth, we will deal with different issues...so it is a contemporary, subtle representation of what Gandhi said," said the actor.

Harshad's character Mohan is a a foreign educated man, who hardly cares about Indian culture until he is sensitised by situations in his own country upon his return. He also meets a girl, Kastur, (played by actress Aasiya Kazi), who is cheerful, optimistic, and grounded in her culture.

The story rings a bell! It takes you back to Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Swades", but Harshad says the show has no hints from that movie.

"Honestly, when I heard the story, I felt it was like 'Swades'. But it is not! The characters are completely different," he said.

All said and done, the 28-year-old is unfazed by comparisons, and totally kicked about this "new challenge".

"There's a lot that has gone behind this show, and we are very positive about it. I hope it connects with people because it is different. For me, every new show that I take is like a new journey...I don't like to repeat my roles."

"I try to take distinct roles each time, and that's what keeps me going. I like the nervousness I experience on taking up challenging roles. If a character makes me think - 'What will happen on the sets? What will I do? How can I add to the character?' - that's what excites me!" he added.
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te--Tte with Harshad Chopra

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Television actor Harshad Chopra, who was last seen as Anurag in STAR Plus' hit show Tere Liye, will be seen in the upcoming episode of Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega wherein he will be dancing on a medley of famous romantic songs of Shah Rukh Khan. The actor talks about his new show, what kept him busy post Tere Liye, and more.

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We heard that you are doing a new show Dharampatni on Imagine TV. Can you confirm if the news is true?
Right now, I really can't comment on anything. I have got offer to play a character based on the lines of Mahatma Gandhiji's life. Let the channel announce it first.

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What kept you busy post Tere Liye?
I joined dance classes with acrobats as I find this type of dance very unique. Although, I didn't join immediately after Tere Liye ended. First few weeks, I spent my days in laziness, sleeping and spending time with my family members, especially with my younger sister. I even spent time gorging on food especially home cooked food. Basically, I let everyone at home pamper me

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What do you miss most about Tere Liye?
I miss everything about the show -right from the different locations, lunch sessions with co-stars. Usually when we work with people we jell with and get long, it is obvious to develop a kind of attachment with them, so I guess we are all very connected. I also miss playing the character Anurag which was romantic in a totally different way.

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Tell us about your dance sequence in Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega?
I am performing on the solo hit numbers of Shah Rukh Khan in a medley so it has Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jana Sanam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, and Don and Om Shanti Om's title tracks. It is wonderful to perform on such hit numbers. Finally, I have a connection with SRK.

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Which is your all time favourite romantic song sequence?
I like this song Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Main from the movie Ajnabee - Rajesh Khanna one. I really like the whole feel of being romantic and this song. Among the new ones, I enjoy listening to Pyaar Ka Punchnama, O Bhanvre O Bhanvre.

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What do like about Entertainment Ke Liye...?
It is a brilliant show which gives chance to every talented person to show their talent. In our country, so many people follow their passion and this show provides a good platform to them. We can see that people are passionate about dancing, painting and a lot of other cool stuff. After watching them, I feel lucky to follow my passion acting as a profession. It was nice to meet Farah Khan and Anu Malek.

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What are your plans for thefuture? Joining films? Love and marriage?
Oh so many questions!! I don't plan my future as I let things happen. Let's see how things shape up in my life. I feel it's too early to comment on my personal life.

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Which shows do you watch during your break?
I have started watching White Collar on STAR World and I used to love Castle. I am not watching any Hindi television shows as none of my industry friends like Kunal Karan Kapoor & Arjun Bijlani are doing any shows.

After portraying two strong roles in Bandini and Maati Ki Banno, Aasiya Kazi is back on television with Imagine's Dharampatni with another challenging role. She portrays the Indian woman in every household, Kastur.

Aasiya Kazi, in an exclusive conversation with TellyBuzz, opened her heart about the show and also certain personal stuffs that have disturbed her...

Read on...


Can you describe your character inDharampatni?
Kastur is a young girl who waits to get married to the man who she got engaged with. She is very loyal to her husband and supports him and leads him towards the right path.

What are the aspects that are highlighted inDharampatni?
The title itself speaks a lot. It talks about the tale of girl who takes care of her household and family.

Initially there were rumours about the show being based on the life of Gandhiji and Kasturbhha.
The story is nowhere related to Gandhi and Kasturbha, but people will see some resemblance, but the show is definitely not related to freedom struggle and other history.

Dharampatni has got the prime-time slot of 9:30pm which is highly competitive.
I am a little nervous, but that's the case in every show that I have done. When we get a slot like that, there is always high competition. Everyone would like their show to be number 1 show on television. But more than that the impact you create on the audience's mind is the most important factor. Today people still remember me as Santu from Bandini and that the number 1 show in the channel and that very big for us.

What were the challenges when you took up Kastur?
Challenges come with every role that you portray. Your first show is your biggest challenge because you are worried whether you will be able to act or not. But then later on when you do shows, you feel confident about yourself. But the biggest challenge after that is whether you are able to break that first image when you portray the other role. So, I guess, breaking the role ofBandini to Kastur is my greatest challenge.

Do you in real life believe in the saying; behind every successful man there is a woman?
Yes, I completely believe in that. We all know that every human being is not perfect, but once you are married your world changes. There are many things that a woman makes a man understand and a responsibility comes in the relation. I have grown seeing my parents and I can say that there has been many changes they have undergone with their marriage and with every development in their life after marriage.

Kastur has the simplicity and the innocence similar to Santu in Bandini. Do you feel yourself being repeated?
Not at all because Santu hailed from a poor background whereas Kastur hails from a financially sound background. There are differences in their outlook and way of life.

How is the experience working with Harshad Chopra?
It has been good so far but we did not get many scenes to do together yet. But whenever we meet, we talk a lot and we are good friends on the sets. We have built up our own good rapport.

Was there any special preparations done for the role?
I had to take up Hindi classes to get the proper diction and hold on the language. There are Gujarati words that are included in the script, but we have people to help us out on the sets.

How was shooting in Ahmedabad?
We were not actually shooting there, we went for the promotion of the show. It was nice.

How is it working with DJ's Creative Unit after working for a banner like Balaji?
I enjoy working with DJ's Creative Unit as well. There are a lot of people who were there with me on my previous shows.

Any memorable experiences from the show?
Actually every day is a memorable one, but I have not yet shot so much to really point out one.

What are your personal views on being a house wife?
I have complete respect for them and I can relate myself to Kastur a little because at this juncture I do not think that I can be a house wife.

The promos of the show have been very promising and audience has great expectations from show. Are you nervous?
There are a lot of expectations from people and I am nervous. They are happy to see me in a different show.

We have heard about you being in a committed relationship with Shakeb. What do you have to say?
I do not understand why people think that a guy and girl cannot be best friends. He is a very good friend of mine and I do not like to discuss further about it.

When are wedding bells to be planned?
Marriage will happen, but I do not know whether it is him or not because my parents have the authority to say that. For now I am very happy with the way my life is heading and when I am getting married, you guys will know it.

Any message to your fans?
There have been negative vibes and rumours that have surrounded me, but I would like to request them not to take anything to heart because whatever decision I take would be right. Do not believe in all the stuffs, and rather understand and try to know more before deriving any conclusions.

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