Jassi's is undergoing a makeover and S. Gupta finds out what the creators have to say.
THEIR baby has just turned one. And Tony and Deeya Singh could not be more proud. After all, post a brief TRP turmoil, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin is finally out of the red. Shoots in Singapore, celeb guest appearances and the introduction of Armaan Sir's arch rival, Purab (not in the original Spanish screenplay)—it's been a long list of experiments to boost ratings. ''In a successful show, you can get away with a few stunts—some the audience likes, some it doesn't,'' drawls Deeya, the creative head.
With many Hollywood stars making appearances on TV, she wants to encourage the same synergy between cine and small screen stars in India. Her personal preference for celebrity cameos is apparent. Saif Ali Khan and Anupama Varma were roped into the show and, next up, could be Deeya herself. ''Ideally, it will be a scene with Jassi (Mona Singh),'' she grins, mentally chalking out the episode. Alongside, she's also planning another outdoor shoot: ''This time, it'll perhaps be in Maldives.''
But what's really on everybody's mind is Jassi's imminent metamorphosis, in the coming few months. And will she go western or retain the behenji get-up? ''Jassi wore trousers in Singapore and will do so again, when the occasion demands,'' says Tony, the series director.
Since Jassi's bete noir Mallika (Rakshanda Khan) is endorsing Satya Paul, we wonder if the show's star will get designer threads too. Of course, the creators insist Jassi has never felt the need for designerwear, so let's just hold our breath.
What's also stringing viewers along is the debate on whom the transformed will wed—the dreamy Purab (Samir Soni) or the manipulative Armaan Sir (Apoorva Agnihotri). Insiders reveal that goody-two-shoes Purab will valiantly give her up, realising her heart belongs to another. But Tony refuses to confirm this. ''There have always been three options for her—Armaan, Purab and Nandu,'' he dodges, with a laugh.
It's not just the couple that's gripped with Jassi fever. When she's not grappling with shooting schedules, Deeya sews home-made Jassi dolls for relatives in USA! As for their kids, daughter Jia (8) is an associate producer on the show and son Jashan's (6) summer job will be to handle the clapper. ''The kids have always been lucky for us. If nothing else, Jashan will learn his numbers,'' grins Tony. He fondly remembers Jassi's birthday celebrations, when the whole family went to wish her. Whom exactly—Jassi or Mona? ''Call her whatever you want, they're both one and the same,'' he shrugs. Transformation or not, some things just don't change.
Source: Sulakshana Gupta, Express India.
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