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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#71

Sob, sob goes the mothballed trail

By HT

Young, old, young-old. That is the way Smriti Irani has gone in her television career. When she first played a young bride in Star Plus's marathon soap, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, she actually looked young and slim. Then, as the serial stretched on interminably, and she became Tulsi 'Mother India' Virani, she acquired many extra kilos, along with a grey bun and an old-woman gait.

Catch Tulsi again as a young bride in Thodisi Zameen Thodasa Aasman, Star Plus's new offering. Except that now she is a rather, er, shapeless and matronly-looking young bride. Other old friends from Kyunki Saas and #8230; are also around in younger avatars - like Payal (Jaya Bhattacharya), who has got rid of her salt-and-pepper hair and heavy saris. Instead, she trips around in churidaar-kameez, giggling girlishly. I am just waiting for Ba to reappear in jeans and skirts. There are so many new serials on air now, it is becoming difficult to keep track of who is getting married to whom, which family is doing the dandia in what costumes and who is plotting against whom.

That is what serials are all about these days: families celebrating weddings and festivals, and in the middle of the shaadi mandap or puja pandal, hatching sinister plots to do everyone in. (Writers must be in screenplay heaven as of now: there is Dushhera, Diwali, Karwa Chauth and Christmas to see them through the next few months - each festival can take care of at least 10 episodes).

In Karam Apna Apna, the new serial on Star Plus from the Balaji camp, all three elements come together: a festival, a wedding and a wicked plot. The festival is Durga Puja since the serial is allegedly about a Bengali family (though the only thing Bengali here is the surname). And even as the pishis and meshos stand praying devoutly in front of goddess Durga, a deep and dark plot is being worked out to trap Gauri, the virtuous bride-to-be. The plot works and on her wedding eve, Gauri is disgraced in the eyes of the world and her fianc and #233;. (With the number of successful plots in our TV serials, all the actors could make a profitable living as real estate brokers).

Meanwhile, in Zee TV's new serial, Ghar Ki Lakshmi and #8230; Betiyaan, there is a new reason to celebrate: the arrival of a son and heir. Star Plus and Zee have been locked in a legal battle over the serial - the writer who wrote it first took her concept to Zee and then, not happy with Zee, went to Star. Both channels have come up with what appear to be similar serials now (the one on Star is called Betiyaan Apni Ya and #8230; Paraya Dhan).

Why entertainment channels want to make serials on mothballed concepts will remain an enduring mystery. But then, most of what passes off as entertainment on TV is a mystery anyway. Why, for instance, does everyone cry non-stop in all the soaps? Why do the families only live in havelis and mansions? Why have scriptwriters never heard of nuclear families who live in flats? Why is every bride's sasural such a hotbed of intrigue, so much so that it would make the palace politics of medieval India look like a teddy bear's picnic?

Anyhow, in the episode of Ghar Ki Lakshmi and #8230; Betiyaan that I saw, the family in question laughed and smiled so much because of the arrival of a son, I thought they would dislocate their jaws. I know my jaws started hurting just looking at them. Of course, to add poignancy to the proceedings (and remember the name of the serial?) there are four little neglected girls who watch the celebrations from the sidelines. Everyone quickly grows up in the episode and it ends with the entire household once again in a state of high excitement. This time, because in time-honoured fashion, the beloved son is coming back from vilayat after many years (he had gone to Oxford to study, if you please).

To get back to the 21st century, I switched to news. To Sahara Samay. And caught a story of a 36-year-old woman in Orissa who had been locked up in a box for 20 years. What saved me from cracking up entirely was an episode of The Comedy Show Ha Ha Ha (Star One). Okay, all the gags are not wildly funny, but the show does manage to raise a few laughs - like Suresh Menon in dandia costume, telling us that it takes three to 'garbo.' Or Menon as the very camp Ratan Re-imburse, giving us the box-office lowdown of the week as he strokes his pet kitten.

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#72

Andrea Cyrill: "I do enjoy bullying Gauri"

Vamp of the week: By A.L. Chougule

She comes from the ad-mad world. A copywriter who graduated to modelling in commercials Andrea Cyrill took to acting to experience something different from the regular life. And she is indeed experiencing the change from her real organised world of advertising. "I always thought acting is very easy and doesn't require much effort. But I have been proved wrong. It's lot of hard work and has its own demands," says the model-turned-actress who has made her debut on television in Balaji's Karam Apna Apna.

Andrea didn't find it difficult to get a break in a Balaji show. "My mother is a great fan of Balaji serials and it was she who insisted that I visit the production house to drop my pictures there," she informs. Needless to say, she didn't require a follow up visit to check on the status of her pictures. "Within a week I was called for an audition. And three days after the audition I landed a role in Karam and was asked to sign the contract," gushes Andrea who is required to work for 25 days in a month for Balaji. "It's quite a strict contract. Without their permission I can't do any other serial or model for ads. The only thing I can do without Balaji's permission is my copywriting work."

But Andrea has no problem with it because in just about two months she has got noticed. "I get easily recognised as Palakh on roads, malls and restaurants," smiles Andrea who is playing a thorough spoilt brat in her debut serial. "Palakh is a very rich girl who wants her way in everything but doesn't get her way all the time," says the actress who gangs up with her bua Maya to make Gauri's life miserable. "She hates Gauri and is always up to something to create problems for her."

It is out of her own insecurity that Palakh hates Gauri. So is the case with Maya. "In fact, Palakh, Machan and Maya got her involved in a sex scandal and breaks her marriage because of which Shiv had to marry Gauri," she adds. Where is the character headed now? "I really don't know," she says. However, what Andrea is sure about is that the role is very good. "I don't have to cry but get to bully the main protagonist. I am happy that I am playing a negative role because it helps in getting noticed very fast."

"Positive roles are boring," laughs Andrea who is not only enjoying her work but has lot of fun on the sets. If Palakh's best support in Karam is her bua Maya, on the sets of Andrea's best friend is Geetanjali Tikekar who plays Maya in the serial. "We get along very well. I find her a real good person to talk to real good company. I was very raw in the beginning and she helped me a lot on my expressions."

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#73

Cezanne is a closed file!"

People love to hate her but they dare not ignore her. First as the conniving Apo*na of Kasautii Zindagi Kay and currently as the funny but vindictive Maya of Karam Apnaa Apnaa, Geetanjali Tikekar has found a place for herself in the list of 'most sought after vamps of the tube!'

Though like any dreamy kid she desired to be a doctor, but destiny had other plans and here she is!

Prashant Golecha chances an opportunity to converse with this pretty, vivacious and talented actor. Excerpts.

"Maya is amusing, she is an adorable vamp!"

How different is it to play Maya (Karam...) from Apo*na (Kasautii...)?
Maya is amusing. She is an adorable vamp! Playing this character is a stress buster for me because of the fun element, which was absent in Apo*na. I am lucky to bag this role!

What has been the response so far?
There are times when people are confused and ask me if I am the same actress who played Apo*na!

It seems you miss playing Apo*na?
Yes I do as is it this that character which took me to a peak. She was an ultimate vamp as she crossed all limits and had shades of insanity.

Your character vanished because Komalika (Urvashi) was making a comeback?
My character disappeared and re-appeared at various intervals as per the story requirement. Imagine if we actors decide the fate of our tracks and career moves Balaji could have not been this BIG ever.

Any memorable fan encounters?
I am generally mobbed by people who identify me as Apo*na of Kasautii. Once I had gone to Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple where a cluster of Gujarati ladies gathered around me and questioned me about my attempt to kill bechara and innocent Anurag (laughs).

You share a very comfortable equation with Balaji by now, right?
Balaji is like a mother company. Since the past five years I have been associated with them and by taking extra care of us they have spoilt us in many ways. Till date I have done daily soaps only with Balaji and episodics for other production houses where I feel like a guest! Everything is well between Ekta and me as it was a mutual decision to put a full stop to Apo*na's character.

Kasautii…. is known to be Balaji's most contentious unit. How did you manage to wield the controversies?
It's just me; I have learnt to handle it my way. I might be disliked but am still respected. I have never bothered to clarify a lot of things, which were reported in papers because I don't believe in giving importance to petty things. As long as my family is happy and controversies don't affect them, I'm cool!

That reminds me of your rumoured affair with your co-star Cezanne Khan. Any comments?
Cezanne is a closed file! I don't want to talk about him at this stage of my life.

"May be someday I'll write a book!"

Describe your dream man?
I will marry a man who I feel can father my kids. He needs to be very compassionate and kind. I have my own mood swings so my man needs to be extremely understanding and patient. He should also have a good sense of humour and should love pets.

Could he be from the entertainment industry?
Yes, in fact it will be convenient professionally and will make my personal life smoother.

Introduce us to the real Geetanjali Tikekar?
What you see is what you get. I am a simple person, compassionate, introvert, short tempered at times but basically amiable by nature. I am ambitious to an extent and I do crave for good work.

Tell us something about you which people don't know?
During my childhood days, I used to maintain a journal where I would pen my thoughts. May be, someday I'll write a book.

You are known to be very techno-savvy. Are you?
Yes I am inclined towards gizmos, be it the digital camera, laptops, mobile phones, computers. I am quite a net freak too! I even sketch on my mobile just for fun.

What do you do besides acting?
I have put up my garment unit in Pune and we run it by the label named Luxe. Probably by next year you will see our collections at all the Fashion Weeks in India. My brother is a professional designer and he handles the creatives while I handle administration.

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Shruti

@shruti

Alumni

+ 9

Posted: 19 years ago

#74

Kaam down, Iqbal Khan

After shooting 18 hours a day, Iqbal Khan doesn't have time to talk to his parents who've come down from Kashmir. And that's getting his goat

Ram Kamal Mukherjee

Iqbal Khan has been working 16 to 18 hours a day. Currently working in Ekta Kapoor's Karam Apna Apna, the actor has been shooting till 3 am every day. Incidentally, his parents have come all the way from Kashmir to fix his marriage dates, but the actor has not been able to spend time with them. "I hardly get a chance to talk to my parents. They have been around for the last five days. But such is my schedule that when I reach home, they are fast asleep and when they want to talk to me, I am too tired to talk to them," says Iqbal, sounding flustered.

It's now left to his fiance Sneha to take care of his parents. "I am thankful to Sneha because she is taking time out for my parents. Most of the time she is at home with them. My father sits listening to music with Sneha on the Internet. They are planning to go shopping too. I am not included in their plans because of my working hours," he laughs.

Both Iqbal's and Sneha's families are very excited about their marriage. Iqbal will get married in the second week of January. "My parents have fixed the date, but they are not telling it to me because they feel that I might get tense. I know that many men suffer from commitment phobia but I have already overcome that phase and am willing to take on my responsibilities as a husband. Sneha is very much a part of our family. If she hadn't been around, my parents would have been really bored," he says.

* I am thankful to Sneha because she is taking time out for my parents. Most of the time she is at home with them — Iqbal Khan

https://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=19&am p;articleid=11102006147235151110200614328265

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#75

Kamalika Guha Thakurta, or Kamel as telly folks call her, had a quiet birthday on November 8. The telly actress, now seen as Devika in Karam Apna Apna, spent time at home with daughter Khushi and husband Rajnish Lal.

"In the evening, some friends dropped in for dinner," says Kamel, who is also seen as Gayatri in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
It's such a relief to finally find TV actors who don't plaster their faces with cake and preen for the shutterbugs

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amana

@ejaz ki rani

Inactive

Posted: 19 years ago

#76

TV's top new shows

November 08, 2006
Scriptwriters on Indian television seem to prefer moving to new shows rather than continue writing on existing soaps. Justifiably, because it must be truly difficult to come up with more battles with in-laws and family woes surrounding the same characters.

The last few months saw a host of new soaps flooding the channels. While some of these tread safely melodramatic formula, others have captured audience imagination and rapidly climbed the TRP charts. In case you're wondering what to watch, here's a crash course on the Top 10 new shows:

1)Karam Apna Apna
Channel: Star Plus
Time: Monday-Friday, 9:30 PM

Ekta Kapoor's fascination with Bengali families continues in the latest from the serial factory. And why not? After Kasauti Zindagi Ki's super success, it seems to be Karam Arna Apna's turn. The show is the story of Gauri (played by Pallavi Subhash) -- a small town girl who goes through a lot of hardships and finally comes out with triumphant colors. The serial is truly different from the usual stuff dished out by Balaji Telefilms, and that's perhaps the reason it's gaining popularity by the day.

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#77

Mosquito bytes!

From ordinary people to T.V stars, dengue has made its presence felt everywhere. Now the latest victim being the storylines! After two of T.V's high profile brigade, Smriti Iraani and Rajshri Thakur, were diagnosed positive, the producers had to adjust new plots in the stories. Does this sound like doom for programming?

Apart from the personal loss, the production house suffers monetarily as well as on the creative front. Schedules go awry; the redrafted tracks have to be gripping enough for the shows to maintain their TRPs.

Riya V Anandwala talks to a few producers, directors, creative heads and actors who speak about the precautions undertaken and dealing with disturbed schedules!

Nivedita Basu- Deputy Creative Director, Balaji Telefilms

We haven't taken any special precaution as we have never faced any case of dengue. I got to know about Smriti yesterday and that too she didn't get it from our sets. We have sweepers cleaning 24x7, fumigation machines to get rid of the mosquitoes in the evening and nights. Food has never been a problem; we take care of the water provided. As of now no other precautions have been taken, we are just maintaining the old ones!

In a show like Kyunki, even if Smriti is not available, we can play around with the other stars, so that's not an issue at all. Otherwise, no star has ever fallen pray to this epidemic.

Sanjay Upadhyay- Director, Kumkum

We treat our sets as our home! We keep them very clean and also, we give a lot of importance to hygiene on the sets. We nearly spend 14 to 15 hours there, also, a few of the actors/artistes go in for a catnap so hygiene is of utmost importance.

Daily soaps along with being hectic have a certain amount of flexibility also! It's not an unusual occurrence, and if any of our stars get affected by dengue we can always focus on other characters. Certainly there is instability in the schedule, but it is not a very difficult deal to handle it. We can manage the creative dent.

Jamnadas Majethia-Producer, Hats Off

Right from the beginning we have mineral water and water purifiers on the sets for our actors as well as technicians. Every second month we have pest control doing the rounds of our sets. We also have facilities to get rid of the mosquitoes and flies which are on the hitlist currently. But in the case of Resham Dankh it becomes a major problem as we shoot at Madh Island. I had called for a meeting with the local committee there lately, and we are trying to fix this problem.

Schedules definitely get disturbed. Fortunately, my cast and crew have not been affected by dengue yet, but lately I was hit by this epidemic. We are taking ultimate care so that our schedules don't go haywire and also actors are safe. I say, "Ek Macchar daily soap ko kharab kar deta hain!"

Sunjoy Wadhwa-Producer, Sphere Origins

Keeping this epidemic in mind the major precaution which we undertake is to maintain our environment. We try and keep it as clean as possible. We take certain measures to keep the flies and mosquitoes away too.

On the schedule front, we do have a bit of a problem, but not to a very great extent. We bring out interesting angles and build that. And also, our TRPs don't come crashing down.

Kinnari Mehta-Producer, Jai Mehta Productions

We do pest control once a fortnight and have mosquito repellents burnt in the evenings, the prime time for the flies to invade our sets. Our caterers are not those canteenwala' s they have a lot of health food, so for those who binge on boiled food, their problem is solved!

The tracks which are built up after redrafting the script are definitely not in the favour of the show, but we are left with no other option.

Hiten Tejwani

I am not eating at any and every place. Where I feel eating should be avoided, I do that. Otherwise, Balaji is trustworthy, so I have not taken any major precautions.

Sharad Kelkar

We request the cleaners to keep our make-up rooms very clean. Apart from that we burn coils which help us getting rid of these bugging flies. Coming to the food aspect, nothing is safer than the home cooked food. I do have a bit on the sets; otherwise I always carry food from home.

Reena Kapoor

The only precaution I have taken is to avoid the food and water outside. A production house cannot do much; after all we have to take care of ourselves.

Ram Kapoor

I take no special precautions. I am the kind of guy who says what has to happen will happen. There are mosquitoes on the sets where we were, but we go with whatever precautions that the production house provides. I would not know what care they are taking. We are too busy on our sets filming and shooting to notice what is going on. And no. No. I am not carrying any mosquito repellents or mosquito creams with me on the sets.

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#78

Salil ousted; Replacement not yet found!

The much speculated exit of Salil Ankola from Sony's Bigg Boss ends here! The actor has already been evicted from the show on Thursday night. This will be telecasted next week.

Sony entertainment was shocked to hear of Salil Ankola's prior commitments and contractual obligations from media reports. On confirmation that these news reports were true and that the court had restrained Salil Ankola from appearing on any television show other than the one he is under contract for, the channel took necessary steps as he was in violation of his contract with Sony Entertainment Television.

Salil will be replaced by a new contestant on the show. Sources say, "Well, we still haven't zeroed down on any celebrity, the hunt is still on!"

The format of the show is very clear. According to the format of the show, participants have to commit a clear 3 months of their time, free from any other obligations to enable them live in the Bigg Boss house. In light of this requirement all the contracted celebrities were required to assure Sony Entertainment Television that they were not committed otherwise during this period. Only on receiving such assurances, were they contracted to be a part of the Bigg Boss show.

Salil's exit will however not interrupt Deepak Parashar or Bobby Darlings eviction.

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#79

Ankola bye, party ho jaaye!
By: Upala KBR
November 14, 2006

Ekta Kapoor

Salil Ankola

According to a source close to the Balaji camp, Ekta Kapoor had a get-together at her Juhu home last Thursday, to celebrate the ouster of Salil Ankola from Bigg Boss.

Apparently, the queen of soaps was extremely happy with the fact that she had managed to get an injunction restraining Salil Ankola from appearing on Sony's Bigg Boss.

Our source adds, "People in Ekta's office were very excited about the court order. It was a victory for Ekta and Balaji to have Salil out the show." Some of the guests at Ekta's party included her best friend, Anupam Kapadia, Suvarna Jha (Trupti in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Thi), Ekta's close friend, Preeti Gupta and Prachi Desai (Bani in Kasamh Se).

Unimportant issues

When asked about the party Ekta Kapoor laughs and says, "No! Why would I throw a party to celebrate Salil Ankola being thrown out of Bigg Boss? I did have some close friends over for dinner at my Juhu residence but there was nothing to celebrate. I would have reason to celebrate if I got bigger TRPs for my shows or if I started new shows. I am starting two new shows in January but when I'm not throwing a party to celebrate that, why would I throw a party for Salil Ankola? I would never celebrate such small things."

She scoffed at the idea that it was a big victory for her to have Salil evicted from Bigg Boss's house. "These are small things. I don't host parties for unimportant issues!"

Nevertheless, a guest at the party says on condition of anonymity, "Ekta had a good reason to celebrate. We're happy that the court has promptly acted on the breach of contract petition that Balaji had filed against."

However, Salil Ankola is in no mood to confront. On hearing about the get-together, he says, "Oh really! I didn't know about this. But I can't say anything. The matter is pending in the courts, so I can't make any statements. Let's talk after four days."

With inputs from Sandipan Dalal

Kahaani TRPs kii

Sakshi Tanwar in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii

When asked about being worried about the TRPs of Bigg Boss overtaking that of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Ekta smiles and says, "I would be worried about something consequential, like if the TRPs of the shows of Zee overtook my shows. For me, the bigger competition is Zee's Dulhann, Betiyann and Saat Phere."

Adds a source in Balaji, "The TRP of Bigg Boss came in last week only. On Friday, they were 2.8 and on Saturday they were 2.4 while Kahaani's was 9.5. The TRP of Kahaani had slightly fallen during the cricket matches but that was before Bigg Boss started and had nothing to do with it."

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

+ 4

Posted: 19 years ago

#80

Bigg Boss evicted Salil Ankola from his house on Thursday. The actor was locked in the Big Boss house in Karjat, as part of the show for almost seven days now. According to the media statement given by the Sony Television, Bigg Boss show format requires participants to commit three months of their time, free from any other obligations to enable them live in the Bigg Boss house. In the light of this requirement all the contracted celebrities were required to assure the channel that they were not committed otherwise during this period. Only on receiving such assurances, were they contracted to be a part of the Bigg Boss show. However the channel was shocked to hear about Salil Ankola's prior commitments which were later confirmed.

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Sob, sob goes the mothballed trail

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