Article: Silsila remade into a serial

It's probably the first time that a prime time daily soap on Star Plus will deal with an extra-marital affair where the main protagonist, a young married woman, will be involved in an amorous relationship with another man. Apparently inspired by Silsila, the super-hit film of late 70s which Amitabh Bachchan starred the super star and his two ladies Jaya Bachchan and Rekha, Karam Apna Apna is a reverse version of the super hit film involving a married woman, her husband and a flamboyant, charismatic party animal. The lady in this tale of an amorous liaison is the semi-literate and not too ambitious Gauri, played by Pallavi Subhash.

The two men who come into Gauri's life are Shashank and Shiv. Shashank works as an accountant with Mahen, a selfish and hardcore businessman who knows how to use people to his advantage. Gauri is Mahen's friend Alok's daughter. Mahen wants Shashank to get married to Gauri. "He feels I am the ideal guy for Gauri," says Sumeet Sachdev who plays Shashank. "I can't reveal what happens later because it will kill the suspense." Sumeet says Shashank is a normal and straightforward guy, quite unlike Gautam, a spoilt brat like the one he plays in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

"Gautam has gone through many phases as well as three marriages before turning into a sober and responsible man. I think Shashank fits into one of those phases that Gautam has gone through. Generally I do a lot of thinking before accepting a role. But sometimes a gut feeling overtakes thinking and reasoning," adds Sumeet. On the other hand, handsome hunk Iqbal Khan who plays Shiv finds his role interesting and meaty. "Shiv is Mahen's youngest son. He is a casual and carefree party loving guy who is a go-getter and is full of enthusiasm.

"Shiv knows Gauri since their childhood. She gets married to Shashank but a major twist happens resulting in a triangular relationship," reveals the actor who plays rock star Angad in Kaisa yeh Pyaar Hai, adding that the twist will happen around the third week of the serial's telecast. "Right now everything is under wraps." Karam Apna Apna is Iqbal's fourth serial with Balaji, which rescued him from his failed career in films.

"I am more loyal to my work than the production house. And if you are loyal to your work then the production house is bound to give you more work. I think it's better to stick to one successful production company because if you are doing two shows then it's quite easy to plan shooting schedules and dates," he feels.
Sumeet too is a Balaji boy who has stuck to the production company since he began acting in Kyunki four years ago.

The daily has undergone two generational leaps but Sumeet has had no problems playing a 45-year-old man. "It's not an issue with me at all," he says. Karam Apna Apna is Iqbal's second serial in a lead role and Sumeet's first. Both are looking forward to the success of the show.