Kasturi Articles--NO Comments - Page 5

Rain cheque!

Five shows of Balaji are shooting at breakneck speed to ready a bank of episodes before the monsoons. The cast of various Balaji shows The actors in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagi Ki, Kayamath and Kasturi have to work doubly hard due to the approaching monsoons. Balaji has decided to make the actors shoot extra hours, so that all the shows can have a bank of episodes ready during the monsoons. Says a source from the production house, "Nowadays, for Wednesday and Thursday's episode, we are shooting on Monday. Generally we shoot back-to-back episodes one day prior to telecast. We are shooting a minimum of 15- 20 hours a day. The actors are hardly sleeping for four hours, before getting back to the shoot. Also, we have arranged for three units for every show. Also, shooting for two episodes is taking place on one day. It's a collective decision by the production house and the creative heads to prepare for the rains." Adds the source, "During the rains, the sets sometimes get damaged due to flooding, when it rains a lot for weeks at a stretch. So it's best to work really hard now and keep a huge bank of episodes ready. There are many such days during the rains when unit members are unable to report to work. They have no choice but to adhere to such hectic schedules." Pulkit Samrat aka Lakshya in Kyunki..., says, "Many artists are under tremendous pressure to shoot extra hours now, especially actors who have to shoot many outdoor sequences. They're having a tough time completing so much work in advance. During the rains, the actors can only shoot indoors." Says Doyal Som, creative head of Kyunki…, "The entire team is working overtime to create a bank of episodes. We are working towards the ideal situation before the rains." Let's hope the hard work pays off without exhausting the actors too much before it actually starts raining. http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&am p;sectid=12&contentid=200706050242104374f39e13f

CLOSE UP

Prriya Arya

Did acting happen by chance?
Yes, it did. I'm a hotel management student from Delhi. I was working as a senior ad executive for quite some time. It was there that I got a taste of the glamour world. And so I wanted to go in for acting professionally too. I came to Bombay and joined Sony TV. Initially, through various sources I got auditions and bagged roles and then producers saw my acting and was offered many roles.

What is your dream role?
My dream role is Jigyasa of 'Kasam Se'. It's a hardcore negative character and in films it has to be roles like Dimple Kapadia's in 'Rudali', Shabana Azmi in 'Mandi' and Smita Patil in 'Arth'.

Do you want to shift from television to films?
No, I don't. And never would want to. I don't make plans .I only want to do good work on television. I think that is what actors should concentrate on — to do good work be it on television or films.

What do you like about your characters?
What I love about Lolita in 'Left Right Left' is her stern demeanour. She's a typical Bong and I love the way she conducts herself. She is so nonchalant and composed. My character of Alka on Star Plus is quite adorable too. I love the fact that she's so stupid but in spite of being stupid she is so confident. I'd love to have that kind of confidence.

What are the similarities and differences between the reel and real you?
I'm quite similar to Lolita. Just like Lolita even I am hard from outside but soft from inside. Alka is not like me at all. But I am really enjoying doing both the characters.

Which Hindi cinema actor has influenced you the most?
There are many. Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Dimple Kapadia for their author-backed roles. They are such good actors that I wish I could be even one percent of what they are.

http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=xtras&am p;subsection=showbuzz&xfile=June2007_closeup_standard152 &child=closeup

Shubangi Atre Poorey, Kasturi

Kasturi is a story of a middle-class Punjabi girl who wants to study further but cannot due to family opposition.

Hailing from Indore, Shubangi graduated from Holkar Science College and has also done a Masters in Business Management. She was crowned Miss Madhya Pradesh in 2003 and is a trained classical dancer.

She moved to Pune three years ago after her marriage to Piyush Poorey, who works in an ad agency. They have an 18-month daughter, Ashi.

A photographer friend had told her to try her hand at acting. She did a month long workshop with AT Entertainment, Pune, and soon, auditioned for Kasturi. But she was offered a role in Kasautii Zindagi Kay, as Palchin.

Recalling her experience, Shubangi says, "When I was shooting for Kasautii Zindagi Kay, I got a call from the production house for the lead role in Kasturi. I didn't know how to react. Initially, during the shooting of Kasturi, I fainted because we were working nonstop. Now, I am used to it."

About her role, she says, "I can identify with Kasturi in some ways. Like her, I know what I want to do, and I'm from a middle-class family like her."

http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/may/04sld3.htm

Of rock stars...vamps and uncertainty

A. L. Chougule So far we have been reading and writing about uncertainty in our serials. What most people don't know, however, is that the uncertainty prevails not just in what happens onscreen, but off screen as well. A first person account from the sets of Kasturi hat precisely was the case last week when the press was invited on the sets of Kasturi at Sankaraman Studios in Goregaon. Two hours before the scheduled meet we were told that the shoot was not happening at Sankaraman but Klick Nixon Studios at Saki Naka. In fact uncertainty has dogged Kasturi right from day one. Ten days before the show was to go on air, there was uncertainty about who was going to play the female lead. Balaji discovers talent through auditions but despite a nation-wide hunt for a suitable face to play a middle class Delhi girl, Balaji's talent hunters were running helter-skelter to find that one good face with a beautiful smile and who signifies simplicity. Finally they zero in on Pune girl Praneeta Sahu who marched past 500 girls for the plum role. What Ekta liked about Praneeta was her smile. But she was horrified to see her acting. Praneeta was replaced by Niddhi Uttam who did the curtain raiser episode of the show. But Ekta found her too young for the role and replaced her with Shubhangi Atre who was playing Palchin in Kasauti Zindagi Kay. With such uncertainty and last minute replacements it was a sheer wonder that the show came on air on time. But then if measureless uncertainty is the key to the drama of human life, it is also the spice of television drama. Uncertainty is what rules on the sets of Kasturi as well. We are told that Shubhangi who is down with fever is on her way to the sets. Karan Patel who plays the male lead of rock-star Robbie Sabharwal has arrived but is getting ready. We wait for almost one hour before we get to meet the rock-star. Karan Patel is a Balaji boy. Besides being an actor he is a dancer as well. As a member of Shiamak Davar's dance troupe for three years he has several dance performances to his credit. But that was before he got a break in acting with Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii three years ago. Since then he has been doing only Balaji dailies. Apparently his ability to dance and his three-year long association with Balaji helped him get the main lead in Kasturi. "Ekta said she wanted me to play the lead. After playing character roles in Kahaani..., Kesar and Kavyanjali this was the first big opportunity that came my way and I said yes. A particular look was designed for the character and I appeared for the look test. Ekta was happy and I got the first major role of my career," beams the young actor who did theatre workshops and backstage work with Nadira Babbar before he got a break on television. "I was always keen on acting. That's why while I was doing my graduation I joined Shiamak's dance troupe and later worked with Nadiraji." Talking about his role in Kasturi, he says, "Robbie is a big rock star. He is flamboyant, arrogant and self-made man with loads of attitude and aura around him. He is not a snob and loves his fans. But he is too rich and a classy guy with lot of style, attitude and accessories on his body. Adulation is a way of life with him. I think that's how rock stars are," he says. Ask him how the rich, classy and stylish rock star fell for a middle class girl from Chandni Chowk and he says, "Her simplicity and confidence." After falling in love with Kasturi, Robbie has mellowed down. "He has learnt to respect people and relationships. It's an excellent role and it's definitely a huge responsibility on my shoulders to play the character convincingly. But I am giving it my 100 per cent," says Karan who feels youngsters will easily relate to the story and his character. "Young people don't watch television much, particularly the family soaps. But Kasturi will get good share of youth audience," he adds.

hether youngsters are hooked on to the show is not known but Kasturi is definitely getting eyeballs. In seven weeks it has marched past Zee's channel driver show Saath Phere on the rating charts. Apparently inspired by The Fountainhead, the serial explores the contrast between two classes of people through a love story involving a super rich and brat rock-star and a simple middle-class girl who works to supplement her family's income. "It's the contrast that creates the drama," says Shubhangi who had auditioned for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi while she was in Pune. Kyunki... didn't happen to her. Instead she was asked to play Palchin in Kasauti... Her innings in Kasauti... lasted for only one and half months, thanks to Kasturi. Being an absolute newcomer it was not easy for her to act varied emotions. "I really had a tough time during Kasauti... But Shweta(Tiwari) helped me a lot," she recalls.

Though Kasturi is not easy either. "Initially it was very tough playing the main protagonist. During the first eight days I did not even go home and also fainted twice on the sets. But now I have got into the groove though it's not all that easy yet," she reveals. But Shubhangi is happy that the role came her way in the most unexpected way and has changed her life completely. "My world has changed drastically within three months. It's a different life that I had not even imaged to live," she smiles. It's a life that allows her only five to six hours of sleep. "Sleep has become a luxury for me," she quips. She also has very less time for her husband and one and half year's old baby. "But somehow I am managing it all," she adds.

Though her world has changed Shubhangi says she is still middle-class girl and believes in family values. "I will always keep my values intact," she beams. While she is sure of keeping her middle class values intact she is not sure of the future of her love story with Robbie. "Currently the love track is being played out but I am not sure what's in store for Kasturi. She has realized the stark contrast between her and Robbie and may be she will have second thoughts about her future with him. But you never know what will happen because changes take place every day," she elaborates. Indeed. For, without measureless and perpetual uncertainty television drama would be dead. It would be dead if there were no villains and vamps. And often in family dramas villains and vamps always come from within the family.

Kasturi and Robbie's love story is definitely headed for turbulent times, thanks to Robbie's mother Devika, Kasturi's chachi Alka and sister-in-law Pooja. Devika is doing her best to retrieve her son from Kasturi's love. Alka can't see Kasturi happy and Pooja hates her. Says Priya Arya who plays Alka, "Her main grouse is that the family business is controlled by Kasturi's father. Having come from a rich family she wants to control the family and have a say in everything. She can't bear to see Kasturi in love with a rich guy. I like my character because in daily soaps it's only the main lead and the main negative character that get maximum success. This is my first major negative role in a serial and I am really looking at doing my best."

Pooja's grouse against Kasturi is that she lost her job because of Kasturi. Married to Kasturi's brother she has an affair with Robbie's sister's husband Nikhil. "Pooja is an ambitious girl. Though she belongs to a middle-class family she dreams big and wants to be in the company of rich people. Her job as Robbie's secretary was her ticket to mingle with the rich and famous. Since she lost the job because of Kasturi her affair with Nikhil is her link to the high society and she will do anything to make Kasturi unhappy," says Amita Chandekar who plays Pooja. With such vamps within the family to create high drama and conflict Kasturi certainly doesn't need enemies.

http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=16284

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

This young and dashing actor, who is slowly becoming the newest Balaji boy in tellyworld, is already showing airs. Yes, we are talking about Karan Patel who plays the lead in Balaji's newest show 'Kasturi' on Star Plus.

This actor had prompt replies for all the questions that were shot at him whether it was related to the show, or his character or even Balaji. Declaring himself a lover of Balaji, Karan says, "I do not want to work outside Balaji. It is the best production house". Karan has, thus, done cameos in almost all of the Balaji shows and loosed count while naming them.

The show Kasturi was launched when the third season of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' went off air. Speaking about the success of the show Karan says, "It is a show which is a love story between two people belonging to different classes in the society falling in love. It has well sketched characters and not exactly a saas-bahu saga".

Karan plays the character of a Robby Sabharwal, who is a famous rock singer and thinks he is the best. The character started on the note of Robby being a rude and arrogant guy who belongs to a rich family. But now the character after falling in love with the lead protagonist of the show, Kasturi has changed for the better. He has started feeling a concern for things around him. Ask this dude and he says, "I'm happy that I have got to play different shades of character in one show". Karan smartly denies that he is similar to the old Robby but strongly feels that he possess the characteristic of the changed Robby.

Karan who shoots seven days a week and around 12 hours a day for the show does not however believe in reality shows. He believes that fiction shows like such bring more fame than reality shows. "Fiction is way bigger. Tell me how many names you remember from the reality shows and how many you do from serials" asserts Karan.

This actor who aspires to get into films soon had made his entry into the tellywood through 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki'. That was three years back and now he has graduated to a lead character. On being asked where he sees himself two years don the line Karan proudly says, "Where is Shahrukh Khan at present. Two years from now, I would be just two years less than what he is now".

High hopes Karan, but very few television stars have actually made it big in Bollywood.

http://entertainment.oneindia.in/television/top-stories/spec ials/karan-shahrukh-260607.html

indya: Hi all, welcome to yet another chat on Indya. This time we have your favourite Karan Patel aka Robbie of Kasturi with us. So keep those questions coming

guest39: Which is your first serial?
karan_patel: Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki.

guest39: How did you get the role of Robbie?
karan_patel: Ekta called me one fine day, I looked at the script and liked it.

atitude_gurl: Which is the happiest moment of your life?
karan_patel: When I was seen in Kasturi.

maham_sear: Karan, you must be knowing by know how goodlooking, talented and sexy you are, but do you realise your voice is also sexy? Congrats on your stardom and I hope to see you venture into Bollywood soon, Inshallah. You are meant to be the next king of Bollywood!
karan_patel: Inshallah.... That's very sweet of you, God Bless.

atitude_gurl: Who is your latest crush?
karan_patel: Don't have one right now... When I do, will let you know.

maham_sear: Hey Karan! It's me... You had promised me at india-forums interview that you will invite me to the premiere of your first movie and you asked me for my email id. Well it's salufan4ever@hotmail.com
karan_patel: I will on the day of my premier.

guest83: Don't you think that the character you are playing in Kasturi is similar to the character of Angad of Kaisa Yeh Pyaar Hai played by Iqbal Khan?
karan_patel: No, it's very different, it's totally different.

maham_sear: Since I am a die hard fan of yours from Pakistan, I would like to know if you are open to work in Indo-Pak combine productions?
karan_patel: Surely, I would look forward to it. It's a good step.

misshti: When is your birthday?
karan_patel: 23rd November.

guest39: Which was the best moment on the sets of Kasturi?
karan_patel: I think every time the Mitwa song is played in the background, it is great.

atitude_gurl: Your dream role?
karan_patel: Would be defintely Shah Rukh Khan's role in Dilwale Dhulhania Le Jayenge.

guest78: Hey Karan, what are your hobbies?
karan_patel: I do lot of horse ridding.

charu_grl04: Which serial you like most - Kasturi or Kahani?
karan_patel: Kasturi.

kaash12: Whom do you admire the most?
karan_patel: Undoubtedly Shah Rukh Khan!

maham_sear: Karan, I am planning to make a website for you. If I send you the link will you check it out?
karan_patel: I will, 100 per cent!

charu_grl04: Karan what are your likes and dislikes? What is your favourite time pass?
karan_patel: My favourite pass time is playing video games. I hate people who are dishonest and like people who are straight forward and honest!

kaash12: How does it feel when you are being loved by so many people in a place, which you have never dreamed of? What does that feeling say? How do you portray it in your words?
karan_patel: I feel like I am on the top of the world, so many of you take time off to write and appreciate the work I do. Its heart warming and I am pleased!

prc4sanyogita: Which is your most embarrassing moment?
karan_patel: Not yet and I hope it never comes... I take things in a good spirit. So its been fine.

kaash12: Hi Karan, this is Kashfta from Bangladesh... I love you as Robbie and I love your eyes.
karan_patel: Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I hope I never let you down, I am working hard.

maham_sear: Karan, I must compliment you on your styling and dressing sense. Who is responsible for it? Please wear more white, you look super hot in it.
karan_patel: Where the credit is concerned, I take it all, as I decide what I want to wear. About the white, I will try using more of it.

suneelhameerani: Which is your favourite food?
karan_patel: Mughlai.

atitude_gurl: Which is the sadest moment of your life?
karan_patel: When I lost my horse. That was the sadest moment of my life, I was very fond of him. I called him Astonish.

prc4sanyogita: Do you like the role of Robbie and why?
karan_patel: I love the character because it is appreciated and so dearly loved by so many of you and Robbie is frank and I like that aspect about him.

oranges80: Hi I am Poonam. You say you don't like manipulative people, then tell me what is the one thing that you dislike in Ekta's soaps?
karan_patel: Poonam there is nothing I dislike about Ekta's soaps, as they are real and the actors are just portraying it.

guest103: With whom would you want to go out on a date with?
karan_patel: That's a nice one... Undoubtedly, it would be Karishma Kapoor! or Jennifer Anisten.

guest78: Hi Karan, you look dashing in the serial Kasturi.
karan_patel: Thank you so much... Whoever you are, God bless you!

guest49: Do you act in theatre also?
karan_patel: No, I don't.

guest39: Do you sing in real life?
karan_patel: No, I am a trrible singer.

guest49: What is your pet name?
karan_patel: People call me Karan only.

charu_grl04: What type of person you are? As shown in Kasturi or different from that character?
karan_patel: Quite similar to the character in Kasturi.

dk_yngzm: Do you have a girlfriend?
karan_patel: No... Unfortunately.

charu_grl04: Hey Karan, I must say your smile is very nice.
karan_patel: Thank you Charu... I hope you keep smiling in your life.

guest103: Karan, where do you like hanging out when you are off from a shoot?
karan_patel: Probably at a friend's house or mine or by the beach.

hiranshi: Which is your best holiday spot?
karan_patel: London.

guest110: Tell us one thing which you haven't shared with your viewers until today?
karan_patel: I am an exteremly emotionaly person.

guest110: If not an actor what would you be?
karan_patel: Struggling to be an actor. This is what I always wanted to be.

guest73: Which place do you prefer living in London or Mumbai?
karan_patel: Amchi Mumbai!

charu_grl04: Karan what are your future plans?
karan_patel: Venture into Bollywood!

kaash12: Your eye colour is for real or you use contact lenses?
karan_patel: That is really my eye colour only.

kaash12: Karan, I love you so much! Now plz say few words for me "Kashfia, I love u...
karan_patel: Kashfia, I love you. I will keep up my hard work, so you keep loving me!

guest78: Hey Karan what's your age?
karan_patel: 24.

indya: Thanks Karan, it was nice having you on chat. Any messages for your fans?
karan_patel:Thank you so much... I am sorry I couldn't answer all your questions today... Need to hury for a shot. My message to all you folks is "live life king size, you only get it once!" I would also thank indya for this opportunity to get me and my fans closer! Love you all... Keep loving me!

indya:Watch out for karan's message on indya.com

http://www.indya.com/news/karanpatel_chat.html