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'Singing and dancing shows are passe' - Apurva Agnihotri
13 August 2009

Apurva Agnihotri who is to take part in Imagine's Pati Patni Aur Woh with wife Shilpa disses the reality television shows which involve singing and dancing...

Apurva Agnihotri and his wife Shilpa Saklani Agnihotri are returning back to the television after a hiatus with NDTV Imagine's Pati Patni aur Woh.

This reality television series doesn't involve dancing, singing or any gut wrenching dare. All this reality show requires is for the participating couple to exhibit their parental skills.

Did Apurva, in the process of endorsing his show, somehow tip off the scale and turn out to be offensive? This is what the actor had to say when questioned why he chose Pati Patni aur Woh to come back to television- "I personally as a viewer am kind of bored with singing and dancing reality shows. I wouldn't watch them. I'd rather take my dog out for a walk instead."

He goes on to talk about Pati Patni aur Woh, "This show might change the face of reality television. This might turn out to be a trendsetter."

On the other hand, Apurva's better half Shilpa jumped into the ship for hubby dearest. She says, "It was after a long time that I got a chance to work with Apoorva. It was not possible earlier as either he would be tied up in a commitment or I. This offer was made to us at the right moment and I just couldn't let such a nice offer go."

However Apurva wasn't the only reason Shilpa chose to do the show. She says, "I love kids. And I was told that here I would have a chance to spend time with kids. So I decided to go for it."

We all know that Balaji's venture Kitni Mohabbat Hai on NDTV Imagine is soon to conclude soon. Well the final date of the show going off air has been declared and it will end, this month itself.

"The show is going off air on 25 September. There will be a high drama between Arjun and Arohi at the end," states our khabroo.

Elaborating more on the storyline our source adds, "Definitely being a love story it's going to be a happy ending, wherein Arjun and Arohi will come together forever. Arohi and her sisters will unite too in the end."

"This show will be replaced by the upcoming reality show, Pati Patni Aur Woh, which will start from 28 September on Monday at 10:30 pm," concludes the source.

The countdown for Kitni begins, while it also starts for the unique reality show Pati Patni Aur Woh…

http://news.desi**fo***.net/television/indian-television-news/2738-pati-patni-to-replace-kitni.html

'This is not done' - Raj Singh Arora & Swati Taldar
09 August 2009

Raj Singh Arora and Swati Taldar express their displeasure at being axed from NDTV Imagine's' soon to be announced reality show, Pati Patni Aur Woh.

Raj Singh Arora and Swati Taldar are pretty annoyed at BBC and NDTV Imagine for dropping them at the last minute from their upcoming reality show, Pati Patni Aur Woh, which is a desi adaptation of the hit international format, 'The Baby Borrowers' and includes the couples Gaurav Chopra-Mouni Roy, Apurva-Shilpa Agnihotri, Gurmeet-Debinna and Sachin-Juhi.

As reported by Telly Buzz, the duo will be replaced by Rakhi Sawant and Elesh Parujanwala, for the channel thought that Rakhi and her fiance would be more popular after Rakhi Ka Swayamvar.

An angry Raj says that the unprofessional production house and channel did not even have the courtesy to inform them that they have been replaced. "It is only when we contacted BBC, did they finally agree to a meeting where they just said sorry. "This is not done, we demand an explanation! I let go of two shows and a couple of movies to
be a part of this project. We had signed the contract with too last month, got token money and had even undergone proper orientation sessions for the show. We even told family and friends that their interviews would be required, now how do we face them?".

Raj furthur added, "I understand that Rakhi is a better bet, but even I am a well known face in the TV industry (Remix and Four) and definitely deserve better treatment".

Swati last seen in Left Right Left (Second season) on her part also was visibly upset " I advanced my sister's wedding thinking that I will be busy in the next 2/3 months. We had to do everything in a rush and just when the wedding was about to get over, I get news that we are no longer a part of Pati Patni Aur Woh. Like Raj, I also lost out on two good TV projects", said she.

In closing both added that despite being private people, they had agreed to come clean on their 6 year old relationship, for the show need couples and "This is what we get in return".

'The Baby Borrowers' gets its celebrity Jodis...
06 August 2009

The likes of Apurva-Shilpa, Gaurav-Mouni, Juhi-Sachin, Gurmeet-Debinna and Raj Singh Arora-Swati Taldar will be getting into a parenting mode thro' the upcoming show, 'The Baby Borrowers'...

We had earlier exclusively reported that five celebrity couples will get together to experience a fast track to adulthood by setting up a home, and becoming caring parents first to babies, toddlers, pre-teens and their pets, teenagers and senior citizens -- all over the course of three weeks, with the show 'The Baby Borrowers', produced by BBC. The show is tipped to be on NDTV Imagine, and will start sometime in September.

We had also mentioned that popular jodis Shilpa - Apurva Agnihotri and Gaurav Chopra –Mouni Roy have been finalized for the show.

Our source digs in more information on the other three celebrity jodis who will be getting into the parenting mode thro the show. "Juhi Parmar and Sachin Shroff along with Gurmeet Chaudhury and Debinna Banerjee will be seen as the third and fourth jodis. Along with them, the popular actor from Remix, Raj Singh Arora will be seen with his girl friend Swati Taldar of Left Right Fame".

When we called up Swati Taldar, she said, "I am at my home town and busy right now. I will be able to talk to you only after two days".

Debinna Banerjee told us, "Things are under wraps at the moment, and we cannot speak anything right now".

Raj Singh Arora too gave us a reply, "No comments right now".

We tried calling Sachin Shroff, Juhi Parmar, but they remained unavailable for comments.

According to our source, "Many big names like Sharad and Kirti Kelkar, Karan Singh Grover and Shraddha Nigam, Sharad Malhotra and Divyanka Tripathi were approached for the show, but things did not materialize. There was also a buzz that the newly engaged Rakhi Sawant might also be seen as one of the contestants along with her new found Mr. Right, Elesh Parujanwala".

During the course of the show, the five young celebrity couples are asked to literally grow up overnight, when they are given a home, and certain simulated environments where they are expecting the arrival of their baby. Later, a real baby is given to each of the couples by five pairs of real volunteer parents. The couple will have to go thro' the chores of being new parents to the little one for three full days. After this, the couple will have to give the kid back, in return to which they get a toddler in the fast-forward process of the format of the show. Three days later, the couples are given several guys and gals in their pre-teens, each with a family pet coming along with them. Later on, the celebrities are given teenagers to deal with, and the cycle eventually completes with them taking care of a senior citizen with some ailment or the other.

We tried getting a confirmation from the channel and the production house, but got no

Shilpa-Apurva, Gaurav-Mouni in 'The Baby Borrowers'..
18 July 2009

A popular GEC will now have the desi version of 'The Baby Borrowers' produced by BBC, wherein Apurva and Shilpa, Gaurav Chopra and Mouni Roy will take part...

After the launch of Desi versions of 'Moment of Truth' and 'I'm A Celebrity..Get Me Out Of Here', we are now all geared up for the new social experiment on Indian Television, titled 'The Baby Borrowers' based on the hit British program that asks five diverse couples to fast-track to adulthood by setting up a home, getting a job and becoming caring parents first to babies, toddlers, pre-teens and their pets, teenagers and senior citizens -- all over the course of three weeks. The show will be produced by BBC, who earlier produced Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa for Sony TV.

According to our source, "This show will be launched on a popular channel, and will have five celebrity couples taking part".

With this show, the very popular real life couple Apurva and Shilpa Agnihotri will make a comeback to television. They were last seen together in Nach Baliye. "Shilpa and Apurva are finalized for the show. Giving them company will be the dashing Gaurav Chopra and the sizzling Mouni Roy. The other three celebrity couples will be finalized very soon. The show is set to launch on a popular channel sometime in August or early September", adds our source.

Apurva was last seen in Radha Ki Betiyaan Kuchh Kar Dikhayengi, while Mouni and Shilpa were in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Gaurav Chopra was last seen in 9X' Tyohaar Dhamaka.

We tried calling Gaurav Chopra as well as Mouni, and even sent text messages but they did not respond.

We could not get thro' to Apurva and Shilpa too for a confirmation.

During the course of the show, the five young celebrity couples are asked to literally grow up overnight, when they are given a home, and certain simulated environments where they are expecting the arrival of their baby. Later, a real baby is given to each of the couples by five pairs of real volunteer parents. The couple will have to go thro' the chores of being new parents to the little one for three full days. After this, the couple will have to give the kid back, in return to which they get a toddler in the fast-forward process of the format of the show. Three days later, the couples are given several guys and gals in their pre-teens, each with a family pet coming along with them. Later on, the celebrities are given teenagers to deal with, and the cycle eventually completes with them taking care of a senior citizen with some ailment or the other.

So it's now over to the emotional and dramatic journey of the five couples who get an opportunity to look into their future, and discover how good or bad they would be in building up a family for themselves…

Rakhi isn't calling it splits with Elesh
23 September 2009

Rakhi Sawant continues to be engaged to Toronto-based businessman Elesh Parujanwala, a source from NDTV IMagine said denying reports ...

Rakhi Sawant continues to be engaged to Toronto-based businessman Elesh Parujanwala, a source from NDTV IMagine said denying reports that the couple have broken up.

'Rakhi has not called it splits with Elesh. The couple are still seeing each other and very much together', said an insider from NDTV Imagine, on condition of anonymity.

Rakhi and Elesh got engaged through the reality show 'Swayamvar'. Though the item girl-turned-actress had recently told IANS that she is jittery about marriage and motherhood after having to change diapers and sing lullabies for a baby boy for NDTV Imagine's show 'Pati Patni Aur Woh', the news of her giving Elesh the boot is a 'media hype', said the channel source.

'Rakhi has not broken off her engagement with Elesh. This is only an unnecessary buzz that media has created. She is very much with him. She has in fact been noticed being very cosy with him,' the insider added.

The news of the split came, in effect, after it was reported Monday that Rakhi decided not to marry him citing 'irreconcilable differences'.

The pair has also been visibly sporting their engagement rings and cuddling a number of times, as observed by an IANS correspondent during a recent visit to Candolim, Goa where the couple is learning the hardships of parenting on the sets of reality show 'Pati Patni Aur Woh'.

Apparently, Rakhi also addresses Elesh as 'baby'.

Rakhi was unavailable for comment as phones are not allowed inside the 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' sets.

Gaurav's commitment phobia miffs Mouni..
11 August 2009

Gaurav's tactful evasion of relationship oriented questions during the press launch of Imagine's new reality show leaves girlfriend Mouni miffed...

Well, we would really love to put the same question to Gaurav once this show ends. Till then, we wish the duo happy parenting!!

'Marriage is a tough responsibility' - Sachin Shroff
21 January 2009

With less than a month to go for his marriage to popular actress Juhi Parmar, Sachin Shroff talks about the wedding preparations and much more..

Sachin Shroff is quite looking forward to his D-Day. The lead of Naaginn will get married to his sweet heart Juhi Parmar on the 15th of February. "I am quite busy with the arrangements. Getting the right costumes is a big task, but I am surely enjoying every bit of it. However, we are keeping the details of our wedding dress a secret, and are just providing little tidbits to each other, to ensure that that our outfits don't clash", quips Sachin.

How does it feel to have a real wedding after some many onscreen trails? "It's really different you know. There we would have a dozen cuts, but here everything has to have a smooth sailing", verbalizes Sachin.

Sachin does not think that he is hurrying into marriage. "28 is a right age yaar. Many of my cousins already have kids. Agreed our courtship period is less, but yet what matters is our love, and having said that I know of a couple who got married after six years of going around, but their marriage did not last even for two years", states he.

He further accepts that equations do change after marriage. Sachin further quips, "Obviously now you spend much more time in proximity. There is a certain honeymoon period after which tensions may arise. But everything can work out fine, if you are ready to adjust a bit".

In closing, he refused to give details of the exotic honeymoon he has planned for Juhi. "If I say that now how can it be a surprise?", expresses the actor.

Lastly, on the big question of definition of marriage according to him, Sachin concludes, "It's a tough responsibility".

"WE'LL PLAN A BABY BUT ONLY AFTER KAAJJAL"

ARMAAN SURI'S SHADOW FROM JASSI JAISI KOI NAHIN IS STILL CONFRONTING APOORVA AGNIHOTRI WHO'S ESSAYING A SIMILAR CHARACTER IN SONY'S NEW BABY, KAAJJAL. HOWEVER, THE ACTOR DOESN'T MIND GETTING TYPECAST AND CLAIMS THAT THIS IS THE NICHE HE'S CARVED FOR HIMSELF ON THE SMALL SCREEN.

HE SHARED SPACE ON THE SILVER SCREEN WITH SHAH RUKH KHAN IN PARDES BUT FAILED TO RECREATE THE SAME MAGIC IN ANY OF HIS OTHER FILMS. THEN, LIFE FOR APOORVA UNDERWENT A PHENOMENAL CHANGE WHEN HE BEAMED INTO OUR DRAWING ROOMS AS THE SNOOTY BUT SMASHING ARMAAN SURI IN SONY'S JASSI… HOWEVER, THE SNOB APPEAL SEEMS TO HAVE TRAPPED THE ACTOR IN AN IMAGE OF HIS OWN MAKING.

ST: Is Apoorva slowly getting typecast as the quintessential angry young man of the small screen?

AA: I don't mind being typecast. You need to create a niche. At the end of the day, it's the success of the product that matters. If the audience likes that image and the product is good, then one's market price goes up. All in all, on a platform like television, one is not given so many opportunities. Television is a monotonous medium. All characters, more or less, look the same. You can't do an Omkara and a DDLJ over here. I feel I've created my niche and I am content playing these characters. My first priority remains the script and then comes the money factor while choosing roles. I can't be shortsighted to only think about money while overlooking the script.

ST: Don't you feel that after Pardes, it was television that gave your sagging career a new lease of life?

AA: Yes, in Pardes, people liked my character, which had shades of grey. After that, I made a wrong choice of films and I would partly blame it on destiny too. In most of my films, I was not playing the lead. Maybe the audience wanted me to play the main protagonist and not the side character. Television helped me establish myself as an actor. I got meaty roles like Armaan Suri and Dev Pratap Singh. They helped me to stay on my toes and made me all the more spontaneous. I am a true Sagittarius and I take things as they come.

ST: Jassi… soared up Apoorva's popularity to a new level and his slickly etched character became one of the most memorable and admired ones on the small screen.

AA: Yes, Jassi… was great fun. Initially there was verve and spontaneity in all of us on the sets. Later on there was a perceptible stillness. We were working round the clock and eventually got fatigued. Understandably, that fatigue was visible on-screen too.

ST: But Armaan Suri still became one of the most loved characters.

AA: Each character had become so real to life and everybody identified with each of us; even Nandu's portrayal was received very well. The USP of the soap was the fact that every character was very well etched out. In fact, when I went to Canada for my honeymoon with Shilpa, so many people told us that they loved the serial and all the characters. When I had signed the serial initially, I had mixed feelings. I thought maybe I was taking a risk. But I knew that either it would hit the bull's eye or it would be a disaster.

ST: How was your experience of Nach Baliye where you paired up with wife Shilpa Saklani?

AA: For me, Nach Baliye was a scary experience. I am very shy and an introvert. Leave aside dancing; even talking to a stranger gives me butterflies in my belly. But Shilpa is just the opposite. She is very outgoing and a total extrovert. We worked very hard though we couldn't rehearse much because of our tight shooting schedules. It was a great learning experience for me as I shed all my inhibitions and now I can do a better job of dancing.

ST: When the awesome twosome was voted out, were there any hard feelings?

AA: (He gets poignant at this one) Parmeet (Sethi) had said a very beautiful thing, 'Out of ten couples, only one would win.' I was mentally prepared for the worst though Shilpa wasn't. She had tears in her eyes.

ST: What is your role in Sony's new show, Kaajjal?

AA: Armaan's character was more boisterous and larger-than-life. While the character of Dev Pratap Singh is more real and he is someone who has few emotions. But we are trying to make it different from my earlier role. I am an instinctive guy and the role was narrated to me with a lot of passion. I was sure that the results would be positive.

ST: If Apoorva made his mark as Armaan, then wife Shilpa became a household name as Ganga in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Has marriage changed him as a person?

AA: Before meeting Shilpa, I used to be restless. However, I have become very patient now. The presence of a woman in your life makes you flexible and stable. Both of us are in the same industry and doing well and there been no ego clashes. Nothing like that has happened. And if something happens then I just put my head down and listen.

ST: It is also said that being an actor's wife is a difficult thing to be in the world, so how has he tamed Shilpa?

AA: We trust each other completely. It only takes a few minutes to break the trust. There hasn't been any kind of misunderstanding. My popularity is there today but tomorrow, I might lose it. But Shilpa is one factor that'll be constantly with me, throughout my life, come what may!
ST: Does that mean his Casanova image has gone for a toss?

AA: (He laughs) well! I'll smile if someone calls me a Casanova on-screen, but certainly not off-screen. Girls make passes but I take them with a pinch of salt. Of course, I don't encourage all that. I am so shy that I can't even see girls eye-to-eye. Till now, I have never expressed my feelings to any girl. I don't know how I did that with Shilpa.

ST: What about having a child in his family?

AA: We'll plan a baby but only after Kaajjal.

Stop laughing, damn it!

Apoorva Agnihotri had to lift and twirl Surveen Chawla, who weighs 56 kgs, 15 times for a romantic scene. Surveen goofed up every take by laughing

Ranjib Mazumder

November 29, 2006

Recently Apoorva Agnihotri found out that shooting a romantic scene is back-breaking job. The actor had to lift and twirl his heroine, Surveen Chawla, who weighs 56 kgs, for as many as 15 retakes while shooting a romantic rain sequence for Kaajjal Sabbki AnkhonMein Basi!

The actor was especially miffed because Surveen kept goofing up take after take, simply by laughing mid-shot when she was required to be intensely romantic. No skin off her back, we guess, since it was Apurva who had to do all the heaving and ho-ing.

A source in the production house said, "It was a romantic scene where both of them were supposed to shoot in the rain. They were completely drenched and since the shot just wasn't getting okayed, Apurva had to lift Surveen up several times. Anyway, Apoorva was not in a good mood that day. The scene required some intense moments between them, yet Surveen continued to laugh all through. This really got the poor chap irritated."

When contacted, Surveen said, "Yes, Apoorva was a bit irritated as he had to lift me up 15 times! No doubt he had a really tough time lifting me up, as I weigh not less than 56 kilos. What's more, the rather long scene had to be shot from various angles, so it took all the more long to get it perfect."

Was Apoorva angry? "He was not furious, or anything, but yes, he did get a little irritated because he had to lift me up several times and he was tired. I am always at ease while shooting. I enjoy myself and laugh a lot on the sets," she replied. Obviously, Apoorva Agnihotri didn't share the joke with her this time.

The actor was not available for comment.