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January 16, 2003-Screen Weekly

Armaan Suri - YES BOSS
By: Sukanya Venkatraghavan

His film debut was almost faultless. Big banner, reputed director and established co-stars. But inspite of Pardes' success luck still eluded Apurva Agnihotri. Finally the show Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi where he plays the sauve and charming Armaan Suri, has lifted his fortunes as girls all over wish they were Armaan's secretary. A tete-a-tete with the goodlooking actor

Jassi... has happened when you were lying quite low.
Yes, the film offers were absolutely uninspiring. I think the Pardes hangover still continues because most of the roles that I was offered was of an NRI. They would come to me with visuals like, 'You will be coming down from London. The first shot is of you arriving at the airport'.. and so on. Every story sounded the same to me. As an actor I cringe from doing anything stereotypical. But Jassi... has been a suprise entry in my life. I had never really thought of television as a career option.

So how come you decided to foray into it?
I was initially confused when Tony and Deeya Singh approached me for the role of Armaan Suri in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. Television was an unknown territory for me. The approach and the scale is different, so is the working style. But when I heard the story and screenplay there was no more dilly-dallying with the decision. Anyone would have grabbed the role.

Did you watch the Columbian production to get a a feel of the character?
I watched bits of it. I wanted to play Armaan Suri my way, without any influence from other quarters. He should be my original design based on the sketch given to me. Hence I took care not to watch too much of the original show. And I must say that our directors have been amazing, guiding us and at the same time letting us innovate.

Can you identify with the character in anyway?
No. I don't rave and rant so much in real life. I am a softspoken guy. I am also an introvert and can't dream of chasing women with such fervour in real life. Not that I am not enjoying it on screen. (smiles)

Do you find it difficult to play someone you are not?
As an actor I should be able to excel in any role. I try and play it by the ear most of the time. I don't believe in rehearsing too much. I don't want to go for every shot with too many preconcieved notions. I like to leave room for improvisation. And as for playing someone I am not, I feel a good actor should be able to switch on and off from the character whenever needed. Once I am through with the shooting I don't let Armaan Suri come home with me.

Jassi Jaisi... is an amazing combination of the underdog and the people with power. Deep down we all want to be a bit of both'

How do you cope with this whole secrecy aspect surrounding the identity of Jassi? People must be plaguing you with questions.
Yes they do....

And?
Nothing. it doesn't bother me(grinning all the time)

Do you think it is the curiousity value that is keeping the interest levels pumped up?
To an extent yes. But more than that the basic storyline is very appealing. It is an amazing combination of the underdog and the people with power. Deep down we all want to be a bit of both.

Why do you think Jassi is falling in love with Armaan Suri?
Well, he is probably the only person who does not judge her on the basis of how she looks. He knows her worth and intelligence. Even though he might manipulate her to suit his schemes and plans, I think she feels there is a basic thread of trust between them.

So, does Jassi get the guy in the end?
You will have to wait and see.

Have you adjusted to the working ways of television?
The long hours can be taxing. But I am getting used to it. Doing television is more like a regular job with more or less fixed working hours. Sometimes it does get monotonous. But we have so much fun on the sets that no one is ever bored. But I realise I can't get complacent. Soap opera characters are constantly evolving so I can't afford to take it easy.

Do you think you are getting noticed now, because of the popularity of the show?
Yes indeed. I have signed some films, interesting projects and I have one film which is almost complete. It is with Ahmed Khan and revolves around a group of four guys. Be it television or films, I am here to stay. So I am ready to try out anything that comes my way and is good. I am not new to the indusry. My father Gyan Dev Agnihotri was a writer. He has worked with the likes of Basu Bhattacharya. You know when he was alive I was never really keen on joining films. But after he died somehow films seemed to be the natural path to take. I wanted my debut to be in a good film and thankfully it was. But I still have a long way to go.

So, are you going to be concentrating on Jassi...for the time being?
What I need to concentrate on, right now is sleep (grinning). I have been working almost round the clock. But seriously, yes Jassi...will always be special and she will get my full attention now (laughs). The show has given my career a new lease of life.

September 19, 2003-Cybernoon.com

He is SONY TELEVISION'S CHOSEN ONE!

How did Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin happen?
I got a call from Deeya (Singh) who was keen to sign me on for their (Tony & Deeya Singh) new project. I liked the subject immensely. Actually, even the channel was hot on me. That's how it all started.

Tell us about your character in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.
I'm playing Armaan, an affluent guy, who experiences a change of heart for Jassi. The plot centres around Jassi, who hails from a middle-class family, and comes in contact with high falutin' people.

Did you ever imagine that you would get such a terrific response?
While shooting, I was happy with the way our project was shaping up. It's a simple subject that everyone can identify with. Touchwood, people have taken to it in a big way, which is evident from the stupendous TRPs. Plus, the fact that it's currently showing from Monday to Thursday on prime time at nine helps. I'm told the initial response has been unprecedented. Actually, it's adapted from the super-successful serial Yo Soy Beatty La Fea, which has been aired in 25 countries already. I believe it's currently running in Spain.

The TRPs are much higher than Sahara Television's Karishma, which has not evoked a favourable response. Is that flattering?
I'm not commenting on any other serial. It's not my prerogative to do so. Moreover, much has been written about it in the press already. But I'm happy that Jassi Jaissi... has kicked off well. I'm learning a lot. I'm confident it'll sustain.

Weren't you approached for Karishma too?
(A bit hesitantly) Yes, Akashdeep had called me. But, at that stage, I wasn't ready for the medium. Besides, the serial is focussed on Karisma Kapoor. I thought I'd get lost in the flood of men cast in the serial. I felt bad turning down the offer, but he was kind and understanding.

Your recent film Dhund: The Fog with Amar Upadhyay didn't fare well. Comment.
The fault lay in the marketing of the film and its music. We had a decent product on hand, and the horror genre was in. With greater visibility, we might have pulled through.

How does it feel to be launched by Subhash Ghai?
Of course, I'll always be indebted to Mr. Ghai for giving me a good launch in Pardes. We continue to share a great rapport. I'm particularly fond of his wife, who has been extremely caring and warm to me. Needless to add, I'll be happy to work with Subhashji again.

What about your next film?
It's with Ahmed (Khan) and with several other actors. I'm excited about it. It's shaped up well.

We hear that you are doing an English film Echoes as well?
I'll talk about it in due course of time.

What's happening in your personal life?
(Laughs) Nothing. I'm single at the moment. I'm still young, and haven't found the right partner yet.

May 12, 2005-The Times of India: Kanpur Times

Excerpt: TV's hot males
By: Manisha Almadi

Apoorva Agnihotri aka Armaan Sir of Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin

Loved for: His chocolate boy looks and vulnerability
Hated for: Ignoring the bespectacled Jassi

March 18, 2005-Yahoo India: Entertainment News

February 2005

Apoorva Agnihotri on Valentines' Day

"Valentine's day gives you the opportunity to be really vocal about your feeling for someone who's ignited that spark in you. At other times in the year, you are a little restrained because there's no way you can suddenly go to her and blurt out, 'I love you, I really do.' But on this day you can do that knowing that she'll take it in the right spirit and if she feels the same way about you it'll make her feel on top of the world. Well, that's what I'm planning to do this Valentine's day. Say 'I love you' in all the ways I know and make her day, I hope."

Narayani Shastri and Saroj Khan in Pati Patni aur Woh..
25 September 2009

Narayani Shastri and Saroj Khan will be seen judging one particular task given to the five couples in NDTV Imagine's Pati Patni aur Woh..

Narayani Shastri, the ex-girl friend of Gaurav Chopra along with the Dance Guru, Saroj Khan will be seen as judges for a particular task in NDTV Imagine's Pati Patni aur Woh, which is to launch on September 28th at the 10.30 PM slot.

The show will have the five chosen couples taking care of new born babies, feeding them whenever they are hungry, to changing diapers, from giving them a bath to putting them to sleep, they will have to do it all. And this is not all - they will have to run their house as a regular couple, doing laundry, cleaning toilets, cooking food etc. All this on a middle class budget, with absolutely no help from outside.

The show will see the couples go thro' various small tasks which will prove to be a test for them.

According to our source, "One such task was judged by Narayani Shastri and Saroj Khan".

When contacted, Narayani confirmed the news and said, "Yes, I will be judging one of the tasks with Saroj ji. The task was performed by all the five couples. It was a nice experience; all of them did perform really well in the given task. They had been given less time to prepare for it, but did it well".

The show has five couples in Apurva-Shilpa, Gaurav-Mouni, Gurmeet-Debinna, Sachin-Juhi and Rakhi-Elesh. The show will be hosted by Sharad Kelkar.