Shweta in AD-New article updated pg 3 - Page 3

Apart from the conjoined twins, the Sony saga is another tale altogether

Though the conjoined twins tale in the soon-to-be-launched Sony soap Amber Dhara is a novel theme for television, the theatre scenario has already seen a drama based on Siamese twins.

Amber Dhara, which has newcomers in the title role, features Mona Ambegaonkar (as the mother) and Shweta Gulati (as a friend of the twins).

But Amber Dhara producers Vikas Seth and Siddharth Tiwari of Swastik Pictures deny that Amber Dhara is based on the popular play Lali Lila, which has been staged in various languages on the floorboards.

Dual support: Shweta Gulati and Mona Ambegaonkar

Says Seth, "We are aware that there is a well-known play about conjoined twins.

In fact, I have seen the drama as well but Amber Dhara is not based on it.

The serial has a pair of conjoined twins that's it. The serial is based on my concept and story outline."

The play penned by Devendra Pem was originally staged in Marathi and later in Gujarati and Hindi by producer Sanjay Goradia and directed by Vipul Mehta. Pem is also the writer of the cult-hit play All The Best which has been staged in various languages.

The play is about Siamese twins Lali and Lila, who, despite being physically joined at the hip, are vastly dissimilar in temperament. One of them is a net savvy graphic designer, while the other is a painter and poet.

Life changes when Lila falls in love with a boy with whom she is used to chatting on the net. From that day on, complications emerge in the life of the twins.

Bachchan link

Interestingly, the Hindi version of Lali Lila was co-produced by AB Corp and presented by Jaya Bachchan. She had seen the Gujarati version and expressed a desire that AB Corp's first theatre venture would be Lali Lila.

Adds Seth, "Amber Dhara has a pair of conjoined twins and then it takes off on their trials and tribulations. It is tough shooting with a pair who are joined at the hip. The show is bound to arouse curiosity because of the subject."

Amber Dhara is slated to air at 9 pm from September 24 and will replace Ek Ladki Anjaani Si. Sonu Nigam who is currently in the US recorded the show's title track Jude Hain Do Sapne, Jude Hain Do Kisse via the internet.

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/september/163887.htm