^~Harshad Chopda FC^~Curtain Raiser (pg 95-SPA)

"CURTAIN RAISER"

Hey Friends,
Welcome to FC NO. 40(!) of Harshad Chopda (Only 10 away from our golden Jubilee😃😛...Cheers!!⭐️) This FC is intended to throw light on the man behind Prem Juneja, hence named it as the "Curtain Raiser". If you are a Harshad Chopda fan, if you really are one, there is NO WAY this aspect of his personality should go untouched by your naked eyes and ears.

Yes, this FC will be a feature on his SBS appearances (March and April 2009) in which we get to see the REAL HIM! All full of Life!! Prem Juneja is only a figment of someone's imagination, fiction but its Harshad who matters at the end of the day.The way he lights up the sets and the kind of masti he indulges in in the process, is something which is to be seen to be believed. So yes behind that humble, modest, polite, no nonsense avatar of Harsh, there also exists a lighter side of him, one that is full of fun frolic, light bantering, teasing and smiles.

Link :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEW2IqDeLcM

Background:

SBS on the sets of Desh on the eve of the completion of first anniversary of Kis Desh. Harshad was interviewed and he spoke about his favourite moments in the show, his favourite moments in the past one year and about the character itself.

Scene on Shot:

The Airport Scene and the Cliff Scene, when Heer asks Gaurav to enter the Juneja House as Prem.

Video Feature and Quote:

SBS interviews Harshad and asks him a couple of questions.

On Memorable moments in the past 1 year: "Ek scene tha humara, round trolley which was like 11 minute scene, continuously - ONE SHOT! (I wanna know soo bad which scene was this) and I think us mein main jitna acha laga hoon, jo meri performance ayi hai uss mein, jo mein ney bola hai, utna acha mein ney aaj tak kaam nahi kia hai. I think THAT was one of the best scenes...aur buhat saarey scenes!! Itney saaarey scenes hain humarey...romance key jo mujhey achey lagtey hain!! Normally mujhey apna KHUD ka kaam pasan nahi ata...aur agar ek particular moment bologey jo mujhey yaad raheyga pichley poorey saal mein toh woh tha 17th of May, SPA, mein ney apni zindagi key pehley dou awards jeetey aur woh mera birthday bhi tha....it was one of the BEST DAYS I will EVER live in my life..."

On why these off-screen moments should be shown: "As a character, hum logon key paas adha ghanta hota hai, ek din mein. Uss mein hum ek character ko dikhatey hain, but woh personally jo interaction ata hai, jo humari audience ko humein janna hota hai, Harshad Chopda as Harshad Chopda kaisa hai...as Akshat dekha huwa hai, as Prem dekha huwa hai, as Ali dekha huwa hai, as Karan dekha huwa hai. Toh woh jaisi hi CUT hota hai, aur woh saari mastiyan scene ki...sets ki mastiyan hogayi...idhar beth key baat karrey hain, udhar beth key baat karrey hain...jo humarey different waley personal personal stories hotey hain...woh sab, I think buhat acha rehta hai...I think audience ko bhi maza ata hoga aur hum ko bhi lagta hai...theek hai apart from the character we have a life. We have a name!"

This video was comparatively low on the masti quotient (probably b/c he was tired?). Nonetheless, Desh is home to some of the finest performances by him and also on Indian TV, that one may come across. It comes as no surprise, that Harsh was compelled to like his scenes. Here is wishing him 100 more 17th Mays and twice as many awards - Inshalllah.
-

Date: 9th March, 2009

Link :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvC8l5cc_ts&fmt=18

Background:

It's Holi and SBS goes to the sets of Desh to see what's cooking up. How are Prem-Heer celebrating Holi and ended up taking a lot of random shots on the sets.

Song:

aaj na chodengey hum khalengey hum holi

Feature and Quote:

This video depicts the off-screen masti that Harsh indulges in ,more than a one-on-one interview with him. There was a very small segment in which he asks Heer

Prem to Heer: "ye Heer ki pehli Holi hai toh aap ussey kaisey celebrate karengi"
Heer responds by saying, that they don't intend to play Holi as such this time round. There are a lot of tensions at home, Kiran jiju is in jail and everyone is busy sorting the case out.
Harsh pulls her legs and resonates "Acha matlab logon ko yeh dikhana hai ki hum log khush nahi hai, lekin andar se kush hai serial mein - aisa hai?" 😆

Off-screen catches:

This video is ALL about off-screen catches. There are umpteen of them and all so cute cum funny.

Date: 17th March 2009

Background:

On the sets of Desh, and this time it is SBB that stalks him. This one revolves around the entire Gaurav and Prem funda that had gripped Kis desh during those days.

On shot scene:

Heer is on her bhashaning spree to Gaurav as he retorts back to her in style. This one followed the Kiran jiju court case hearing.

Background song:

Ek Hasina thi😕

Feature and Harsh Quoted:

SBB interviews Harshad and Additi and apparently asks them the reason behind this sudden upsurge of disagreements between Prem and Heer. I believe, their curiorisity followed the scene that was being shot, in which Prem-Heer (the one couple that has never fought) are shown spewing venom at each other. So, there SBB quizzes them and here is what Harsh had to say

"Basically, iski aadat hai...koi aur kaam nahi hai isse. Har waqt meray peechey padhh jati hai - tum paisey key liye ye kartey hou, tum paisey key liye woh kartey hou, tum paisey key liye aisey hou, tum paisey key liye waisey hou. Mujhey bhi ab aisa lagta hai ki kitna justify karega aaadmi? ACHA theek Hai Bhaiya, HOON AISA...TOH?"😆

It's Additi's turn next and she is interviewed..She points at him and says..."Harkaton sey ye lag ra hai na Gaurav hai? Prem aisi harkatein nahi karta tha na...kitna seedha aur chup chap tha." Harsh is having a ball as she says this and you can see the way he is twisting his face...It's when Additi is asked to choose between Prem and Gaurav, she chooses Prem. Harsh intervenes and says "Kyunki Gaurav band bajakey chala jata hai na"😆😆

The mic goes in Harsh's hands and its his turn to grill Additi. He throws an acer her way. He asks: "Heer ye jo aaap ki shaadi hui hai, ye kis sey hui hai: Prem Juneja sey, Rishab Rampal sey, ya Gaurav Sharma sey? Please answer...(Million Dollar Question I tell you!!)"😆 Additi replies back and says Gaurav.

Off-Screen Catches:

Date : 24th March

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlI44GaBr-E&fmt=18

Background:

SBS at the Film city sets of Desh....A very light fun filled video as Harsh (Prem) directs Additi (Heer) and keeps pulling her legs as she is asked to cook by him.😆

Background song:

My Desi Girl 🤣

Scene on Shot:

Heer coaxes and irritates Prem as she asks him to tie the doori of her dress.

Video Feature and Quotes:

This has to be one of the best sbs features ever. The clipping began with random camera shots of what was going on the sets that day and the commentator saying how love compells one to do just anything and here in Heer's case, takes her to the kitchen to cook pooriyan.

Harsh and Additi are sitting on the stairs of the Juneja House (I think the one that leads you to the outhouse, correct me if I am wrong)...Begins with

Harsh (mic in his hands) - Kehtey hain pyaar mein buhat pappad bailney padtey hain. Mein chahta hoon ki aap humarey pyaaar mein poooriyan bailein aur thodi si jalebiyan bhi banaye...mein dekhna chahta hoon, aap ko khana wana banana ata hai key nahi...ghar ki dekh bhaal kar paengi key nahi...ISS key baad hum decide karenge...(additi cuts in here)

Additi - ek shart pey...mein jo banaaongi tumhein khana padey ga.

Harsh - PAGAL HOGAYA hoon KIA MAIN 😆

He takes her in front of the stand where the utensils and the burner were placed.

Harsh commands - chalo aajaao shuru hojao...😆

and so while Additi keeps cooking, Harsh gives us a running commentary over Heer's cooking fiasco. He is shown seated beside her with the mic in his hand, prodding and constantly nagging while she cooks.😆

As Heer makes the pooriyaan,

Harsh goes - "bailo bailo...yes yes thats ROUND (as he makes fun of the round shape😆)...gol rotiyaan ko new definition!!!...koi katori laa key dou...kaat key round karegi issko..." and once its done and she shows it, he goes "SEEEEEE! OVAL ROUND!" 😆

Next, Heer places the poori in the frying pot...and it wouldnt rise...

Harsh - "saari ki saari poori toh khud hi phoool rahi hai, is ney kia kya hai iss mein...huhahaaaa...aaj saari asliyaat saamney aari hai naa...saarey pole khul rahey haaaaan...aaj aya naa unth pahaad key neechey...very GOOD."😆

After the pooris were done he asks her to make jalebiyaan...Heer tries to make him eat them...and he jerks his face..
saying : "NO NO NAA...HURRRR..." It was funny, the way she kept bringing the poori to his mouth and he kept tilting his head away...😆

In the midst of all this masti, you hear a fire cracker...

Harsh screams "heeee aaaaag laag gayi!!"

Cut to the next round of masti, and they show Harsh standing in Purple Blazer (the one he wore to Harman's party) outside the Juneja House..and grilling Heer.

Harsh to Heer : Question Question Ghar mein jab Tu khana banati hogi toh cock roach, chipkaliyan, chuhey, choozey toh bachtey hi nahi hongey...(he counts them on his finger tips)"

Heer : KYUN

Harsh : Galti sey teray khaaney pey mun maartey hongey toh mar jaatey hongey na 🤣

Heer is next ordered to make tea by him. She asks him to go "finger on your lips"...

Harsh obliges but adds..."Finger on my lips but i can still talk like this😆...chalo chai baano"...He begins his running commentary again...as she makes tea and in the midst of this the tea boils and spills all over the stove. Heer tries to stop the mess by quickly turning of the burner and

Harsh says "This is how aap chai ko girney sey bachatey hain."

Once she was done pouring tea out in the saucers, they go to serve their costars on the sets. First they go to Kiran jiju and he blatantly refuses😲😆...Harsh says "Koi Chahkney ko bhi tayyar nahi hai" Next was Lallu, and even he refused.

Harsh goes "Dekh lou loag Additi ki banayi huwi chaye sey kitna dartey hain"...😆

And this was followed by SBS showing a glimpse into the episode that day -The doori tying scene was compared to the Baghban scene of Amitabh and Hema Malini.

Off- Screen catches :

• Harsh running away from Additi as she tries to make him eat her pooriyan.
• When he screams 'aaag aaag!!!', SBS repeated the clipping atleast twice.

Date : 25th March

Link :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hHQiXy9G2E

Background :

SBB at the Sankraman studios. This feature was based on the THEN current track and Prem's dilemma with respect to Heer's sudden change of behavior with him.

Background song:

Bairi Piyaa bada re be dardi...😕They changed it to Tujh mein Rab dikhta hai later.

On shot scene :

The Pagdi tying scene. Heer ties the pagdi for Prem as she now knows that this person is Prem only and he never knew how to tie one.

Video Feature and Quotes:

They basically show the entire scene that was being shot then and speculate over why Heer is acting the way she is then and why is Gaurav/Prem so miffed. Harsh was shown sitting on a chair/sofa and later standing with the Juneja brothers.

Harsh is questioned over the track and he elaborates: "Bhayi mera bhi yehi confusion hai...mujhey ghussa aaraa hai...aajeeb sa uss scene mein iss liye lag ra hai key woh MUJH SEY, meray sey...Gaurav sey...Prem ki tarah kyun behave karri hai."

Off screen catches:

APRIL 2009

Date : 2nd April 2009

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlRQJ1zBcII

Scene :

Most of them were waiting for the next shot and from the clothes, it was the one in which Preet refuses to go to Harman's wedding and Prem convinces him. Family scene that is.

Video Feature:

The cameras catch Harsh on his cell-phone as he sat comfortably on his sofa, deeply engrossed into it. The rest of the cast is shown playing catch catch with candles.😆 In the midst of this, Harsh is caught setting his hair on the mirror alongside Preet. He imitates a Shahrukh khan dance step just for the fun of it 😆as Vaishali (Meher) looks on and laughs. I think it was the (Love mera hit hit song ka first step). He is seen strangling Preet and clutching his neck as they both try to to tumble each other down on the floor.🤣 Eventually Heer catches the SBS cameras and shoos them away.

Date: 2nd April 2009

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAlvIUnIWew

Background:

Sankraman studios. This one was an insight into the current scene that was being shot. Harsh was interviewed and so were a couple of his co- stars.

Scene on Shot:

The one where Prem hands over the keys of the house to Maya.

Video Feature and Quote:

They show the shooting of the scene and the dialogues delivered by Prem when he tells Maya how lucky she is to have married the guy she loved. Some random shots from the sets were taken while the narrator on the background wonders why Prem handed over the keys to Maya from Heer (SBB got it wrong though, he didn't hand over the reigns of the house to Maya from Heer, he just gave her the keys implying that the doors of their house would always be open for the duo).

Harsh is inquired over this move by Prem and he says: "Saari responsibilities nikaaal key kisi aur ko dey di hain na, toh woh CHILL maarr rahi hai abhi."😆

The interviewers then ask him, he barely knew Maya and if he had weighed the pros and cons of this step to which Harsh reciprocates "Maya pey shaq sey ziadah Harman pey vishwaas hai mujhey. Toh I am sure, Harman will take care of it..."

Off-screen catches:

Date: 8th April, 2009

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGC3rXxohA8

Background:

At the Sankraman studios. It's SBB again and this feature is on the cranky atmosphere on the sets that day. From the looks of it, tempers were really hot...and SBB caught all of it.

Background song:

Soney Dou Soney Dou (Absurd I tell you guys😕) and later, Neend Churayi Meri Kis Ney O sanam...😕...

Scene on Shot:

Harman-Maya wedding sequence.

Video Feature and Quote:

They show, Harshad sitting on the sofa while the narrator speaks of how he was tired and dozing away. BTW, I think he was looking down and wasn't really sleeping while sitting, but doing something with his cell phone. He did look really exhausted though and that was what SBB was implying. The other co-stars, G-mom and Lallu are shown throwing a fit on the sets. Later, he was even asked the reason behind the irritated atmosphere on the sets and he said:
"Maybe ye iss set ki baat hogi but jo humara film city wala set hai...jo basically humara ghar hai, woh kafi fresh hai, energetic hai...kafi positive hai."

Off-screen catches :

• Harsh sitting on the mandap with Maya but engrossed in his cell-phone.
• Harsh sitting on the sofa, dozing away and totally into his cell phone once again.

https://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=12&contentid=2008091720080917031502282d85bafd8

(Harshad as Prem in ''Kis Desh Main Hai Meraa Dil''..Mumbai Mirror..12th March 2008)

(Harshad as Prem on TB..12TH March)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=841791&T PN=130

(Old article from filmwalaexp.com

(Showtime article..Harshad's name)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=353517&T PN=1