| | | | Abhimanyu (Varun Badola) and Simran (Nikki Aneja Walia) in Astitva — Ek Prem Kahaani | Even before it is curtains for his Zee show, Astitva — Ek Prem Kahaani, producer-director Ajai Sinha has begun work on his next project. "There is no respite for me," he says. "It has always been like this. One show ends and I am headlong into the next."
Sinha has always stuck steadfastly to Zee, and the new soap will also air on the same channel. "It's not that I only want to work for Zee. But it so happens that as soon as one serial wraps up, there is an offer from them for another. So there is no time left to approach others. Also, I have been with them for a long time, there is a comfort factor." Family drama
Sinha describes the new soap, penned by him, "as a large canvas family drama with plenty of main characters."
As in Sinha's earlier soaps, Hasratein and Justajoo, the women characters will be etched with great care. He has not yet finalised a title. "I am in consultation with the channel. In the next few weeks, all details will be clearer and I will begin casting soon," informs Sinha, who is looking at known faces as well as newcomers.
At the moment, he is providing final touches to the script. His wife, Sangeeta, is also involved in his shows. Known for the mature sensibilities of his dramas, the new offering will provide yet another dimension. "It will provide all that and there will be two main characters," he informs.
Bye bye Nikki
Sinha has already shot the last episode of Astitva, which ends this Friday. "We canned the last episode on January 6, at Bageecha restaurant in Malad. "Immediately after the last shot, I had to rush to New Delhi.
So I was not present for the farewell. But the rest of my production teams was there. There was a lot of crying on the sets, as the cast and crew bid adieu to the show," informs Sinha. More than three years on, Astitva ends after 668 episodes. "It is not that we suddenly decided to end it. The story had its run; it just could not go on."
The finale episode will have Nikki and Abhimnayu penning their story, which will be the plot of Astitva from day one. "The show ends with their book, Astitva — Ek Prem Kahaani, being released," says Sinha. Anchui not happening
In 2004, Sinha had launched a talent hunt for a new show titled Anchui, which he had planned for Zee. This tale revolved around two sisters.
"I am not doing Anchui at present. There are several soaps about sisters and their dilemmas on air. I have kept it on hold for now." Astitva will be replaced by the Balaji show, Kasamh Se — a tale of three sisters — from January 16.
shaheen@mid-day.com |
| Ajai Sinha's film front
Sinha will soon direct a film, to be produced by Prakash Jha Productions. Described as a romantic comedy, it will be a crossover film with two foreigners in the cast.
Sinha made his debut as director with the youth-centric film, Stop! (starring Gauri Karnik, Ishitaa Arun, Tejaswani Kolhapure and Rocky Bhatia) in 2004.
He has also directed another youth flick, Bachelors (with Sharman Joshi, Riya and Raima Sen), which is lying forgotten in the cans. "I have no clue when Bachelors will see light of day," he confesses. | |
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