Posted:
| KUMKUM |
Posted online: Friday, April 14, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Years go by, times change but characters don't. Yes, their responsibilities increase, for their families have grown and along with it their relationships too. Something similar is happening in the serial Kumkum which now takes a generation leap of 20 years. On the first day of the shoot of the new Kumkum we visit the set. A hawan is in progress and the priest is murmuring some mantras. The entire unit (all the new entrants in the serial) are present for the pooja. In the backgrounf the set designer is giving final touches to the set. After a formal aarti the entire unit comes out to have a press interaction. Excerpts:
How has the viewer's response to Kumkum been?
Kumkum is so adorable that many have complimented me for being the 'ideal' woman, who is caring, loving and one who stands by her family no matter what.In fact, a lady who lives in the US, came to visit the sets and said that Kumkum is the only show she watches for the values it preaches. To her Kumkum was like a dream daughter-in-law, who is so difficult to find in real life. She hoped that all new brides would be like Kumkum! In another incident, I met this really old lady who is a regular viewer of Kumkum. She caught hold of my hand and started to weep and all that she said was that Kumkum is perfect and has no flaws. Do you have any complains of Kumkum being an afternoon show?
Initially, I had my doubts too, I thought it would be seen by only women, but as the show became popular, many male viewers said they reliously watch the serial at work or during lunch-breaks. Many even said that they come back home early to catch up with the repeat telecast. So I think the content is most important - if the story and portrayal is good then people will watch it no matter which time slot the show is on. Also, for us it is a challenge to be a dopahar show and have TRPs equal or high ratings as that of the primetime shows and Kumkum has done that so many times. We are proud of the fact and the same gives us a bigger high. Gaurav Khanna
What is the character you are essaying?
Well I play Sharman, Sumit and Kumkum's youngest son. He is very proud of his 'Wadhwa' legacy and always uses his family name for his personal profit.He is also streetsmart and can get things done. Sharman,the most mischievous of the lot, is always compared to his elder brother Dhruv but never broods. He shares a very special bond with Kumkum and also with Siya, to whom he will later get married. Have you done any serials before? And what are your hopes from the serial?
Apart from Ads and TV commercials I have done two serials, Siddhanth and Bhabhi.I am confident of doing a commendable job.
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Tell us about your character Dhruv, the elder son of Kumkum.
Dhruv is the son of Jatin and Kumkum but has grown up with Sumit since he was a kid. Since the last four years Dhruv has been living in America and everyone in the house thinks that once he comes back they will get him married to Siya. From a long time, he has been in love with Antarra but to honour his father's promise he does not oppose him and decides to sacrifice his love to obey his father. But when Kumkum comes to know about everything she stops the engagement and gets him married to his love... Could you name the other serials you have done?
Besides Kumkum, I have done four serials namely Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kehna Hai Kuch Mujhko, Time Bomb and Kahani Shuru With Love Guru. Chaahat Khanna
You have done 7 1/2 Phere. Are you doing any more films?
No, right now I am acting in TV serials and I have serials like Hero, Don, Shakalaka Boom Boom, Kitty Party, Hello Dollie and Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeeqat. Tell us something about your role.
I play Aashka, Sharman's twin sister, but I am completely opposite to him. She is the one who settles all the problems that Sharman creates. Her character is one that keeps everyone happy, and if two people quarrel she plays a mediator.As the youngest daughter of the family she shares a good relationship with both her brothers and is loved by everyone. What are your hopes from Kumkum?
The role is of a complex nature but I am confident of putting things across with my ability to portray any role satisfactorily. Karishma Mehta
Would you elaborate on Siya's character?
Siya is Sumit's best friend Aditya Grewal's only daughter. She is a replica of Kumkum and will later become a part of the Wadhwa family once she marries Dhruv. There are twists that later result in her becoming a member of the Wadhwa hosehold. Could you tell something about yourself?
I have six Telugu films to my credit as the main lead and have earlier done a serial Yahi To Hai Woh. Would you be able to do justice to Siya's character?
I am confident and with six commercial films under my belt I am amply sure. Sayantani Ghosh
How did you bag this role given the fact that you are from Kolkata?
(Giggles) I had come on a casual visit to Mumbai. Having done three Bengali films in the main lead, I wanted a wider, more national exposure. In this quest I went to BAG Films. After looking at my portfolio, they signed me for Aantara's role. Tell us about your role.
Well, Antara is the girl Dhruv loves. She has a father with whom she doesn't live because of some indifferences. She has never seen a joint family and is unsure whether she would be able to adjust to it. But once she sees the Wadhwa family her perception changes dramatically.Though there are some problems in the beginning she eventually gets married to Dhruv and goes with him to a village where she takes up a job of a school teacher. How confident are you of doing justice to the role?
I am extremely confident. My quest for a national recognition will definitely bring out the best in me. Pix and text by Ashish Mitra Anuradha Prasad CEO, BAG Films
Finally, you have also succumbed to the concept of a generation leap in your serial...
Kumkum has been on air for the last three-and-half-years and we thought it was time to bring in new elements into the drama. Kumkum is the brand leader in the afternoon slot and one needed to refurbish and redecorate the plot. In consultation with the channel, we decided to introduce five new characters to the show. However, the story will essentially remain about Kumkum and Sumeet. So far, you have seen their young love story now you will watch their mature romance. Are Kumkum and Sumeet ready to grey?
Nowadays nobody likes to grey even in real life. So, why should actors onscreen do it. Yet there will be a few minor changes. Kumkum will sport a different hairstyle. Her straight hair will now become curly. She will wear Kota and silk sarees with borders in place of chiffons and her blouses which were sleeveless earlier will be long-sleeved. Are you revamping the sets also?
Yes. Since young characters are being introduced, there is room for brighter colours. We are creating an ambience in tune with the hip and happening youngsters. We are changing the entire packaging. Sonu Nigam sings the title track now. Of the five new characters, who do you think will catch the viewer's eye?
I think Sumeet's son Sharmaan and Sia who fall in love with each other will be popular. You have recently introduced a new show Kaun Hai on STAR News. What is it about?
Kaun Hai is based on real spooky stories. It is about revisiting houses and places that are known to be haunted. Our crew goes to the so-called haunted abode, interviews people staying in and around the place. They spend 3-4 days in the spooky settings. So far, our crew hasn't found any extraordinary happenings in the place they have visited. However, the entire sequence including the horror is recreated for the drama. The idea is to inform the viewers that scientifically there is nothing to prove that the place is haunted. Wouldn't this show have suited the profile of an entertainment channel more?
These days the gap between news and entertainment is getting narrower. News is no longer a man's domain. Women and children are watching it as well. Everything depends on how you pitch a programme and how you authenticate it. So far, the idea of news was relegated to politics, business and sports. Frankly, all the news channels feature this. There has to be a differentiator which is what we are providing. At 11.30 pm nobody is interested in knowing what the Prime Minister or President wants to say or do. That's the time when people want to be entertained and these kind of shows fit in that gap. That's the reason why our other show Sansani based on real crimes and aired on STAR news is also very popular. So much so that, in case a crime is committed, people in some States end up calling the police and the Sansani team for help. At times, the Sansani team is the first to be notified! That shows its acceptance and popularity. Are you planning any more new shows this year?
Yes, there are two shows which are being planned in this quarter. One is a family drama for a general entertainment channel and the other will be aired on a news channel. We are readying for the release of our first Punjabi film Mannat starring Jimmy Sheirgill and Kulraj Kaur and the Hindi Rockin directed by Tanuja Chandra starring Sushmita Sen and Shiney Ahuja. Chaya Unnikrishnan Rajesh Joshi
Writer Why is a change being affected in Kumkum with the induction of new characters?
(Smiles) There are changes that are bound to happen in ones life. And with such change feelings also alter with age. Kumkum, who was till now shown to be an ideal wife and daughter-in-law (till episode no.780) will now be shown to have more responsibilities as a mother, a would-be mother-in-law etc. And with her character change, the character of her husband Sumit will also become multi-dimensional with the growing responsibilities around. Could you elaborate?
It's simple. Today you are 60 and one day you will be 75. Your character will remain the same, but in those years circumstances must have changed and so would have the problems. There would have been conflicts. All this must have given a different shade to your character. This is what I, as a writer, will strive to project in blending the old characters with the new. The new Kumkum among other things will show that the two vital characters Sumit and Kumkum, even after going through many ups and downs are still attached to each other.These days, it is not the story but the account of the journey each character takes that makes a serial engrossing. What in short will be the message the new Kumkum will send across?
Firstly, it will show the value of bonding. Relationships do not change by themselves, but are made to change. A family can be happy till there is a sense of unity among family members. The most vital message the serial will send is that in these days of broken families, joint families still exist. You have taken over from the previous writers Mahesh Pande and Farhan. How has the transition been?
It's true that I am entering the serial from episode no.781 and am proud to state that the transition has taken place in absolute harmony. What are the earlier serials for which you have written?
I'm comparitively old in this trade having written for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasauti Zindagi Kay, Kkusum, Koi Apna Sa, Koshish Ek Asha, Saarthi and Saath Rahega Always.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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