Ashish Mitra
Posted online: Friday, October 27, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Having a host of mythologicals and socially-relevant serials like Kahan Gaye Woh Log,
Unsung Heroes, Santaan, Kanyadaan, Amaanat and many others under his belt,
Dheeraj Kumar has now come out with Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan, a serial that goes to prove that there should be no iscrimination between sons and daughters. Screen visits the sets of Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan and talks to producer Dheeraj Kumar and some artistes of the serial...
For a long time you have been producing mythologicals and fantasies. How did you switch over to a social saga like ...Betiyaan?
Mythologicals represent the cultural heritage of our country, similarly socially -relevant programmes resolve the social stigmas of society. So I thought of making a social serial that would help millions of viewers to realise the importance of daughters who are definitely not inferior to sons.
Could you elaborate?
Today in every field, girls are making their mark. Take Sania Mirza, Kiran Bedi, P.T.Usha or Dr Indira Hinduja who delivered the first test-tube baby in the country and Ms Nooi, CEO, Pepsi, worldwide, who features among the top 50 ladies in the world with highest earnings. When girls have achieved such a great distinction why differentiate between boys and girls?
What kind of gender discrimination does the serial talk about?
Ghar Ki Lakshmi...Betiyaan seeks to explore the ever-persistent issue of gender discrimination in our country. The show will highlight certain myths that exist in society today.
How would you term this discrimination problem?
This problem is a sort of a National problem. Go a little away from the cities and you will find this existing in a big way. You must be knowing that this problem has grown so enormously that people scan a woman's womb while pregnant and if they happen to find a female foetus, they destroy the same. In many families, a third girl is a stigma. Many a times, without going deep into the bridegroom's family background, girls are married away at a very early age, when they are not even aware of the family system. There again the woman is the sufferer.
When do you think this problem will end?
To tell you frankly, till the system of dowry and greed is not eliminated we cannot be free of this severe problem. More such things are happening. There are people who for a want of a son have as many as six to seven daughters. All one needs is self-control and self-regulation.
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As far as the problem of 'girl stigma' goes, it persists in both rich and poor families. In fact it is more in rich families. Today when in a poor or middle-class family, a would-be-bridegroom demands a motorcycle in dowry, the girl's parents somehow manage it. In middle-class and rich families the demands increase. And the girl becomes a stigma.
Tell us about the cast and crew of your serial?
The serial written by Damini has been directed by Rajan Shahi and has Yatin Kasekar as Suryakant, Rohini Hattangadi as Gayatri, Aishwarya Narkar as Savitri, Tanushree as Kaushalya, Twinkle Bajpai as Lakshmi, Kshitij Oak as Durga, Neeta Shetty as Gauri, Bicky Ahuja as Yuvraj and Rajendra Chawla as Rasiklal.
What message do you wish to convey through this serial?
The message is very simple. With the arrival of the 21st century, we need to introspect and bring about a change of thought that girls are not inferior to boys. Love your daughters as much as you love your sons. Daughters can easily be moulded the way you want but not the sons.
Any programmes you envisage for the underprivileged girls?
Very soon we are going to arrange a mass marriage of 101 underprivileged girls, the number of which we intend to reach upto 400. We are also in the process of establishing a website: gharkilakshmibetiyaan.com through which we intend to counsel lakhs of underprivileged girls. Then, we will give awards from our end to girls who win National bravery awards.
Finally, your comment on a case lodged against you by Ms Rekha Modi.
At the outset let me tell one thing. An immature mind throws mud towards the sky little realising that it is going to fall on itself. Basically a dialogue writer, Rekha had just given an 'idea' of the serial, naturally there is no copyright on an idea or name. Whatever has been done it is by her and not by STAR and you must be aware that the Court has rejected it as 'non-maintainable.' Anyway, I have no grouse against her. I wish her all the best and hope hers will be a great show.
Rajendra Chawla (Rasiklal)
What is the scene you are shooting?
Saraswati has a silent lover but is to marry someone else on her parents' wishes. Lakshmi, sensing that Saraswati wouldn't be happy after wedlock, arranges a secret meeting of Saraswati with her silent lover. In the meantime my sister, I and Menaka happen to go to the terrace to fetch the saree when through a mirror-reflection I happen to see Saraswati in an embrace. I call upon Menaka to witness the scene and tell her to disclose everything to her husband Suryakant. But she says that she will spill the beans at an appropriate time and asks me to capture the scene on my mobile.
What is your character like?
My character is that of a scheming mama. It so happens that Suryakant's first wife had conceived six daughters and she cannot conceive again. But Suryakant, for want of a son, gets married to Menaka. I am a scheming person and once Menaka gives birth to a baby boy, I start showing my true colours. I persuade Menaka, who's got an upper hand after conceiving a boy, to impress her husband to get all the girls married so that my sister and I get hold of the household totally. Not only this, you will see many such pranks that Rasiklal plays to wreak havoc in the house.
Are you enjoying playing this wicked character?
I am playing Rasiklal according to the needs of the script. But all said and done, some times I struggle from within to utter harsh words because in real life, I have two daughters. I know the pain one has to go through hearing harsh words and being subjected to rash treatment.
Are you working with Creative Eye for the first time?
No, I have been associated with Creative Eye for a long time. In fact after my debut with the production house in Sansar, I have been featured in every serial of theirs. Even in their last mythological Om Namo Narayan I played 'Narad'. For Cinevistaas I have done serials like Junoon and Hindoostani and then I did Astitva- Ek Prem Kahani. Earlier, when I was doing stage I was associated with Nadira Babbar for six years.
Tanushree (Menaka)
Tell us of your character in the serial.
My character is a sugar-coated one but it is completely grey in nature. Before her husband and the entire family she is well-behaved but behind their backs she is both calculating and extremely manipulative and dances to her scheming brother Rasiklal's tune.
Doesn't it prick when being a woman you have to utter harsh words to your on-screen step daughters?
Of course it does. But I am just playing the character. Behind the camera, you must have noticed, we are good friends and crack jokes with each other. The girls are as good as my friends and sisters.
How do you think would the serial help people to desist from gender discrimination?
It will definitely help. My only point is: don't treat girls as throwaway items. Treat them as Lakshmi even after they go to their husbands' places. It is the daughter who will come to the parent's rescue at all times unlike a son.
Twinkle Bajpai (Lakshmi)
How did you come into the acting profession?
Basically from Kanpur, I have been a winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. I took to acting because both my friends and parents wanted me to pursue the profession. Then by chance I happened to meet Dheerajji who offered me a role in this serial. After my parents gave their nod I accepted Dheerajji's offer. All I can say is whatever I am it is because of my parents.
Your role is a rebellious one.
Yes, I was offered the role of Lakshmi, the youngest daughter because age-wise too I happen to be the youngest. Moreover I am a bit of a tomboy in real life and this role has suited me to the T. In the serial I always fighting for my mother and sisters.
Being a newcomer, are you able to perform according to the director's requirements?
The entire cast and crew is very cooperative and friendly. Yatinji who's playing my father guides me whenever I am before him, so much so he suggests which tone to adapt in for a particular shot.
What is your take on Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan?
This serial will definitely work wonders for the people at large and will definitely make an impact.
Nupur Alankar (Halki Buwa)
You are called Halki. Why so?
We are two buwas (paternal aunts), Halki and Phulki. We form the lighter part of the serious story. My character is of a dominating kind. Though I cannot conceive a baby, I find fault in my husband, Hasmukh, played by Shekhar Shukla. Incidentally, he also played my husband in Malini Iyer.Then, I and my sister love to see the mishappenings going on in the house. A mixture of light and grey roles.
Are you the same in real life? How difficult is it to play such a role?
Not at all, I am a very accommodating person. I play the character that the role demands. Though this role is not difficult to enact it demands a challenging effort.
You seem to be a seasoned actress.
Yes, that's because I am in the acting profession for sometime now.I have done Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Yeh Dil Aashiqanaa, Aaghaaz, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, Kyun Ki Main Jhooth Nahin Bolta. I have also done a Bengali film Moth that is yet unreleased. To tell you the truth, I love to act in films of various languages.
Anupamaa
