Of Marital Tiffs & Truces

ON THE SETS | SOHNI MAHIWAL

Of Marital Tiffs & Truces

Ashish Mitra
Posted online: Friday, December 08, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

Like every other married couple, Suresh Mahiwal and his wife Sohni in UTV's Sohni Mahiwal that's being currently aired on Tuesdays on DD1 at 9 pm are at loggerheads with each other. Screen visits the sets of the serial to find out what's todays argument about.

Rajesh Puri with Shweta and Varun: Teaching the tricks of the trade?

Suresh, working in an insurance company earns a meagre salary and is somehow able to make both ends meet.He is a boss-fearing man who puts on his tie and picks up his tiffin as he rushes to his workplace. Sohni, a girl from a small town, is flabbergasted on coming to the city and wants to have a lifestyle similar to their neighbours . For instance, she wants a washing machine; she wants atleast a scooter just like her neighbours. Her attempts at upgrading their lifestyle boomerangs usually putting the couple two steps backward. The serial sorts out such problems in a humourous manner every week. Each episode has a new tale in the life of the vibrant couple. The scene that is being shot for the day shows Sohni relating her desire to participate in a musical show as a singer, so much so that she has even hired a trainer. Suresh is a little doubtful about his wife's singing capacity but he relents. An excited Sohni tells Suresh that she would perform for him along with the dress she would wear for the function. While Sohni goes in to change, Suresh goes day-dreaming in which he sees Sohni dressed as Umrao Jaan regalling the audience at the show. His dream is suddenly interrupted when Sohni calls out to him. Not only is Sohni in a shabby dress but her singing reminds him of a bray of a donkey. Suresh tries hard to forbid Sohni from participating in the show but Sohni is adamant. It is time for a break while some equipment has to be moved. During this brief interval we catch up director Rajesh Puri, Varun Badola and Shweta Kawatra for a brief interview. Rajesh Puri, Director
What happens next in the day's shoot?
Sohni participates in the show but is unsuccessful. She is then reminded of what Suresh had told her and also realises how much he loves her. Finally they patch up and make a happy ending.

You had earlier directed a serial.

Varun Badola and Shweta Kawatra: Friends come together!Yes, that was my own serial Mr Funtoosh in which I played a Chaplinesque character. But this is the first outside serial that I am directing.

How did this one come to you?
(smiles) The writer of Mr Funtoosh, Rajesh Beri happens to be a good friend of mine and he put in a word to UTV who were toying with the idea of making this serial. Thanks to Ronnie Screwwala asked me to take up direction. This being a comedy, how did you find Varun and Shweta?
To start with I was hired for the job because I was an actor first and director next. They wanted an actor-director who could extract the right performance. Talking about Varun and Shweta, I can only say that they are performing well and are following my instructions as if they were my pupils. How's Sohni Mahiwal faring?
What can I say about the serial's popularity except that it is currently commanding a TRP of over 6. We are packaging the show in such a way that more and more people are glued to it and its TRP rises. From a blue-eyed star in the Hum Log days, how do you look at life today?
(laughs) I am very happy. Do you know that I am 200 serials, 150 films and 200 plays old. What more can an artiste who has given more than 5000 stage performances ask for. I am taking things as they come. I endorse the old saying that 'time is the biggest healer'. Finally, what do you have to say about Doordarshan?
Everyone kows that Doordarshan has a far wider and deeper reach in the country. This will give me a good platform to get a wide exposure. Varun Badola, Actor
Tell us something about Sohni Mahiwal?
Well, this is an episodic serial dealing with the ups and downs a married couple faces. When a small town woman interacts with people in big cities, naturally across hurdles. How the couple copes up with rising problems forms the crux of the serial. How's it to play comedy that you have never done before?
It's great. Thanks also to Rajeshji who is guiding us at every juncture. Which type of roles are you comfortable with?
I have always made it a point never to repeat myself. That's why I have played a variety of roles. In Yeh Hai Mumbai Mere Jaan I played a simpleton whereas in Desh Mein... I had a suave and dashing role. I am always on the lookout for a role which challenges the actor in me. And this one is also a challenge of sorts it being a comedy. Viewers remember Varun Badola for his stellar performances in shows like Astitva - Ek Prem Kahanii, Koshish Ek Asha, Rabba Ishq Na Hove and Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand. What other serials are you doing?
You will soon see me in yet another interesting role in Star Plus's new show, Aek Chabhi Hai Padoss Mein in which I play a boy-next-door who is an orphan brought up by the local pandit Shuklaji, being played by V.M Badola. How does it feel to be sharing screen space with your dad?
It's a matter of great pride to act with someone who was considered as one of the important names in Delhi's theatre circuit in the sixties and seventies. The fact that he is also my father is like icing on the cake. Which among the various shows you have done over the years would you rate your best?
A tough question. But still I would say the first half of Koshish and the second half of Astitva were something I really loved doing as an actor. My character in Koshish was really challenging for it was not easy to play a mentally deranged person. Shweta Kawatra, Actress
Tell us about Sohni's character?
She is a nice and nauve, a fightercock. Sometimes she is dominating while sometimes she is dominated by her husband. Her character is what they call in Delhi language- a jhalli. How were you able to manage both Nach Baliye and Sohni Mahiwal?
Well with Sohni Mahiwal I had no problem since the beginning as it was a weekly show. You won't believe that for Nach Baliye, I practised for as much as nine hours a day. With Nach Baliye we (Manav and I) have grown a lot.In fact we had never thought of going beyond the third round. Any regret over the way you got disqualified from the show?
None whatsoever! Going blank on stage is a normal phenomenon and even big stars experience this problem, so it is okay, these things happen. The only reason we joined Nach Baliye was for a different kind of experience and at the end of the day I am satisfied though a little sorry. Since both of you are actors, do you talk work at home too?
No we make it a point not to talk about work at home. When we are home we try to spend quality time with each other. I think it is important to ensure that work does not overburden the relationship. You're anchoring Current Bollywood on MAX?
Yes, that's something I really enjoy doing! It's a very interesting concept, very filmi, so definitely the kind of stuff that everyone would like to watch and know about.I'd always wanted to make it look really sporty. So as an anchor, will we get to see the real Shweta?
(laughs) Yes! The real me! Like I am. Chirpy, friendly, fun-loving, without any hang-ups at all? (smiles, then gets reflective and says) You know, actually, being like that has its disadvantages too. People take me for granted all the time!

tfs 😊..wish i cud see it in US...shweta, hope to see u rock with manav in NB finals 😃