Posted:
The Times of India Online
Printed from timesofindia.indiatimes.com 'Our home is not haunted'
PRERNA SHAH
[ 15 Dec, 2006 0037hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
A television crew shooting at the palace was apparently spooked by eerie sounds.
Rumours of haunted houses are not uncommon in India. However, the erstwhile royal family of Rajpipla didn't expect their family palace to be branded as one. They were surprised therefore, when they received phone calls and SMSes from friends in Mumbai telling them that a television crew had told the media that the palace 'came alive' with an eerie rendering of ghunghroos at night!
"I was surprised, then shocked. Apparently my father had also received calls about the episode. I smell a rat here. I think it is the work of mischief mongers, especially 'competition' who are envious of our palace garnering film and television shooting teams," says the prince of Rajpipla, Manvendra Singh Gohil.
He explains, "So many yagnas and pujas have been performed in the palace. My grandmother was very particular about these. Also there has never been a death on the palace premises. So even believers cannot associate the place with ghosts. Our home is not haunted."
"Our records show that the cast and crew of a serial called Ghar Ek Sapna were with us for one week from November 1 to 7. They had booked 11 rooms. During their entire stay, they didn't complain about anything," says receptionist Gajendra Singh, who works with the palace resort.
The family is obviously miffed. "We have sent the television crew a notice and are contemplating legal action. These stories give a bad name to our hotel. How can civilised, educated, 21st century people talk about ghosts in such a manner?" questions Singh.
Ajai Sinha, creative director of the serial, on his part says, "On a personal level, I do not believe in ghosts. I am a man of scientific temperament. But I have to listen to my cast if they feel they have a problem on hand. Many of them were so frightened that they couldn't sleep at all."
Sayantani Ghosh, the lead actress of the serial, was one of those who were scared. She says: "For three consecutive nights, I heard the sound of ghunghroo going chan-chan, chan-chan. It was eerie. At first I dismissed it as a prank. But others had heard it too. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life."
But Sinha is obviously willing to make peace. He says, "I am going to the palace again to have some sessions with my writers. I found the place so peaceful and beautiful that I will recommend it to everyone I know."
prerna.shah@timesgroup.com
Printed from timesofindia.indiatimes.com 'Our home is not haunted'
PRERNA SHAH
[ 15 Dec, 2006 0037hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
A television crew shooting at the palace was apparently spooked by eerie sounds.
Rumours of haunted houses are not uncommon in India. However, the erstwhile royal family of Rajpipla didn't expect their family palace to be branded as one. They were surprised therefore, when they received phone calls and SMSes from friends in Mumbai telling them that a television crew had told the media that the palace 'came alive' with an eerie rendering of ghunghroos at night!
"I was surprised, then shocked. Apparently my father had also received calls about the episode. I smell a rat here. I think it is the work of mischief mongers, especially 'competition' who are envious of our palace garnering film and television shooting teams," says the prince of Rajpipla, Manvendra Singh Gohil.
He explains, "So many yagnas and pujas have been performed in the palace. My grandmother was very particular about these. Also there has never been a death on the palace premises. So even believers cannot associate the place with ghosts. Our home is not haunted."
"Our records show that the cast and crew of a serial called Ghar Ek Sapna were with us for one week from November 1 to 7. They had booked 11 rooms. During their entire stay, they didn't complain about anything," says receptionist Gajendra Singh, who works with the palace resort.
The family is obviously miffed. "We have sent the television crew a notice and are contemplating legal action. These stories give a bad name to our hotel. How can civilised, educated, 21st century people talk about ghosts in such a manner?" questions Singh.
Ajai Sinha, creative director of the serial, on his part says, "On a personal level, I do not believe in ghosts. I am a man of scientific temperament. But I have to listen to my cast if they feel they have a problem on hand. Many of them were so frightened that they couldn't sleep at all."
Sayantani Ghosh, the lead actress of the serial, was one of those who were scared. She says: "For three consecutive nights, I heard the sound of ghunghroo going chan-chan, chan-chan. It was eerie. At first I dismissed it as a prank. But others had heard it too. It was one of the most frightening experiences of my life."
But Sinha is obviously willing to make peace. He says, "I am going to the palace again to have some sessions with my writers. I found the place so peaceful and beautiful that I will recommend it to everyone I know."
prerna.shah@timesgroup.com
CID
