New pictures Ashish Sharma Prithvi Vallabh - Page 9

By Urmimala Banerjee | Published:Mon, January 22, 2018 5:20pm

Check out our review of Prithvi Vallabh

After Porus, Sony TV unveiled its second magnum opus, Prithvi Vallabh Itihaas Bhi Rahasya Bhi on Saturday. The show is based on the period when gunpowder was first introduced in battle in India. It is set in the Malwa Plateau, which encompasses parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The show is about a prince, Prithvi Vallabh who is a great warrior and a poet. His biggest adversary is princess Mrinalvati who wants to avenge the death of her parents at the hands of Prithvi's father. She decides to use gunpowder and capture Malwa on the occasion of Holi. Mrinal is assisted by her brother, Tailap whose wife secretly detests Mrinal's authority over them. (Also Read: Sonarika Bhadoria and Ashish Sharma's Prithvi Vallabh will remind you of Baahubali, Gladiator, Spartacus; view EXCLUSIVE pics!)

What's hot?

Unlike many other historical shows, characters in Prithvi Vallabh do not come across as they are in a costume drama. The emotions are very raw. The most layered character is definitely that of Mrinal. She is a protective sister, a warrior princess and a strategist. And it is even more endearing to see how Vilasvati (Ashnoor Kaur) idolises Mrinal's character on the show. We get glimpses of the kinder side of Prithvi's persona but the love-hate game will begin soon. Sonarika Bhadoria looks every inch a warrior princess and has the screen presence for such a commanding character. She is first rate in the scenes where she is shown as the decision-maker. To his credit, Ashish Sharma does not make the wavy haired poetic prince look funny. The sets are also opulent and VFX looks pretty decent so far. (Also Read: Prithvi Vallabh; Itihaas Bhi Rahasya Bhi promo: Ashish Sharma and Sonarika Bhadoria team up for this fantasy tale of love and ambition)

What's not?

The first few lines spoken at the start of the show were heavy-duty Hindi and were tough to understand. We guess someone informed the writers and the language has become a lot simpler in the preceding scenes. There is little to dislike about the show. While some may argue that Sonarika is wearing too much makeup for an ancient princess, it is a minor glitch.

Verdict

Besides the extravagant setup and scale, Prithvi Vallabh seems to be a show with a great mix of emotions from love to greed and jealousy. We are just waiting to see the chemistry of the lead pair. Sonarika has made a comeback after a long time and she has surely left an impact. And Ashish is good as always. If you love epic tales on the lines of Troy or Spartacus, this one may be a good option.

January 23, 2018

Ashish Sharma as Prithvi Vallabh.

Actor Ashish Sharma has portrayed various shades on screen. Be it the brooding guy in Rangrasiya, the soft-spoken Ram in Siya Ke Ram or playing an art lover in Prithvi Vallabh. The show has premiered this weekend, and Ashish is back on TV after a gap of more than one year.

In an exclusive chat with India Today Online, the fifth sexiest Asian man talks about his new show Prithvi Vallabh and how he prepared for the role. According to the actor, working in the magnum opus was a creatively satisfying experience.

Excerpts:

You're back on TV after more than a year. What kept you busy all these days?

I have been working on Prithvi Vallabh for a year and a half now. That's what kept me busy. We finished Siya Ke Ram in September and have been working on the show since December. It has taken around a year-and-a-half to create this show.

How have you prepared to play Prithvi Vallabh?

Preparing for Prithvi Vallabh was a little easier, as I could relate to it. He is a poet, he is a sufi, he sings, dances, believes in love, compassion, art...culture. So, I think it was easier for me. But, the physical bit was tough and that took me a lot of time. As, we specifically wanted to get a very Indian physique. It was Pathak sir's (Aniruddh Pathak) vision that he wanted to present an Indian hero for global audience. Till now we have only seen western heroes who are globally accepted. He wanted him to look very desi so I had to work on those aspects. I worked extensively on my physicality so that I look very much like a desi pehelwan. For which I had to bulk up a lot, eat a lot and alter my workout regime. It took me three to four months to achieve that.

You've nearly completed the shooting of the first season. How has the experience been?

For the first time SET originals in India is trying to bring this whole concept of a pre-shot series. Yes, we have shot the first season completely. Shooting for the show was fun because we shot keeping only the content in mind. Nothing else was the deciding factor. We only wanted to create things. We were not making things. There is a huge difference between the two. In television we have to depend on a lot of things, there are deliveries and a lot of other aspects like ratings, so we have to be on our toes all the time. But, here we could keep in mind every minute detail. It was creatively very satisfying.

What's the difference between Siya Ke Ram's Ram and Prithvi Vallabh?

There are a lot of differences. Prithvi is very flamboyant. He is a poet and even arrogant at times. Ram was never arrogant. He was always nice. Ram had a moral value of doing things in a certain way. He was 'Maryada Purshottam'. Prithvi on the other hand can break maryada if need be. At times he is like Krishna, as he is rannchhor...he manipulates things also. He plays politics, which Ram never did. So there is a huge difference in both of them.

You've shared a couple of your poems on Instagram and even Prithvi is a poet. It must have been easy to get into the character. What got you interested in writing?

That is what intrigued me initially about (playing) this character because he is pretty much like me in real life. It became easier for me to portray Prithvi, at least this aspect. There are a lot of other aspects which will unfold with time. This particular aspect where he loves poems and art and is interested in creating little things, that is where I could relate to him.

As far as poems are concerned, I really don't know how I got inspired. I have been scribbling since I was a child and slowly that hobby developed. And, lately I have started compiling my things and trying to keep a record of what I am writing.

After Siya Ke Ram, you will be playing Prithvi Vallabh. Aren't you scared of being typecast?

I don't think so. I have a span of career where I have done various kinds of roles. Before Ram there was Rangrasiya, there was Rab Se Sona and Gunahon Ka Devta. Right now, I think this was more interesting from all the things that I was being offered. I am not scared of being typecast. They are very sensible makers, they know the potential of the actor and they know how they need to tap into. I am pretty much okay with it.

How different was it to work for a pre-shot show?

The major difference is that every week you are not under constant pressure of ratings. Whatever the response is after the episode is aired, the content will remain the same. That is why this is creatively more satisfying. I have worked there and I am working here. We don't know how much success this format will get, but as far as satisfaction is concerned. It is definitely very satisfying.

You and your wife Archana (Taide) have also got into production. Tell us about that.

We have a company called Rachayita Films. We have already produced a film for festivals. It is very early to talk about right now. Once, there is something to talk about we will. We are also into a process of doing two more features. Hopefully, this year we will do it.

Digital is becoming a huge thing right now. Any plans of doing a web series or short films?

Yes, definitely. We are working on a couple of online subjects. Currently she (Archana Taide) is writing some content for digital and hopefully in a couple of months you will see it online.

Recently, you were ranked fifth in the list of Sexiest Asian Men - where do you think your sex appeal lies?

I have no idea. If it is looks then I have no hand in it. It is given to me by my parents. I can take credit for how I carry myself. You can be the prettiest or the most gorgeous looking man in the world but if you are not carrying yourself well, then it is a put off. And even if an average looking guy carries himself with oomph, I think it becomes attractive. It's about that.

Sony Entertainment Television has made the realm of historical drama its personal fiefdom. First, the much talked about Porus, its currently-running magnum opus, and before that, was the sprinkling of assorted medieval-age dramas such as Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap and Peshwa Bajirao. And now, the channel has gone all out to wow audiences with another grandiose historical offering the extravagantly larger-than-life spectacle called Prithvi Vallabh.

Written by the master of period dramas, Anirudh Pathak, the show features audience favourites, Ashish Sharma as Prithvi Vallabh, aka Munj, and Sonarika Bhadoria as Princess Mrinalvati. And if the first two episodes are any indication, Prithvi Vallabh promises to be the pice de rsistance of Sony TV's considerable repertoire.

The show has been produced under the banner of Writer's Galaxy, Pathak's own production house. It intrigues at the very outset, what with its enigmatic title Prithvi Vallabh- Itihas Bhi, Rahasya Bhi. And we, the viewers are hooked, lusting to discover what the rahasya is about; itihas, we all are familiar with.

What further whets our appetite is the look and feel of the visuals- spectacular, magnificent and unlike anything seen on Indian television before. In fact, the visuals are uncannily similar to the HBO oeuvre, Game of Thrones right from the settings, to the costumes, to the intro and promos, down to the way each character has been portrayed. Needless to say, the show has captured viewers' collective imaginations like never before. It wouldn't be stretching it to assert that they've fallen for it, hook, line and sinker!

Ashish Sharma is magnificent in the title role of Prithvi Vallabh. His flowing locks, often tied up into a bohemian top-knot, add a romanesque touch to his character. His soulful eyes oh, those eyes breathe life into the role of an unwarlike lover of the arts. His acting is measured and effortless. Sonarika Bhadoria, on the other hand, makes for a fiery Mrinalvati. She shines with an ethereal beauty, while her eyes spit fire in almost every scene she features in.

The show itself is based on the little-known, eponymous Gujarati novel, written by author Kanhaiyalal Munshi. At its heart, it is a war drama, based on the age-old enmity between the kingdoms of Manyakhet and Malwa.

In childhood, Princess Mrinalvati witnesses the terrible massacre of her family, at the hands of Singhdant, King of Malwa. She swears vengeance, and goes about planning it with clinical accuracy. However, she's not prepared for the powerful force that is Prithvi Vallabh, Prince of Malwa and Singdant's adopted son. How their enmity turns into an epic love story forms the crux of the drama.

Ashish Sharma is magnificent in the title role of Prithvi Vallabh. His flowing locks, often tied up into a bohemian top-knot, add a romanesque touch to his character. His soulful eyes oh, those eyes breathe life into the role of an unwarlike lover of the arts. His acting is measured and effortless. Sonarika Bhadoria, on the other hand, makes for a fiery Mrinalvati. She shines with an ethereal beauty, while her eyes spit fire in almost every scene she features in. She crawls into the skin of her character so competently that her face seems set in stone, vengeance being the only passion that shows through. The show scores a perfect ten in characterisation of the two protagonists.

Mukesh Rishi makes an appearance after a long time, in the meaty role of Karalli, Malwa Sena Adhyaksh and Guru of Prithvi Vallabh. He exudes power and enjoys a towering presence in every frame. He is one actor we would love to see more of. Industry veteran, Surendra Pal, is competent as always, in the role of Manyakhet's resident Guru, Guru Vinayaditya.

The rest of the ensemble cast is pretty much run-of-the-mill, both in the acting department, and in screen presence. The first episode had us on the edge of the seat with its sheer energy and raw, emotional appeal. However, in the second episode, the track between King Tailap, Mrinalvati's younger sibling, and Kosha, a prostitute and Tailap's clandestine lover, was unnecessarily long and tedious, making the proceedings drag a bit. Even the lines uttered by Kosha were oh-so-tiresome, and frankly, got onto our nerves. How relevant this clandestine affair is to the rest of the story remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, the show is a visual delight, and has a lot going for it. Brandished as Indian television's one of the most expensive shows till date, let's hope it lives up to the hype surrounding it. Maybe it will, if it can keep the rahasya bit lingering till the grand finale. After all, mystery only adds to the allure of things, while familiarity, they say, breeds contempt.

We would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

28.01.18

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BY Raj Baddhan

raj@bizasialive.com

RajBaddhan

Star Gold got a huge ratings boost on Saturday in UK after the telecast of the Indian Premier League player auction, according to exclusive data obtained by BizAsiaLive.com.

The channel got a share of 0.08%, just slightly behind market leader, Star Plus with a share of 0.12%. The telecast of the IPL player auction started in the early hours of Saturday morning, which naturally got a smaller audience. The auction's ratings peaked after 09:00 with 27,700 viewers it peaked to 55,500 viewers during the course of the event. Its coverage ended at 13:30. Movie Dhruva' at 18:00 raked in 6,500 viewers.

Star Plus' top rated shows on Saturday were Tu Sooraj Mein Saanjh Piyaji' at 19:00 with 79,900 viewers, followed by Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' at 19:30 with 71,900 viewers and Meri Durga' at 18:30 with 53,800 viewers. The reality show India's Next Superstars' pulled in 28,700 viewers at 20:00.

Sony Entertainment Television fetched a share of 0.07% with Kaun Banega Crorepati' re-run at 16:00 pulling in 36,400 viewers, followed by Prithvi Vallabh' repeat at 17:00 with 24,300 viewers and Super Dancer' at 20:00 with 10,700 viewers.

B4U Music did well with a share of 0.06% with Boom Box' at 18:30 raking in 29,400 viewers.

Hum TV delivered a share of 0.05% with Daldal' repeat at 17:00 pulling in 31,000 viewers. Nurpur Ki Rani' at 21:00 attracting 25,800 viewers and Khamoshi The Musical' at 20:00 with 15,200 viewers at 20:00.

&TV got a share of 0.04% with The Voice India' at 19:30 pulling in 26,700 viewers. Hum Masala also got the same share.

Colors' share dropped to 0.02% with Rising Star' pulling in 8,400 viewers.

ZEE TV's share stood at 0.01%.

Above data is overnight ratings supplied by Attentional and may change slightly after consolidated figures become available in seven days from BARB.

#IPLAuction pushed Star Gold to No.2 in UK ratings on Saturday; Star Plus remained at No.1 with #TSMSP top #YHM & #MeriDurga next; Sony TV did well with #KBC re-run on top #PrithviVallabh next; B4U Music impressed:

He brings her there. Rasniti says you can't

enter without giving proof of your act. Prithvi

asks Mrinal to tell what she wants to play.

Mrinal sees Veena and thinks of playing it in

childhood...

Prithvi asks to keep Veena on the place!