~Old RBO articles/interviews~ - Page 3

After proving her mettle in the Marathi Television Industry in her show Lakshman Rekha, Yashashri Masuraker is now getting great response for her show Rang Badalti Odhani. A simple girl from a middle class family, Yasashri has made it on her own in the industry thanks to her hard work and efforts. She has the face of a girl next door which fitted perfectly for Odhani, as it emphasises on a regional character. We spoke to her about her journey how she become an actress and more...

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Acting is not new to you, neither is facing the camera. Your serial in Marathi - Lakshman Rekha was quite popular, can you tell us a bit about the show as in how popular was it?

It was based on the Indian game - kabaddi, which is a very popular game. People just loved our show because it was really different.

What was the best comment you ever got for your work?
'Your struggle reminds us of our struggle to make this game more popular and this serial is a motivation for all of us', said a real kabaddi player.

You used to work in a BPO. Was it easy to convince your parents to allow you to act?

It was very easy to convince them because they really support me and my decisions a lot and I am really thankful to them for that.

Are you dating anyone? Fancy anyone at work?

Nope, I am single and I like it that way.

Your show Rang Badalti Odhani and specially your character Khanak portrays a traditional woman. So can you tell us about your favourite Indian festivals and rituals?

Diwali is the best festival according to me. And the Sari is the one of the best costumes a woman can wear. I like wedding ceremonies and the rituals of Durga pooja. And it isn't just religious things. I also love Indian culture, and the way we treat our guests at home (as we say mehmaan bhagvaan saman hota hai).

Rang Badalti Odhani airs from Monday to Friday at 10pm only on STAR One.

Viewers of STAR One's prime time show Rang Badalti Odhani can anticipate some white-knuckle moments, as Khanak has decided to marry again to secure her in-laws.

More on Rang Badalti Odhani : Discuss here | Watch full episodes | Official Website

Will she or won't she? And, more importantly, to whom?

We spoke to Yashashri Masurkar aka Khanak about her stand. "Khanak is going through lots of emotional trauma, as well as pressure to get married again. Earlier she had decided that she won't re-marry. This was because she wanted to care for Suraj's parents. But now slowly she has realized that they don't have much money. Suraj's brother and bhabhi Hetal tell her about the family's financial plight, so she's decided she can't be a burden to her father–in-law anymore. She decides to get married to Mulji, a groom Shantanu has chosen. Everyone is happy with her decision to re-marry, but there's going to be a twist. Under pressure from the panchayat, Khanak will be married off to Shantanu."

We spoke to Shantanu's mother Mrs. Khandelwal (Rushali Arora) about Khanak's decision. "Being Mrs. Khandelwal, I don't want that my daughter-in-law should be a widow but I do support that she should go ahead with her life without troubling others which she is doing now because everyone has a right to move ahead in their life."

To get some more dope we spoke to the show's creative producer Swapna Joshi, who said: "I totally support Khanak as now she has realized that she has become a burden to her family. And even they want her to move on with her life. She has too agreed to marry Mulji but Mr. Agrawal, who is Natasha's dad, will bribe Mulji so that Shantanu will have stay on at Dhoolwadi longer. So now Khanak's marriage happens not to Mulji, but her enemy instead."

The promos of Khanak-Shantanu marriage have been shot and will be aired in the coming episodes of the show.

Current track: Finally, after much hesitation, Khanak decides to marry Mulji but on the condition that he takes care of Suraj's parents and helps them in every possible way. Don't forget to watch Khanak's decision to get married again, on Rang Badalti Odhani every Monday to Friday at 10.00 pm only on STAR One.

Exams are over and done with and students across India are enjoying their summer vacations. We asked some of our STAR One lead actors about their exams, college/school days and their summer vacations. Here's what they said about the good old days.

Discuss here | Official Website

Uday used to start studying a month in advance!

Jas Karan essays the character of Uday who puts up a exterior but is actually just the opposite. Jas in real life too is fun-loving and adventurous.

I still get nostalgic about my exams but frankly speaking, I used to study a month before the examination started. I was an average student and never used to study throughout the year. My scores used to be in the range of 60 per cent and I did my schooling from Campion Boys High School, Bhopal. I really miss my school and college days which won't return but I am glad that through this show, I am playing the college life!

So what did he do during his summer vacations?
"During our vacation, we used to go to Mumbai, and practice boxing. After my 10th standard exams, I came to Mumbai and joined Lala Lajpat Rai College at Mahalakshmi, Mumbai. As a student, I was always interested in sports and I am a gold medalist."

What message did he have to give the students for their exams?
"Please study hard as it is very important to complete your graduation and please increase your basic IQ level so that you will survive in these competitive times.

Yashashri Masurkar aka Khanak of STAR One's Rang Badalti Odhani is missing her village in the Konkan belt of Maharashtra, while on-screen she misses Bhuj village where she was shooting!

More on Rang Badalit Odhani : Discuss here | Watch full episodes | Official Website

"I am missing Malvan because every summer in May and June, our family spent time with my grandparents and other relatives. But this year I haven't been able to join them because of the hectic shooting schedules. I miss the greenery of Malvan: Its mangoes, jackfruit, cashew-nuts... These things are my favourites and all these are widely found in the Konkan area."

She says that when she was shooting for the serial in Bhuj, in the interior part of Gujarat, she missed her Mumbai, but now it's the other way around. "When we were shooting the initial episodes, I missed Mumbai life but now I am missing those narrow lanes of the village and the desert. It was hot but that place had its own beauty. I loved the dressing style of the villagers, especially the ladies who dressed up in the ghagra-choli and moreover I was fascinated with local ornaments and I wanted to take photographs with the villagers but they were shy," she adds.

On the show, Khanak has arrived in Mumbai after marrying Shantanu so when asked how Khanak will adjust to the new city life she replied, "For Khanak, it's very sad that she is marrying the person who killed her Suraj and for her it would be difficult to adjust in the new house, and especially given the fact that city life will be a new cage. But somehow she has to adjust to the new people. Personally, I am missing my on-screen in-laws too, Hetal baa and others, then as Yashashri I am adjusting with the new co-actors, so let's see what happens."

Khanak has become quite popular and on her fan club, a fan Sanjana wrote: "Your acting is good and you match with Karan Tacker (Shantanu), you both look like a couple.."

Khanak replied to Sanjana: "Hi Sanjana, Khanak is shattered and still misses Suraj."

Mouli Sarker, a fan of the show from Facebook says, "Khanak will accept Shantanu... When she understands Shantanu has no fault in case of Suraj's death"

To this Khanak replies, "Hi Mouli, It will take time for Khanak to accept Shantanu and it will take time to understand."

According to the current track everyone gets emotional as Khanak leaves for Mumbai with Shantanu. Shantanu's grandmother meets Natasha and Khushboo for the first time. Shantanu arrives home and is surprised to see it decorated. Everyone in Shantanu's family is happy to see him back. Shantanu is stunned when he sees Natasha in bridal attire. His family is surprised when he stops Natasha from garlanding him and this shocks everyone when they see Khanak in bridal wear.

So don't forget to watch Khanak at Shantanu's house as his wife every Monday to Friday at 10 pm only STAR One.

Nayan Bhatt of STAR Plus' Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii is a veteran of the stage. Nayan is currently on television with yet another STAR show Rang Badalti Odhani as Shantanu Khandelwal's grandmother. Her character, Shantanu's Dadi, will support Khanak.

More on Rang Badalti Odhani : Discuss here | Watch full episodes | Official Website

That's a motto Nayan has in real life as well: "Everyone should respect each other and one should give space to live" she says in this interview about her work on stage, on television, and about her life.

We spoke to Nayan Bhatt, who was on the sets of Rang Badalti Odhani

How did Rang Badalti Odhani happen to you?

I got a call from the producer of the show. I know Swapna, who is the series director and I just said yes to her without even knowing my character.

What is the USP of the show according to you? What prompted you to take up the show?

I love the story line of the show, and Khanak's character for me is the USP of the show. The second thing which made me want to be a part of the show is because of Swapna, who is a very close friend of mine and I know her since the last 10 years right from my Karam days. I am happy to work with Swapna again.

You will help Khanak impress everyone. What tips will you give her?

Khanak ek bahut acchi ladki hai lekin woh halat ki maari hain (Khanak is a very good girl but she is behaving like this because of her circumstances). Being a grandmother, I will help and groom her so that she will match the lifestyle of other family members. I will teach her everything because no one is perfect!

How is the dadi of Agarwal family different from the dadi of Khanak's family?

There is a vast difference. The character in Kahaani had shown different shades. After a few episodes, I wanted that all the powers should go to Kamal and not to Om, so it was like different variations. Shaan's grandmother is fine but she sometimes confronts her bahu. For example, with lines like: Mujhe nahi pata tha ki aaj tum khana banaogi. Both dadis stick to their family values and customs.

How similar or dissimilar are you in real life to the character?

Nayan Bhatt is similar to this character and I believe in giving space to my daughter-in-law as well. If I am at home then I tell my son and daughter-in-law to go and watch a movie, while I take care of the baby. I believe in the motto 'give respect and take respect.'

How is it working with young actors like Yashashri, Karan and Rucha?

Everyone here is very fine. Most interestingly, Khanak and I share the same make-up room and she is very spontaneous and a very hardworking girl. It is good to work with Karan Tacker. With Ruchi, I have done Waqt Bataiyegaa Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya on Sony.

You have worked with Sakshi Tanwar for eight long years. How different an actor was she from the current lot that you are working with?

Sakshi is a very sweet girl and very down to earth. No tantrums and I really can't compare her with other actors because I have spent 8 long years with her. Even now we frequently talk over the phone and she still calls me Maa!

The current shows focus on reality and issues prevalent in the society unlike their counterparts from the past which were about bahus scheming and plotting against the protagonist in multimillionaire families. What do you have to say about this transition? Which phase did you enjoy the most?

It is always good to have a change and this transition has brought some new ideas even in the entertainment industry. Even in our real life changes happen then why not in reel life? It is a healthy transition. I am enjoying both the phases.

Nayan says theatre is her first love, but she is one of television's most talented actresses. And the reason artistes like her are respected in Bollywood and on television is their ability to keep it real.

In the current track, Mrs. Khandelwal is very angry to see Mr. Khandelwal and Dadima relishing the sheera that Khanak has prepared. Dadima requests Khanak to get rid of the negative vibes in the family. Mrs. Khandelwal confronts Dadima about interfering in their family's personal matters and Dadima gives shagun to Khanak.

So don't forget to watch Dadima's support to Khanak every Monday to Friday at 10 pm only on STAR One