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Saloni has turned negative… and Rajshri Thakur doesn't like the idea one bit


Back to Section Stories Posted On Friday, October 26, 2007



Ranjib Mazumder

Rajshri Thakur aka Saloni of Saat Phere is not so sure of her character in the serial any more. The actress's character has turned negative, which has left her in doubt about the effect it may have on audiences.

Saloni has, so far, played the ideal bahu in the show. But the storyline is now taking a new turn, with changing circumstances. Says a source in the production house, "Saloni's character is going through a lot of changes in the show. Her fight with Nahar (played by Sharad Kelkar) has already started. Due to changing circumstances, she will break all the seven vows that she had taken during the saat pheras. She has already broken two of the vows. The sudden change in her character will shock viewers for sure. And that's what she's apprehensive about."

Adds another source, "Rajshri has been playing the ideal bahu for almost two years. She is so used to the idea of a perfect Saloni that now she is a little apprehensive about the idea of turning negative. She fears that it may backfire and the TRPs may go down."

When contacted, Rajshri Thakur says, "I know Saloni is not a negative character. She has just turned negative in the show. I am sure the production house and the creative people have their justification for the turn of events. I am just a little apprehensive as I have played a positive character for almost two years and that's the character viewers can relate to."

She adds, "I have heard a lot of people saying that this was a little unexpected. Still, they think Saloni can't go negative without valid reason. But, they have faith in the show and the character. That's the only thing that's keeping me going. I hope this change helps the show."

Why is she so apprehensive about portraying a negative character? "A creative individual should be open to all kinds of roles. As an actress, I believe in that too. But Saat Phere is very close to my heart and I'm a bit apprehensive about viewers' rejection, that's all," she says.


http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&se ctid=12&contentid=2007102620071026033023468be45e5d2

Jjhoom India


Sahara's singing a duet

Rachit Gupta
First it was about finding a Bathroom Singer, now it is about looking at a singing pair with Jjhoom India, a show that pits celebrities with singers to perform duets

iding on the wave of reality themes and singing contests, television in 2007 has been the playground of musicians from the silver screen. You name them and they've been a part of some or the other reality show, either as participant, host or jury. Every major channel has its brand of reality TV singing, but Sahara had an interesting variation in the format, called Bathroom Singer. Interestingly, it had ordinary people with not-so-good voices singing Hindi film songs. The primary thought behind the show was to be different and make it fun. Well, Sahara has stepped up to the dais again. It's another reality singing competition that pairs up a TV celebrity with an established singing talent, which makes up the ten contesting jodis, and there is a three- member jury as well and then there is the handsome duo of hosts. Sounds all too familiar, but what sets it apart from others is that it draws on its own Bathroom Singer and tries to be fun.
The line-up of participants includes tie-ups like Shweta Tiwari with Suresh Wadkar, Sharad Kelkar with Vaishali Samant, Varun Badola with Akriti Kakar, Roshni Chopra with Vinod Rathod, Mrinal Kulkarni with Sudesh Bhonsle, Shama Sikander with Zubin Mehta, Sachin Tyagi and Madhushree, Shekhar Suman with Sanjeevani, Chhavi Mittal with Jatin Pandit and finally Apara Mehta with Parthiv Gohil. The jury includes stalwarts like veteran music director Anandji, Shabana Azmi and renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Upcoming singer Rahul Vaidya and TV actress Sucheta Khanna are the hosts for Jjhoom India.

The incredible amount of talent on the show adds to Jjhoom India's credit. The singing talent on the show's roster includes names that are well-established in the art of music and singing in Hindi cinema. The show is produced and directed by Optimystix, a company that's handled Indian Idol 1 and Bathroom Singer. Club that with the great jury on board and Jjhoom India really seems like a unique reality TV prospect. Sanjiv Sharma CEO and Chairman, Optimystix was upbeat and confident about the show's format. "Jjhoom India is a concept that we have adapted from a popular show Just The Two Of Us that had a similar format. It's worked before and we know for a fact that with the line-up we have our show will be a rocking success."

In the evening that was to introduce the show's contestants to the world, members of the jury endorsed the idea of reality shows allowing fresh talent to come to the fore. Although she wasn't present in person, Shabana Azmi was quoted as saying that "Shows like Jjhoom India are so exciting because they give creative people a chance to prove their mettle. Any talent can succeed only if they have tug on to their resources with all their might and dedication. Jjhoom India promises to give its participants the same opportunity."

Seemanto Roy, Entertainment Head of SaharaOne was of the opinion that Jjhoom India would emulate the success of Sahara's previous reality shows like Biggest Loser Jeetega and Bathroom Singer. "Our shows have yielded unprecedented popularity and TRPs, and ratings suggest that Sahara's reality shows achieve success. Jjhoom India will take our success to a newer level," said Roy. With so much on their side the channel can well be confident that their new show would do well. But, the absence of nine participants at the show's launch event does not go down well with the reputation of a channel as big as Sahara. Call it lack of discipline or anything else, absent celebrities might have to pay up to Sahara bosses solely for the fact that according to sources, participants of Jjhoom India would receive pay cuts if they failed to show up at events and rehearsals.



Nonetheless, Jjhoom India looks refreshing and Sahara's hopes will be pitted on the show's success to cash into some much needed TRP boosts. Whether the show outdoes any of its competitors is a thing of the future.


http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=17609

Jjhoom India


Sahara's singing a duet

Rachit Gupta
First it was about finding a Bathroom Singer, now it is about looking at a singing pair with Jjhoom India, a show that pits celebrities with singers to perform duets

iding on the wave of reality themes and singing contests, television in 2007 has been the playground of musicians from the silver screen. You name them and they've been a part of some or the other reality show, either as participant, host or jury. Every major channel has its brand of reality TV singing, but Sahara had an interesting variation in the format, called Bathroom Singer. Interestingly, it had ordinary people with not-so-good voices singing Hindi film songs. The primary thought behind the show was to be different and make it fun. Well, Sahara has stepped up to the dais again. It's another reality singing competition that pairs up a TV celebrity with an established singing talent, which makes up the ten contesting jodis, and there is a three- member jury as well and then there is the handsome duo of hosts. Sounds all too familiar, but what sets it apart from others is that it draws on its own Bathroom Singer and tries to be fun.
The line-up of participants includes tie-ups like Shweta Tiwari with Suresh Wadkar, Sharad Kelkar with Vaishali Samant, Varun Badola with Akriti Kakar, Roshni Chopra with Vinod Rathod, Mrinal Kulkarni with Sudesh Bhonsle, Shama Sikander with Zubin Mehta, Sachin Tyagi and Madhushree, Shekhar Suman with Sanjeevani, Chhavi Mittal with Jatin Pandit and finally Apara Mehta with Parthiv Gohil. The jury includes stalwarts like veteran music director Anandji, Shabana Azmi and renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Upcoming singer Rahul Vaidya and TV actress Sucheta Khanna are the hosts for Jjhoom India.

The incredible amount of talent on the show adds to Jjhoom India's credit. The singing talent on the show's roster includes names that are well-established in the art of music and singing in Hindi cinema. The show is produced and directed by Optimystix, a company that's handled Indian Idol 1 and Bathroom Singer. Club that with the great jury on board and Jjhoom India really seems like a unique reality TV prospect. Sanjiv Sharma CEO and Chairman, Optimystix was upbeat and confident about the show's format. "Jjhoom India is a concept that we have adapted from a popular show Just The Two Of Us that had a similar format. It's worked before and we know for a fact that with the line-up we have our show will be a rocking success."

In the evening that was to introduce the show's contestants to the world, members of the jury endorsed the idea of reality shows allowing fresh talent to come to the fore. Although she wasn't present in person, Shabana Azmi was quoted as saying that "Shows like Jjhoom India are so exciting because they give creative people a chance to prove their mettle. Any talent can succeed only if they have tug on to their resources with all their might and dedication. Jjhoom India promises to give its participants the same opportunity."

Seemanto Roy, Entertainment Head of SaharaOne was of the opinion that Jjhoom India would emulate the success of Sahara's previous reality shows like Biggest Loser Jeetega and Bathroom Singer. "Our shows have yielded unprecedented popularity and TRPs, and ratings suggest that Sahara's reality shows achieve success. Jjhoom India will take our success to a newer level," said Roy. With so much on their side the channel can well be confident that their new show would do well. But, the absence of nine participants at the show's launch event does not go down well with the reputation of a channel as big as Sahara. Call it lack of discipline or anything else, absent celebrities might have to pay up to Sahara bosses solely for the fact that according to sources, participants of Jjhoom India would receive pay cuts if they failed to show up at events and rehearsals.



Nonetheless, Jjhoom India looks refreshing and Sahara's hopes will be pitted on the show's success to cash into some much needed TRP boosts. Whether the show outdoes any of its competitors is a thing of the future.


http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=17609

Sharad Kelkar, good actor or singer?



The perfect husband of Indian television, Sharad Kelkar aka Nahar of Saat Phere is worn out these days. Beside Saat Phere he'll now be seen in Sahara One's Jjhoom India. We caught up with him to chat about his experience on acting and singing and what he prefers most.

"It is tough to shoot all day and rehearse at night. But if you ask me what's easy then I would choose acting over singing. Singing is not my cup of tea but Jjhoom is giving me a good experience and also serving as a great change from my routine." says Sharad.


Sharad is shooting 25 to 30 days a month as he is the important character in Saat Phere. Now with Jjhoom his head has started to swing.

So tell us how you are managing? "I shoot in the morning and rehearse at night. Many times I reach late but Vaishali, my mentor never complains. She is very cool and understanding. Hat's off to her for bearing with me. I was always fascinated by music and singing. I used to sing during my college days but now it's become difficult," he explains.

What kind of difficulties are you facing? "While shooting you scream, cry and verbalize dialogues many times. This makes your voice sound more husky and tired at the end of the day. I'm not a professional singer so I have to start from scratch. I'm trying hard but the main judgment has to come from the junta. They will decide who's gonna stay back and who'll leave," he utters.

So what's the confusion in Nahar's life? "Saloni (Rajshree Thakur) has turned negative and this is hurting me. As a patni vrata pati I'll try and reach to the root of the problem and help my wife to come out of it. For more keep watching."

He is a good actor no doubt, but what about his singing aptitude? Let's leave that to Bharat ki junta to decide.

I stammered badly initially: Sharad
5 Nov 2007, 0000 hrs IST,PRERNA SHAH ,TNN
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Sharad with his wife Keerti Kelkar (TOI Photo)

It's by playing the role of a doting husband that television actor Sharad Kelkar got prime time audience glued to his antics.

In real life too, Sharad can melt at the mere mention of his wife: television actress Keerti Gaekwad. "She's everything that I had always dreamt of. I had imagined my wife to be fair, chubby and bubbly. Kirti is all that and more," says Sharad wistfully.

But it's 1.30 pm and Sharad has just woken up. "This was my first day off in 45 days and so many things are lined up. There's a hair cut which was due for weeks now, rehearsals for my new show Jhoom India and of course, Kirti is high on my priorities...," says Sharad.

We know that by now. But isn't Sharad a study in contrast to his reel role in which he is madly in love with a wife who's dusky complexioned. "Ah, that? Well," drawls Sharad a tad confused and then chooses to say, "We (he and actress Rajshree Thakur) share an extremely nice chemistry and that is because both of us are nice people and have no scores to settle." Sharad, who once worked in Gwalior at a gym earning some three and a half thousand bucks feels that he has arrived in life.

"I was doing my MBA and I came to Mumbai to be with a cousin who was higher up in the ladder in a marketing position. While there, I applied to a nationwide male beauty contest and came in the top 10. I came to Mumbai again, and this time I got an offer to do a ramp show. Realising that I could earn some 10-15,000 grand in a day, I made up my mind that Mumbai was where I should stay," reminisces Sharad.

However Sharad soon realised that it wasn't as easy as he had imagined it to be. "I got an offer to work in a serial and I discovered that I couldn't even mouth simple dialogues. I stammered badly. I was dropped from the serial within a week and it took eight months or so before I got another show. It was Keerti who mentored me, taught me how deliver lines and all," says Sharad and we know we are back from where we started!

"We married after one and half months of knowing each other. I owe my success to her and to my sheer good luck. Even with Saat Phere , mine was supposed to be a cameo role for some 30 episodes. In no time, I came to play the lead, it so happened that audiences loved my Rajasthani look," says Sharad.

Carry on, Sharad, it seems like your pot of luck is not going to run out any time soon.

R umour has it that Nivedita Bhattacharya is making a comeback. The actress, who was last seen as the venomous jiji in Saat Phere, is reportedly returning to the show. Bhattacharya neither confirms nor denies the rumour. "I can't talk about this right now," is all she has to say.
She adds, "My track in Saat Phere did not end abruptly It was planned that jiji would . leave after a few episodes. But there's always a possibility of a return in a soap," she admits.

Bhattacharya, who is married to actor Kay Kay Menon, is currently enjoying travelling around the country with her plays. What about plans to start a family? "We have no such plans right now," she asserts.

'I love skimpy clothes'

Kirti Gaekwad on 'cool' hubby Sharad Kelkar and why she doesn't like reality shows

'I have lost nine kilos.'
I took a leave after a long time. During that time, I went to the gym and consulted a dietician. And guess what? I lost a good nine kilos. But I also partied hard and went to Goa on a holiday twice during this time. Our new home is also getting ready. So I was busy getting the interiors done. These four months just flew by…

'It's good fun to work with my hubby.'
I am excited about playing protagonist Shagun (earlier played by Akangsha Rawat ) in 'Solhah Singaar' (SaharaOne). I may return in 'Saat Phere' (Zee). I absolutely loved playing a vamp. Last time too, they came to me after a good eight to nine months gap. Right now, I haven't been approached. But if they do, I won't say no. I enjoy playing different roles. I love the fact that an actor lives so many facets. I have played a prostitute, a rape victim, a vamp and an innocent girl in different shows.

'I didn't enjoy being part of 'Nach Baliye'.
Not that I have anything against reality shows but honestly I didn't enjoy 'Nach Baliye'. After you have put in so much hard work being non-dancers, the judges give you low grades. This is very upsetting. I am watching the current 'Nach Baliye 3' (Star Plus) and feel Rakhi Sawant-Abhishek Awasthi stand a good chance of winning as they are dancers.

'I love wearing skimpy outfits.'
I took the liberty of wearing tube tops with saris in 'Sinndoor'. I have always tried to add glamour to roles. I am quite a modern woman. I love wearing glam clothes from jeans to ultra minis if they suit me. Sharad (Kelkar) is cool with it. He chooses the clothes that I should wear for a function. He's cool with my clothes but his only condition is that he will accompany me. I find that cute.

'I am not a possessive wife.'
I love my husband and trust him blindly. I am okay with him dancing with all my friends at parties. I know at the end of the day that he will only come back to me. I know that he is crazily in love with me and so am I. Don't ask me when we are starting a family. Because, we are not ready for it yet. I have just lost nine kilos. Let me enjoy this before I put on more weight (laughs).

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1133542

Dare not shoot me: Neena Gupta


Not one to lose her cool Neena Gupta showed us her wrong side yesterday. But we would like to believe that it was just one of those days


when Neena got out on the wrong side of her bed. While shooting for Jigar Ma ladi Aag Hai, the actress lashed out at the shutterbugs present at the venue. In fact, she asked tellychakkar's resident photographer as to why he was clicking endless pictures of hers. She subsequently ordered all the press guys to leave the set immediately . Incidentally the press had been invited to visit the set.


The onlookers were shocked by her behaviour. Justifying her order, Neena said that she was in a very bad mood and wouldn't like to be annoyed further. The shutterbugs left the scene immediately.


More than justifying her mood, Neena showed that her jigar did have a big fire raging within.


But by and large the press has a bigger jigar and will soon forgive and forget

09 Saat Phere actress wins best actress award
Posted by Hanumant Bhansali


Rajashree Thakur aka Saloni is a celebration mood. Her show 'Saat Phere', which is telecasted on Zee Network has completed 500 episodes.

Moreover,she has won the best actress award at the recently concluded Gold awards.

Says Rajashree, "Yeah, naturally I am very happy. Touching 500 is an amazing feat and I am sure there will many more such occasions to celebrate in the days to come

Sharad upset with negative comments on Jjhoom

Sharad Kelkar, popularly as Nahar from Saat Phere, is not happy with the negative comments he has been receiving from the judges every week in Jjhoom India.




An upset Sharad tells us, "Every week I am getting ok marks. We are selecting good songs but in the end, we are always getting fewer marks. Vaishali is working very hard on me and every time, she honestly tells me, that I am singing well but I do not know what is happening. For me singing nicely is very important. I used to sing during my college days. Now I am doing riyaz everyday but because of all this we have stopped experimenting and are playing it safe."

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Sharad is not too happy with the show either. "Frankly speaking if you watch the show you will come to know that nobody knows what is happening. I am also confused and do not understand their fundas of giving marks and the comments. Moreover, I cannot ask them that what is going wrong. But mine and Vaishali's friends also can't understand why the judges are not liking our performance. It looks very disheartening when I see all this on TV," an anguished Sharad says.

He goes on to add, "Even Vaishali does not have any clue what is going wrong. She is a very honest and experience singer. Even when we were the second highest scorer our marks were only 20."

The actor feels other singers who are not performing well are getting good comments and marks but stops short of calling the judges biased.

In the last two episodes, Sharad sang ek main aur tu hai originally sung by Abhishek Bachchan and then apun bola tu meri laila by Shah Rukh Khan. This week as well, as he said earlier, he will be playing it safe while selecting songs.

http://news.indya.com/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2007/November/N ews_20071121_183