Synopsis,Character Details & Articles - Page 6

The actress invests her entire Kyunki… savings on it

Reena Thapar Kapoor

Apara Mehta, who is currently seen on Saat Phere, has moved on from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and how. The actress has bought herself a swanky flat in the suburbs with all the money she earned working on the show.

Mehta is ecstatic. "It feels great to buy a home from one's hard-earned money. I've spent every single penny I made from Kyunki... on it," she says. The actress has taken personal interest in decorating of the flat too. "I've always wanted to have a place I could call my own. So I redesigned the place to suit my taste. I even tore down a couple of walls! Despite a hectic schedule, I used to take time out to supervise the activities."

Apara is also proud of the fact that her career is going the right way. She says: "Two days after Kyunki... I was back on television in Saat Phere! I think my role is well-etched out. Also, I like the set-up. The actors are fun to work with, and it's quite peaceful on the sets."

Talking about life, post-Balaji, Apara says that she has been getting a lot of offers from other production houses. But she is being careful about taking on roles. "I'm at a stage where I can choose my roles," she shrugs.

Her new home and new job are the two things that are keeping her occupied now. "This is probably the best phase in my life. The feedback that I've received from the audience after my track in Kyunki… wrapped up was touching," she says. "Wherever I went, people asked me why my track on the show was wrapped up." Now, that's one question we'd like to have answered ourselves.



• I've always wanted to have a place I could call my own. I redesigned the place to suit my taste — Apara Mehta

Neel quits Saat Phere



Rakesh Bapat has bagged the lead role in the remake of Santoshi Maa



Sapana Patil Poojary



The few films that he starred in failed to put him in the big league. So, Rakesh Bapat turned his attention to the small screen. But now, the actor who plays Neel in Zee's Saat Phere is quitting the serial and going back to films.

Rakesh has received an offer to play the lead in Maa Santoshi Maa, a remake of the 1975 hit film Jai Santoshi Maa. He has decided to quit Saat Phere and is all set to move to Hyderabad where he will spend a month or two shooting for the film.

When Rakesh debuted in Saat Phere last year, it seemed he had great television career in front of him. In fact, prior to the introduction of Nahar (Saloni's husband), Rakesh had received good footage as Saloni's lover. However, since the new developments in the storyline, Rakesh's character was relegated to the background.

"I wasn't too happy with the way my role was shaping up in Saat Phere. So I spoke to the producers, Sunjoy and Comall Waddhwa. They told me that they are working on getting my track back," he says. "Meanwhile, I got this offer for Maa Santoshi Maa, which will require me to be away from the serial for a-month-and-a-half. In order to explain my disappearance from the serial, my character Neel will shift to Mumbai. I will be back on Saat Phere if my track develops. So far, there are no hang ups. The Waddhwas have been extremely good to me."

Rakesh denies having taking up acting on television because his last films, namely Naam Gum Jaayega, Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya? and Wrong Number flopped. "I am creative person. I have won a National award for my paintings, I am a musician and a sculptor too. For me, be it TV or films, the medium doesn't matter. Both are equally great. I took up Maa Santoshi Maa because my contract with the Waddhwas permitted me to do so. There was no restriction against taking up other assignments while doing Saat Phere," says Rakesh.

Why would he risk giving up a steady television career to star in films?

"I don't take up work thinking of the box office results. I take up work that satisfies my creative urges. I don't plan too much in life. I take each day as it comes. And just because I have got a lead role in films, I am not going to be hasty," he says.

I'm stressed and overworked'



Well, this has made him overweight too! Rudra of Saat Phere is over seven-odd kilos heavier now. And he attributes it to his hectic work schedule



Reena Thapar Kapoor



Sharad Kelkar wishes his day had more than 24 hours. The actor who has been shooting non-stop for the last ten days for Sindoor Tere Naam Ka and Saat Phere feels that the erratic shooting hours have taken a toll on his health.

"My friends have told me that I'm looking fat. And they weren't wrong, because I have put on seven-odd kilos. For the past few days I haven't been having my meals on time. I eat anything at any time. When you're working round-the-clock, you don't keep a check on the time or the type of food. Everything goes awry."

However, Sharad isn't too happy with his professional life. The buzz is that he might be opting out of Kinneri Mehta's Sindoor Tere Naam Ka. "I shoot 15 days for Sindoor… and 15 days for Saat Phere. The dates have never clashed in the past but now both shows require me to shoot on the same day. My dates are in a mess. As a result, I'm stressed and overworked," he says.

"I wish my role in Sindoor... is reduced. Though it's special because I'm paired opposite my wife Keerti Gaikawad. Considering that otherwise we're extremely busy shooting for our respective shows, working in the same show means spending some time together."

But the actor says that Saat Phere is his trump card. "I'm playing the lead in Saat Phere. In Sindoor… I play a parallel lead. So, the former is more important to my career," he says.

The rumours about Rudra's character being bumped off are doing the rounds. What does he have to say? "The producers take a call on the character's lifespan. As an actor, I have no say in the matter. Even I have heard that Rudra will be bumped off. Both the shows are aired on Zee TV and I think it's the channel's prerogative to sort things out. I'm completely okay with their decision," he says.

The actor admits he'd rather work on one show at a time. "I'm a married man and I need to spend some time with my wife too. I can't take the stress of working in two daily soaps. I know other actors have been doing it for years but I cannot. It's taken a toll on my health. Anyway, I have a life beyond work. A married man cannot live a bachelor's life, can he?" he asks.

Too much of a coincidence?: Whether it's due to chance or creative similarity is not yet known. But a forthcoming track in 'Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki' (Star Plus) will be similar to the one seen in 'Saat Phere' (Zee).

The plot in 'Saat Phere' revolved around the mystery behind a closed door. Apparently, there will be a similar twist in 'Kahaani…' where the secret kept in a box will be revealed eventually.

So, which fairness cream do you use?



How else could the dusky Saloni of Saat Phere change into a fair-skinned damsel?



Kunal M Shah



Rajshree Thakur shot into the limelight as the dark-skinned girl Saloni in Saat Phere. The show took off aiming to highlight the travails of a dusky girl in the Indian social system. However as the show developed, Saloni seemed to undergo a change… her skin tone getting fairer as episodes progressed. The above pictures stand testimony to this fact.

When we asked the actress about the metamorphosis, she said, "It isn't exactly a transformation. It is a natural progression. After marriage Saloni is shown taking care of herself and her looks. She spends time on her make-up. But the basic complexion can never change. The fairness is also helping the story and goes down well with Indian cultural and social values. However the character was equally loved by the audience even when she was dark."

Anchal is Chanchal from Heart
I am the exact opposite of my on-screen character, I am an emotional, sensitive and a compromising character in real life," gushes the chubby Anchal.

How do you feel portraying a negative character?
I am very lucky to have got a chance to portray my talent. I love this character as it requires me to laugh and cry on different occasions which is really challenging. The character of Kaveri is full of happening incidents. Initially it was difficult for me to get into the character but later on I imbibed the grey shades so well that at times I felt it was not me. In real life I am a happy-go-lucky female who cannot even think of hurting the smallest insect. I spread happiness and want others to be happy forever.

Do you remember any childhood incident that you co-relate on-screen today?
Oh yes! I remember my school days when I couldn't tolerate my best friend overshadowing me at school. I used to fight with her like crazy. Now she is no more and I feel very sad about it.

Any fights on the sets? I mean professional rivalry?
No not at all. It is like a family. Only at times I feel my co-artists feel jealous of me because of my fancy attire and special look the producers insist on. Earlier, when I used to hear people taunting 'Why should she be dressed like this when we are not', I used to get hurt. But by now I am used to all this. So it doesn't matter any more.

What about your alleged link-up with your on-screen husband Mazhar?
(Laughs) Link-up! Oh my God! We are just good friends who share good jokes, that's all. Nothing beyond that. We are pals and HE is definitely not my boyfriend.

Agreed. Then who is it?
I have no time for boyfriends at the moment. I shall think about it only after 10 years. Now this is my first innings and I want to make it big.

What is your parents' reaction to you playing a vamp?
They are the biggest support for me. My father has always been my friend and my advisor. Whenever I (as Kaveri) fail in my on-screen plans, they feel disappointed and wait for the next episode just to see me win my dirty game. Only after they see me succeed, they heave a sigh of relief.

And people from your hometown Agra? How do they react to your negative image?
They know I am a very polite person by nature and can't believe I can be such a mean person on screen. Whenever I go to Agra and they meet me, they all have only one question to ask, 'How could you change so much?' (laughs) They feel I have really become a trouble maker.

Any plans for Bollywood?
I am open to good roles and am waiting for a break. But as of now I am quite a satisfied person. A lot of TV offers are coming, but then, due to work pressure and shortage of time, I am not being able to take up any further assignment.

Do you fear being typecast?
Well, I do not fear any such hiccups coz I have already been approached by Sony TV for a positive role in Karamchand to be telecast some time in June this year.

What's your personal opinion about playing negative roles?
We, as actors have to perform our part well and act to the best of our abilities. A good performance is what matters. As long as I am satisfied, I don't care what people say.

Well, before wishing you the very best, any message for our readers?
My message to one and all is to watch me regularly, live amicably with one another and enjoy my negative aura in a positive manner.
By Televisionpoint.com Team