~*~Articles Archieve~*~

This thread contains articles and interviews relating to Shakuntala.

Star One Presents one of the Greatest Love Epics of all times...

Shakuntala and Dushyanta inspire a new show

A new show starting next month is based on the mythological love story of Shakuntala and Dushyanta. Neha Mehta who will play the role of Shakuntala gave us the details.

Hi, found this article on Madhura Naik (also acted in Bidaai, KDMHMD, Sangam and Kayamath), here's the link : http://www.india-forums.com/tellybuzz/article.asp?id=4089

Madhura Naik to enter Shakuntala..

Madhura will be seen in a positive role as Dushyant's sister in Star One's period love story, Shakuntala...

Madhura Naik who has been typecast for her negative roles whether it was in Bidaai, Kayamath or Kis Desh, will now be seen in a new avtar in Star One's eternal love story, Shakuntala.

Playing a period drama for the first time, Madhura feels this is a challenge which will give her the much-needed image makeover in television. "I am playing the role of Princess Gauri, sister of Dushyant in the show. This is a very different role when compared to the roles I have played so far; and above all it is a positive and a long-running one".

"This is also the first time I am part of a period drama, and am upbeat about this. The look given to me is totally different, and I look the typical Princess here", adds the actress.

Madhura will enter the show on Tuesday, February 24th'

Reporter and Author: Ranjini Nair

www.telegraphindia.com/1090206/jsp/entertainment story_104922507 .jsp

An article from January from the male lead actor Gautam Sharma (playing Dushyant)😳.
Source: http://www.3dsyndication.com/showarticle.aspx?nid=DNAHM15762

'I have always been a fitness freak'

DNAHM15762 | 1/28/2009 | Author : TULI BANERJEE | WC :333

Says GAUTAM SHARMA who is in Gandhinagar shooting for his serial Shakuntala . TULI BANERJEE catches up with this charming actor

Young, enthusiastic and charming actor Gautam Sharma is going gaga over the role he has bagged. After acting in serial Grihasthi, Gautam is back in action, but with a bigger banner. He will now be playing the lead role of king Dushyant in Shakuntala, a serial made by Sagar Pictures Ltd.
Talking about his new role, Gautam says, "It is a classic eternal love story and I feel that I can easily relate to it." When asked if he had to undergo rigorous training for his character, he quickly replies, "King Dushyant was an efficient horse rider. Luckily, I knew horse-riding and therefore, I did not have to undergo any rigorous training."
And what about having a muscular physique? "I have always been a fitness freak and thus have no problems in bring out the sturdy look," he adds.
Though the shooting of the show is going on in Gandhinagar, Gautam haven't managed to explore the city yet. "We are shooting for almost more than 12 hours a day and so I haven't got the chance to see the places. But yes, I am loving the winter out here, and I hope the sun is not too harsh in summer," says Gautam.
This handsome Bangalore-based boy has done several advertisements including Fair & Handsome, Orbit, Dabur, Coke, among others. He has even worked with almost all the famous Bollywood stars including Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan.
Describing his experience of working with the Bollywood celebs, Gautam says, "I am really very fortunate to have go...

Shakuntala's Karan: Injured before entry!

Sunny Nijjar tried to make a killer entry as Karan on Shakuntala. He ended up injuring himself

HE thought – and tried – to make his entry as Karan on the serial, Shakuntala, as impressive as possible. But it proved tough on actor Sunny Nijjar.



He says, "I injured my right leg while shooting for my entry shot on the show. The sequence had me jumping from a machan. While doing so, I injured my right leg, and tore my ligament."

"It (the injury) happened in the morning, and the doctor was called immediately. But I didn't stop shooting. I shot all my close-ups before I left."
The actor has been in pain for three days, but says he is feeling better: "This happened six days ago, and I rested two days after that. I did all the medical tests -- X-rays, etc. I am much better now and have started shooting."

Apart from painkillers and rest, his doctor has left him with strict instructions: "He has asked me to take as much rest as possible and not to overexert myself. I can't drive or walk too much -- that will slow down the healing process."

"I need a walking stick," he continues, "and if it doesn't get better in 15 days, my doctor might change the medication."

The production house is now using a stand-in for some shots. "I do most of it, but they need to use a dummy for some shots. I just do close-ups and rest for half an hour between shots, or go to sleep. My family is not here, so my friends, co-actors and the production are helping me with everything."

Shakuntala is telecast on Star One, Mondays-Fridays, 9 pm

Traveling and haggling makes Madhura quit Shakuntala

Madhura Naik entered Shakuntala (Star One) a month ago as Dushyant's sister Gauri but her stint on the show was to be short lived. The actress quit the serial due to mounting problems, the worst being the traveling involved.

Madhura speaks to us about her sudden exit, saying, "I quit Shakuntala about a week ago. It was a problem traveling every two days from Mumbai to Ahemdabad, where the set is located. It was becoming very stressful so I decided to quit."
The actress says that she also had troubles coping with both her shows, Kis Des Mein Hai Mera Dil and Shakuntala. She adds, "I was shooting for Kis Des in Mumbai and the set of Shakuntala is in Gandhinagar. Every two days, I had to catch a flight from Mumbai and fly there. It was becoming very difficult."

Apart from this, Madhura says that there were other reasons behind her decision to leave the show. She says, "They never gave me contract letter; they promised me many things initially, but they haven't kept their promises."

Elaborating on the empty promises, she says, "They said that they would pay my airfare but eventually told me that they'll pay only half of it. They also told me that they'll coordinate with me and that I'd have to shoot for just 15 days a month but they made me shoot for 25 instead! The Balaji production unit is very sweet and that's the reason I could do both the shows."

Madhura is sad to leave Shakuntala halfway through as it was doing really well. "Shakuntala was perhaps very good for me. People loved my character more than Shakuntala's. In Kis Des, I am playing a negative role so the importance becomes slightly less. On the other hand, people really appreciated my role in Shakuntala. I feel sad to quit but I can't really help it."

One thing she definitely won't miss is being decked up for the shoot. She says, "I enjoyed the show but shooting with the heavy costumes and heavy jewellery was very difficult. On top of that, it was outdoors and the temperature there is usually very high."

Payal Sarkar, who was seen in Waqt Batayega Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya, has replaced Madhura as Gauri. To this, Madhura says, "Well, I won't like to comment but I wish her all the best!"

Presently in Kis Des Mein Hai Mera Dil, Madhura's track is in full flow as her onscreen marriage is going to take place soon.

Payal Sarkar's entry as Gauri was shown last week on Shakuntala.

http://www.indya.com/news/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2009/March/News_20090323_109

shankuntala

Tuesday, 24 March 2009 00:00

there should be a law dictating that national literature is protected against abject mutilation. "shankuntla" on star one is a great insult to even common audience intelligence, leave alone intellectuals and literary aficionados who still are gagging and sputtering over it. we have resort like setting which is supposed to be ashram of rishi whoever, who finds shankuntla abandoned by her mother apsara maneka and the father renowned vishwamitra…..the highly tacky scene shot in shadows both the parents mouthing inanities…whereas the screenplay should've opened with "gandharv – vivaha" or the seduction of maneka which would've been much more interesting and pray when were bricks and mortar in that era. then we have the villain who wants the child to be thrown out and the rishi is sniveling and groveling and there are gaggle of modern kids with modern hair cuts milling around and creepy looking women in equally shoddy jewelry and clothing. the whole exercise is unbelievably shoddy and without any purpose and the grown up shankuntla and dushyant have still to come but going by the promos one can see the moronic plastic modernization with make-up hair in elizabethan ringlets. please do not distort what is sacred and imaginative do not commission work of such magnitude to people who have no love for such epics. such series need dedication, research, staying true to legend and writing which going by the first episode is not going to be there. it's sacrilege. wonder what does one gain by doing such things and come to think of it, it was shankuntla's son who was named bharat and our country got that name from him. preposterous!!!! i am sure even "kalidas" will agree with us on this and he must be turning in his celestial abode. shakuntala – monday to friday at 09 : 30 pm only on star one.