Balaji battles time to put Hum Paanch back on track
indiantelevision.com | ||
The Hum Paanch sets, badly ravaged by a fire that broke out on November, are unlikely to be recreated in the same grandiose splendour that you saw in the initial few episodes. Balaji Telefilms has definitely overcome the incident which took place early this month but the dilemma persists. The three bedrooms and the hall which were affected leaving nothing but ashes, cannot be refurbished. Same is the case with sets of Kasamh Se, a show which is still to come out of Balaji shell. They are now looking out for a new set for Hum Paanch. Rajan Wagdhare, the director of Hum Paanch says, "The day this happened we were done with the schedule. And our next schedule will start from 26 November. Till now, we have not decided which sets we will shoot on." Will it be a problem maintaining the continuity with the new set, he says, "Yes it will be, and we have no clue as of now as to where we are going to shoot. Besides that, to retain the same look is next to being impossible. This is because the original interior of the set took nearly three to four months and as our next shoot is scheduled for the 26th, we won't be able to retain the same look." A new set plus a new design, will they be able to convince their audience? Balaji's creative head Nivedita Basu says, "It is definitely a major problem. As I am just back from Hong Kong, I don't know much about the progress of this situation. Convincing the audience? Well, it is going to be a little difficult. We are not planning to bring in any changes in the episodes saying that there will be a new house for family, as they have already been scripted. That is for sure." |
Talking Point Rakhi Tandon | ||
'I believe in chilling out. I believe in enjoying life. I live a nice, clean life. I only allow positive clean thoughts. I have a secure environment. Also, I am quite pampered by my husband' | ||
Nitin Joshi | ||
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First Break
I only got 'cute-girl' roles...
Pushtiie aka Choti of Hum Paanch on how her being plump got her assignments
Sapana Patil
I was doing a Gujarati play when a friend suggested that I audition for TV serials. Initially I was reluctant as I was really plump (more than I am now). However, that became a plus point and fetched me roles of a 'cute girl'. Those were not the kind of roles I had in mind but upon my friend's insistence, I auditioned for Balaji Telefilms (almost out of fear of displeasing him).
I got lucky in the auditions and landed up with a role in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. I played the role of a 'cute but bitchy' college girl. This was almost three years ago. At that time, my brother (TV actor Vrajesh Hirjee) was strictly against it. Being the protective brother and having worked in the industry for a long time, he knew the pitfalls in this line. So, he tried dissuading me from taking up acting in serials. But my mom was with me and was firm about letting me do what I wanted. She gave me the green signal which made me feel confident.
There has been no looking back since then. Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii was followed with a small role in Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, a big role in Kkusum and Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. Now, I reign as the Choti of Hum Paanch.
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Hum Paanch team at war!
Reena Thapar Kapoor
Getting into the inner circle can be quite a pain: Pushti
One sister act you simply cannot miss: Hum Paanch team |
Memorable moment
Crash, boom, bang!
Rakhi Tandon met her director husband by almost running into his car
Sapana Patil
Rajeev (Tandon) had hurt himself terribly after he met with a brutal accident. He was coming out of a doctor's clinic at Bandra when he saw a car coming at great speed from the opposite direction. I used to be a rash driver at that time, and upset to see him (Rajeev) blocking my way, I yelled out, "Who is this?" His driver came out explaining that he was the director of a TV show.
The next day, when I reported to my shoot for a serial called Mr Mintoo, I saw this man there. He was to going to direct me. Subsequent interaction with him led to our falling in love. I have been married to him for almost nine years now.
When my husband would watch Hum Paanch with his friend, he would often joke that he wanted to marry a girl like Sweetie. And he feels that I am his cutest possession.
When I first banged my car into his, he had sworn that he would get me. At that time I thought he meant he would get back at me. Now I realise his true intention.
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I've never dreamt of becoming a film actress
Friday, January 06, 2006 12:26:9 IST
Bhairavi Raichura is content doing meaty television roles than mediocre ones in films, she tells..
How does it feel to be back as Kajal Bhai?
(Laughs) Obviously it feels great. More than anything else, the 'Hum Paanch' team was like family. It's like getting back to one's family. We've always shared a great chemistry and it shows on screen. It's the show that's made me. So it feels even more special.
Hasn't anything changed in all these years?
Surprising but no! When I was to begin shooting for it, I wondered if it would be the same. Of course, we were in touch off and on. But the first day of the shoot made us feel like those five years had never existed. It felt exactly the same.
How do you feel about your new look?
The character is the same but now I wear more hep clothes. Earlier, I wore mainly jeans and shirts, now wear jackets and cargos too. This was decided by the production house. It's basically to show that we've just returned from the US.
What is the reaction to the comeback of the show?
People are quite excited that it's come back. They don't find it very different from what it was nor do they find any change in me besides my look.
Don't you feel that there has to be a difference considering five years have passed?
I don't think the basic nature changes. Kajal Bhai always thought of herself as a man. She doesn't like anyone addressing her as a woman. It's such a strong character. I don't know how often one sees characters like that.
Do you relate to her?
(Laughs) I'm not Kajal at all in real life. I'm the complete opposite. I'm naughty
but I'm nowhere like her. I'm comfortable in jeans and shirts as well as in Indian attire. I dress according to the occasion. Five years back when 'Hum Paanch' came on air, people hadn't seen me in anything besides jeans and shirts on screen. Now they're used to seeing me in feminine clothes in my other serials.
Which character do you enjoy playing more, Urmila in 'Astitva' or Kajal Bhai?
Both! I think it's a blessing for an actor to play such diverse characters. I have to work hard for both.
What attracted you to Kaajal Bhai?
It's a completely different character. I found it extremely challenging as I was a very shy girl. Besides, it wasn't like I was being offered hundreds of characters that I could choose from. So I took up Kaajal Bhai. I was very scared initially as I'd never come across a character like that in real life.
How did you manage?
I behaved exactly the way I was told to. My directors helped me a lot. They showed me the different nuances and I just imitated them (laughs).
How did you get into acting?
I started with attending a theatre workshop as a kid. My mum had me enrolled in it as she thought I would open up a bit. I did a play and later another one after my tenth standard. Homi Wadia asked me if I would do a part in 'Mano Na Mano'. Ekta Kapoor spotted me and offered me Kajal Bhai in 'Hum Paanch'. Everything started from there.
Would you do theatre today?
I don't think I have the energy to finish my TV shoots and rush for rehearsals and shows. I would rather stick to television for now.
How about films?
I've been saying no to films. I don't want to do films. I'm happy with television. It's better to do meaty roles on television rather than not-so-important roles in films. Today television is really big. I've never even dreamt of becoming a film actress.
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