KULVADDHU: Concept and Articles - Page 7

Though he's been on the small screen since a long time, it was with Balaji's Kahiin Toh Hoga, where he played a convincing father to Aamna Shariff, that Chetan Panditgot noticed. With many ads and a few films to his credit, this theatre actor has also featured in shows namely, Chandrakanta, Aahat, Kya Hadsa Kya Haqekat, Kahiin Toh Milege and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

Prashant Golecha meets up with Chetan who is currently associated with Maverick Production's Kulvaddhu where he plays Samar Rathod.

Why did you quit Kahin To Hoga?
I did KTH for one and a half years. With the progress of the story the spine of the character was lost so I bid adieu to the show.

Didn't you have any apprehensions of playing a father to Aamna when you're just 33?
No I had no apprehensions about playing older characters. I always choose strong characters, who have a say in the story. I am open to all sorts of roles. Many a times people are taken aback to find me looking so much younger in real life.

Has Balaji approached you post KTH?
Balaji kept offering me roles but somehow I couldn't give in because of commitments or some or the other reason. But if they come up with a strong character in any show I will surely grab it.

How did Kulvaddhu happen?
Maverick Productions called me and narrated the character of Samar Rathod. I liked it and here I am. As the plot unfolds, my role will have a variety of shades.

Do you think it is easy to get work on television?
It's very easy! There is a superfluity of channels, production houses and shows in this industry. But what is difficult is to get quality work! Very less people are inclined towards it.

How do you look back at your career?
In all, I have done more than fifty serials and a lot of films but I still feel I haven't got my due recognition. I have realized that everything in life has a right time.

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Kanupriya Pandit is from the theatre background. Her group is called Killol and their forte is children's theatre. I have two daughters Kavvya and Aatya.

Any passions other than acting?
It has to be music, singing, writing lyrics and poetry. I have given music to at least 25 plays.

http://www.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/jan/5jan/interview.php

How did acting happen?
I came to Bombay for three days, for business reasons, which to my luck got postponed for a while. I was exploring Bombay and my adventurous instincts suggested me to try out the ongoing auditions for an MTV show Roadies-2. As usual, I was lucky and was selected for the show. I got an opportunity to perform some very fearful acts and this made me realise my potential to do something beyond my dad's business. That is when my creative edge took over and I got inclined towards acting.

How did the journey begin?
I started with a cameo in Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi, which led to a cameo in Ayushman. Then a Bengali film came my way, in which I was cast with Mithun Chakraborthy. Dedication towards my work led me to two very challenging projects; Saat Phere, where I played a very bad guy- Karan, and Sanya where I was a cute, chocolate college going boy, always trying to impress everyone, especially Sanya.

Tell us about your family background?
I come from a business family from Jabalpur. We have an offset printing press and publishing house. My father is the one who taught me the way to live in the real world, and my mother over pampers me (laughs).

How did you bag the role in Kulvaddhu?
I went for the auditions after I received a call from the production house, Maverick. I was lucky to be selected.
n A little about your character and what is so special about it?
n I play Agni, a very strong but closed personality. He is individualistic and his urge to be a perfectionist makes him a loner. The entire family is scared of him, since he does not mingle with anyone, because of a defect in his left leg that makes him negative towards himself. None of the family members interferes in his world. He doesn't talk much and that's why his presence is his voice. He is the surprise package of the show and that makes him special. I am getting good feedback for my character.

How is the atmosphere on the sets of Kulvaddhu?
The atmosphere on the sets is very positive and fresh. Working with Milindji, Sussmitaji, Seemaji, and other actors of that genre makes the work more lively and exciting. Working with Daljit and Imraan too is fun as we gel really well. They are good at their work. So far, I have shot more with Daljit and she is just the right girl to play the central role of Niyati. Anuj Saxena is an extraordinary human being; extremely caring and keeps in tough with all his actors. Recently I
meet with an accident wherein a dog bit me on the sets and the amount of care he took was simply unbelievable. Since he is an actor himself, he knows exactly what an actor would require to put in his best efforts and he makes sure that all his actors get it. I'm sure everyone would want to work for Maverick shows.

Don't you want to do films?
If given a chance who would not like to work for films but as of now, I want to concentrate and give my best to my character in Kulvaddhu. I believe in doing one thing at a time.

Do you think it's easy to get work on television?
I think earning honest bread is never an easy task, especially if one is in such a competitive field like ours.

What is your philosophy of life…?
Each day we make many mistakes, blunders, which if combined together can be termed as experience. I believe in not regretting but learning from my mistakes. To me appreciation of work is more important than recognition. That's how I look at life.

What do you think of Mumbai city?
Mumbai is a colossal human habitat. Living in Mumbai is like living in a factory where dreams get transformed into realities, Yahan khane wale dus hain aur roti sirf do that's why you need to work 24X7 to make your life worth. Jabalpur, being a small town, things are very relaxed where as Mumbai runs at the fastest pace. Jabalpur always takes me back to my childhood.

What are your future plans?
To give my best to all what I do and improve with every new day. Right now, I am completely focussed on Kulvaddhu. I am sure my career will rock in 2007!

http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=xtras&am p;am p;subsection=showbuzz&xfile=January2007_tvtrack_standard 336&child=tvtrack

Till now it was the evil mother-in-law, a jealous daughter or a scheming brother/sister-in-law hailing from rich households who made life miserable for the sweet, simple heroine in most soaps.  Joining this evil gang is the bua. (paternal aunt). In many of the recent serials — Solaah Singaar, Zaara, Paraya Dhan, Betiyaan, Kuch Apne Kuch Paraye and Kulvaadhu — the new villains are the buas.

Says Sandeep Sikand, creative chief head of Sony TV, "The focus is on characters who can lure viewers. The wicked saas is always famous. To give a twist in our new show, Kulvadhu, the character of the bua is negative. At first it was the maussi (maternal aunt), but later we felt the bua would be a more influential negative character."

Anirudh Pathak, the script writer for Kulvadhu, has his own take. "Fiction is born from the cradle of fact. As a writer, I try to base my characters on real life. In Kulvadhu too you can say that about the character of a bua. In my research I found many instances wherein buas are responsible for family feuds. Hence the thought arose. I must admit though the writer alone cannot take this decision. He has to consult the creative head of the channel, the producer of the show and the director. Finally, it's a joint decision."

While Pathak is adamant about his research and blames buas for family miseries, Dheeraj Kumar, creator of another anti-bua show, Betiyaan that airs on Zee TV, has a different stand on this. "Oh please! Buas are not the source of evil in society. In television, someone has to be bad. So this time it's the bua. I had a very fruitful relationship with my aunt. In Betiyaan too we have two buas who are not hardcore villains. They are eccentric. Finally, it's all about the TRPs. If the audience likes a character then the show is a hit, otherwise the network chops it. Currently, the bad buas seem to be a hit."

Shushmita Mukherji, who essays the character of a negative bua in Kulvadhu says, "It's sad that in our industry we idolize some and demoralize the others. When we bring some character to life, like say of a bua, we ignore the social implication it would have on millions of viewers."  So it's up to the audience to treat it as a serial and not take it to heart. Because as long as the TRPs rise, the buas will have to remain bad.  (Sampurn)

http://www.deccan.com/TV%20Guide/TV%20GuideDescription.asp#B uas%20are%20the%20new%20villains%20on%20TV

Did you know that Imraan Khan, 'Shaurya' of Kulvaddhu fame, had serious plans of becoming a cardiac surgeon? Imraan tells us he was very keen to take up medicine as a profession. He even appeared for the pre-medical exams. His parents weren't aware though and when they found out they were very surprised. Because all along they were under the impression that Imraan, who took a keen interest in plays during his college days and was even a member of a theatre group called the Stage Door, would opt for a career in acting.
Well, that's what Imraan finally did.

He soon changed his mind. Today he is not only a well-known face on TV, thanks to soaps like Kulvaddhu and Saat Phere, but is also on the brink of taking a leap into Bollywood with Merchant-Ivory's next production.  Also, Imraan has another hidden talent. He's a food connoisseur. He not only likes to relish good food, but is also a good cook. According to our hero, he's a champion chef when it comes to preparing daal and daal ghosht.

http://www.deccan.com/TV%20Guide/TV%20GuideDescription.asp#H e%20could've%20been%20a%20doctor%20or%20even%20a%20cook !

Though she's going with the flow, Surbhi Tiwari is tired of a lot of things. From wearing sarees to playing the good bahu she's tired of them all. In fact, she is desperate to come out of her bahenji image and is asking production houses and channels to cast her in meaty, preferably negative, roles. "I've got my new portfolio done where I have worn swimsuits, minis and backless outfits. I hope the pictures will do the trick of convincing casting directors to consider me for bold and negative roles," she says but admits it's not easy to break the image on TV.

"It's not that I haven't done good roles. I've played the protagonist in a few shows. But I am bored of the monotony," she complains. "Variety is the spice of life and I want to do some spicy stuff. In the current scenario, negative roles are the best option for actors. There's a lot to perform in negative characters," she says.

On her role as the Rathore family bahu in Kulvaddhu, she says, "It's a positive role but the character has a past which makes it interesting though she will not do anything to break away from the family." Hari Mirchi Lal Mirchi, a comedy on DD, is the other show she's doing currently. "It's different and great fun. For a change, I am playing a dominating woman who orders others," she smiles. But her regret is that DD shows are not seen in metros.

Soon Surbhi will be seen in Aruna Irani's Doli Saja Ke Rakhna that'll be launched on Sahara next month. "Actually Arunaji had offered me a major role but before things could be finalised I was signed for Kulvaddhu. I couldn't say no to Arunaji either and so she offered me a smaller role which will require me to shoot for just five to six days in a month," she says.

About relationships, she's very clear. "I don't believe in short term relationships. A relationship is for life. In fact, I don't want to marry a guy from this industry. Life will be boring talking about shooting, shooting and more shooting. I want a change when I reach home. The guy has to be from some other profession," she says.

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