here is an article on love story.got from tellychakkar
"Bigger channels don't provide me sukh"
Anurag Basu
Anurag Basu - does this name ring a bell? No no don't confuse it with Kassauti's Bong beta played by Cezzane. We are discussing the once-upon-a-time TV director (Tara, Koshish Ek Aasha, etc.), and now a renowned film director (Murder, Gangster, Metro…) 'Anurag Basu'.
Life has come full circle for this accomplished man who is he all set make a splash once again on the TV circuit with SAB's Love Story.
Red is what aptly describes Anurag's new show - An intriguing premix of passion, violence, hardcore reality with an added dose of fun and youth. The story weaves a narrative with various sub plots; two rival gangs, notorious families, dirty politics, shady underworld and a conscientious cop. Couple this with a juvenile love story shot at varied locales across the country. We think the director is sure to re-define television viewing.
On the verge of the show's roll out in a few days, Seema Pherwani meets up with Basu on the sets to find out aakhir kya hain yeh Love Story. Excerpts:
"We'll try to be distinctive with our show" - Anurag Basu
So you are back on the small screen. How passionate are you about this project?
SAB TV assured me that they would let me do 'something different'; that's when I gave my consent to make a passionate love story for them. But I don't know how far the small screen will allow me with this fervour. Lekin ab hum jangh mein kud pade hain (But now we've are ready to fight the battle). So we'll try to be distinctive with our show.
But how different can one really get with a love story on the TV; after all it's all about a girl meets boy?
I agree. Even I am applying the same basic concept but with a rather realistic touch to it. My characters have been etched out differently. The older couple played by Harsh Chayya and Rupa Ganguly are separated and Akash, their only son can't handle this. The story explores this father-son relationship. The story oscillates between various sub-plots and the screenplay between the past and present mode. The fun factor will be sufficed by a fresh, young star cast.
Like other shows, you too have roped in new talent.
What to do? On television, actors don't become as popular compared to their characters. When people get saturated with a character they don't want to see him again. Very few people like Harsh Chayya have been zeroed in for Love Story as they are selective about their work and are worth their craft.
What were the criteria for channel selection? Why SAB TV and not a bigger name?
See a bigger channel does guarantee me TRPs from day one, but they don't promise me sukh (happiness) or creative satisfaction. In today's market, it doesn't matter what genre you're tackling. If you handle any story sincerely and honestly; it will hit bull's eye. Today you see soaps which are just filling in scenes. Tell me, if you remove a shot from a show it doesn't make a difference to the story, so what is it's worth? At that rate even if one misses their favourite soap for three weeks, he hasn't missed much (smirks).
Harsh Chhaya and Rupa Ganguly - Actors of Basu's Love Story
Point noted. As Love Story is primarily a college drama, do we expect a glossy packaging for it?
Nowadays every college turns out to be a Karan Johar college. Though our look is rich, stylish and contemporary, we are also shooting at various locations in Delhi, Haryana and Mumbai.
You have been successful with your movies. What factors as per your set this medium apart from television?
Not much, except in films once a bullet is fired it can't be retrieved. Also the stakes are high. But for TV shows one can re-shoot, alter the story or even change the actors for that matter. But all in all it's pretty complex, we can't take the storyline for granted and keep planning for the future. What I am shooting now will actually go on air in the sixth month.
What changes has the TV industry undergone between your first innings till now?
Oh nothing much has changed. The same stuff is happening even now since the time I left television behind. Producers are only concerned about stretching their story and this stems from their insecurity, 'what next if my show ends?'
here's d original link:-
http://us.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/apr/20apr/interview_basu.php
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this is an article about how love story was worked from being a movie to being a tv show (relevant parts in blue) _________________________ 'Realistic portrayal of big city existence' | |
| Shivali Tripathi talks to Anuraag Basu about his return into the world of television with 'Love Story', and his latest film 'Life in a Metro'. | |
| He was just eighteen when he directed Tara, a much talked about and successful TV serial of Zee TV. Anuraag Basu became an important name of Indian Television after that. However, he bid adieu to TV and got into feature film making. He started with Saya and went on to direct Murder, Tum Sa Nahin Dekha, and Gangster. His next film Life In A Metro is ready for release. The other big news is that in spite of his success as a filmmaker, he is getting back to directing a TV serial titled Love Story that went on air very recently on SAB TV. What made you return to TV?
Love Story was conceived and written as a film. We realised that a subject as vast as this could not be compressed into a film. So, we decided to develop it as a TV soap opera. And after a gap of four years, I am back to TV. ________________________________ original link: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may62007/enter18541 0200755.asp |
this is an article about anurag basu's opinion on the indian television industry and how love story is different (relevant parts about love story are in green)
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TV stars are like prostitutes: Anurag Basu
After a 4year long hiatus, well know director Anurag Basu (of Tara and Koshish- Ek Asha fame) is back on the sets with SAB TV's, Love Story.
Why did you stop directing TV serals after 'Koshish'?
As a creative person, I cannot do the same stuff over and over again. Today, on television people just repackage the old stories and present them to the viewers. I am sorry, but I really cannot not be a part of this unhappy situation.
So is 'Love Story' genuinely different?
See, it's almost impossible to tell a brand new story that's never been done before, but what we can do is, present the story differently. Our story for this serial is based on the campus-romance of the protagonists (played by Mishal Raheja and Payal Sarkar), which falls victim to political and social machinations.
We even explore how the separation of the parents (Harsh Chaya and Rupa Ganguly) affects their child (Akash) over the years. Also, we will be looking the goon and gun culture prevalent in today's colleges. I will not be showing fictious colleges, where everything is sweet and hunky dory.
Why do you think the Content-quality is dropping these days?
What do you expect when serials are shot a few days before they are supposed to go on air? Ideally a serial maker should be given six months time during which work on a good story and create a sufficient bank. But here we start with just with 10 episodes canned, and so the shortage continues, till the very end, affecting the over all quality.
What do you to say about today's TV stars?
They are just like prostitutes! All they are interested is how much they can make per day. Hence they run from shoot to shoot, without really bothering about the quality of their work. It's because of this very behavior, that TV stars have a short span of life. They only shine until their serial is on, or until they are replaced.
How do you think one can replicate the success of the Saas-Bahu sagas?
Simple, find a few old Hindi-film stories and incorporate them in your serial. This is what Ekta has been doing successfully over the years. Even my Balaji hit, 'Koshish', was based on Jeentendra's 'Jyoti'.
Why do you think most film folk shun TV? And what made you decide otherwise?
You see, I will never degrade a fast-growing medium. But the main problem, at least in technical department, is that nobody knows whose the director. And all creative people hanker for recognition; which is why many of my friend's have quit television for the big screen.
Most of the shows even have a certain 'creative director'?
God! These guys interfere in every aspect of serial making. And the worst part is that they have no creative bone in their body.
Do you think the prevailing trends in television will change ?
Yes it will – it has always been a cycle of sorts. Till some years ago, mythological serials ruled the roost and now we have the family dramas. Possibly, next the genre of reality television will dominate.
What type of reality show will run?
Talent show's like 'Indian Idol' and 'Saregama', which show the rag to riches story have a greater chance at success.
What about 'Big Boss'?
'Big Boss' did not do too well. It could be either because the chosen celebrities were not up to the mark. Or, maybe because since the real-stuff was not aired due to our cultural sensibility and that is what makes such reality shows click. - Anil Merani
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original link:
http://123india.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=14457
this is an article about rupa ganguly who plays ritu, akash's mother in love story about why she took up love story and her views on divorces (relevant information is in pink)
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Draupadi's Back!
Rupa Ganguly rose to fame as Draupadi from the television series Mahabharat. After this, the talented actress went off to Calcutta in search of meaty roles. Now after a long sabbatical, she will be seen in Anurag Basu's Love Story on Sab TV.
In a candid chat with tellychakkar.com, Rupa tells us all about her second innings on the small screen.
You rose to fame with B R Chopra's Mahabharat. Why did you leave television after that?
I was greedy and hungry for good work so I left tellywood . I was doing Bengali feature films with reputed filmmakers like Rituparno Ghosh and Gautam Ghosh. Though these films haven't really been seen by people here, but there's a section of society who has appreciated these films.
What were the other reasons?
I am a very simple girl from a middle class background. Thodi si acting kar li (just did a bit of acting) and that was a big achievement for me. I could never wear skimpy clothes and do films here in Mumbai. This was the trend those days.There were no heroine oriented films .I did one film but somehow it didn't click though it did good business. Also, I would run away to Calcutta every second day. I also I wanted to get married at the right age and have children. Now, I am happily married and have a ten year old son Aakash.
Why have you taken up Love Story now?
Well Anurag Basu also happens to be a Bengali and he knows the kind of work I do. So when he offered me this role, he told me I would be playing mother to Aakash in the serial. I jumped at the offer since I could identify so much with this character.
Tell us a bit about the role?
I play Ritu who's married to a very honest and upright policeman. Somehow, both cannot get along and decide to separate. The story reflects on how the unhappy marriage and separation affects their son Aakash, Later on, as he grows up, one see a drastic change in his behavioural pattern. Ritu gets into another relationship with a friend but then she doesn't want to get too involved in it because of her son. Love Story is about relationships and the way Anurag has tackled it, the script runs like a film.All the episodes are connected and weaved in an interesting way.
You have also signed on Kasturi?
In Kasturi I play one of the bahus who's a great pillar of strength for lead protagonist.
What are your views on marriage and divorce?
I suppose in today's world, one is too busy with duniya dari, maintaining one's own lifestyle and building a career. Sometimes it becomes very difficult for two people to live together In the olden day, noone had any option but today we have options. Now for the last 18 years, I am earning my own money and leading my own life. I think seperation and divorce are never a solution. But if the fights are getting too ugly for a couple then its better to part ways. There are no perfect people in this world. If two people are alike, there are problems and if they think differently even then there are problems.
These two serials in hand would take away most of your time?
Both the serials put together take away more than twenty days of shooting in a month. Now my son has grown up and he can take care of himself. I am very happy to be here.
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original link:
http://www.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/apr/27apr/interview_rupa.ph p
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