Vaidehi Archive Articles--NO COMMENTS - Page 3

"In television, looks matter a lot. I wish the focus was on acting abilities"

Posted on 10 April 2004

If you thought that the youth of today pursues a career in the same line as their education, this one is for you! Manav Gohil, for one, never dreamt that he would be an actor. Quietly, he did his B Com and MBA from Baroda and started a marketing consultancy firm where he trained company recruits on the art of selling their products. But destiny had other plans. Suddenly struck by glamour, he began his long drawn out struggle with an aim in mind that he won't let it go. Today, he is a known face on the tube.

Fast forward. After being bumped off unceremoniously in Miditech's Saara Akaash (Star Plus) which he claims was a case of 'changing tracks', he was doing quite a decent job in Manshaa (Zee TV). Now that the serial is over and done with, we were wondering if he was going to be twiddling his toes big time. But hey, here he comes in Sony's CID.

The time is right to meet this tall, dark and unconventional looker. Excerpts from an interview by indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani.


How did a management personnel become an actor?
Just for a lark, I participated in a pageant in Ahmedabad which saw me crowned as 'Man of Gujarat'. The crown on my head started doing the talking, or rather, spinning my head. 'Why shouldn't I go to Bombay and try my tryst at modelling and television?' Cut to Mumbai. I stayed as a paying guest in Napeansea Road. I got a few screen tests, but failed. I felt intimidated; I couldn't speak when the moment came.


That must have been disappointing?
Disappointing? That was terrible. I was advised to join formal training in acting. I asked some money from my dad and enrolled under Kishor Namit Kapoor (pauses).


Go on...
I started doing theatre under the hope that someone from films and television would give me my first break. Time was running out, in the sense, my finances were getting dried up. Those days, theatre didn't have the market what it enjoys today. I was getting terribly frustrated. I don't know why but I didn't feel like going back.

And one fine day, I went to the UTV office asking for a role. I met a gentleman called Tripathi and told him that I wouldn't leave until I got some role in any of their shows. He obliged me with the role of a compounder in C.A.T.S. Luckily I was noticed. And then, Janam Samjha Karo and Chudiyan happened.


After which you got into the Balaji camp?
Not immediately thereafter. After Choodiyan, there was a small gap before I was offered Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. Actually, Ekta had seen me in my struggle days. Once I was shooting for a pilot of a Balaji show called Kavita. The show was aired on DD, but the casting was changed. Ekta had dropped in there for some reason. Everybody got up to greet her. I don't know why but I thought that I should not give her too much importance as I didn't know her.

Later, I went to her office to collect my money. Incidentally, she walked out of her cabin at the same time. I said "Hi Ekta, I am Manav Gohil." She looked impressed, maybe by the fact that I had avoided that 'chamchagiri' which other people usually do. Anyway, she told the Kahaani... EP to cast me in the role of Vikram. Post Kahaani..., I did Kkusum, Kasautii... and Kahaani Terri Meri.


But you disappeared from 'Kahaani…' without an explanation as to how the character was terminated?
Did I? (smiles) I know what you mean. Rinku (Chaya, my wife in the serial) and I (Vikram) were packed off abroad in the story. Initially I thought that this was just a temporary phase and I would either be shown landing back in India or doing a few scenes from abroad, but… (shrugs). At this point of time, Balaji Telefilms called me for Kkusum.


"Ekta Kapoor is a very hard task master"


But you disappeared from 'Kkusum' as well?
I was doing Kkusum and Kasauti Zindagii Kay simultaneously. I guess, both the roles were somewhat similar, both demanding me to suspect my wife. I went to the US for a few shows...


Sorry to interrupt you, but Ekta Kapoor is a very hard task master. Did she allow you to go for such a long time?
Yes, she is a very hard task master. She had her apprehensions in letting me go, but she didn't say much I guess because firstly, my roles were not so prominent and secondly I had given her a three month prior notice. There were five people from the Balaji camp who were going for the same show. Three of them who had major roles in the serials did face some kind of problem.


Go on…
While in the US, I had some time to myself. I thought that I was getting straitjacketed in the two serials without doing anything significant. The story in both the serials had no focus on me anymore. I was just hanging in the background. So when I came back from the US, I spoke with Ekta and told her that I had lost interest in Kkusum and Kasauti… She offered me the lead role in Kahaani Terri Merri. At this point of time, I started getting lots of offers- Mulk, Kum Kum, Saara Akaash. I thought things were changing in my favour, but… only if life was so easy!


But you did 'Kahani Terri Merri'?
But it wasn't before I underwent a period of hurt and agony. After Ekta and I spoke that day, I did not get any call from Balaji Telefilms and I started to get restless. I gave a call to Balaji Telefilms and learnt that they had already casted someone else for that character. I felt very hurt. At least, they could have informed me. I dropped Mulk and Kumkum thinking that I would be doing the lead in KTM. I had planned to allot three weeks for KTM and one week for Saara Akaash. Later, Ekta called me and asked if I wanted to do some other role in KTM or do Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, but I refused. A week later, I got a call from Balaji Telefilms that the guy whom they'd chosen as a lead in KTM was not happening.


And the agony intensified when 'KTM' went off the air abruptly?
(Smiles) Still, I got a platform to enact a lead. Thereafter, I started getting calls for better roles which were better than the ones that I had played before. Those who mattered began to see me in a different light.


"Saara Akaash, underwent some major changes because Star Plus wanted the family angle to come in as those days, there was a fear of CAS and they wanted to play safe"


What went wrong with 'KTM'?
There was a major communication gap between the concept and its implementation. A lot of re-shooting had to be done and we were struggling to make a bank. Ekta was doing her film at that time and she could not devote much time. By the time she looked into it, she made some major changes. But it was too late. Things had gone haywire. There was even a dispute between Balaji and Sony Entertainment Television; Balaji had projected the show as big as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and SET said that they could not pay that much as the show was not fetching the TRPs.


And then?
I was shooting for Saara Akaash, which underwent some major changes because Star Plus wanted the family angle to come in. But then I don't blame them. Those days, there was a fear of conditional access system (CAS). So they wanted to play safe. Alongside, I did Mansha.


Does PR help in the TV industry?
To a certain extent only. But, looks matter a lot. I wish the focus was on acting abilities. Everything has become so glossy. Today, a serial like Buniyaad where the lights were slightly dim, will not sell. The channel will immediately complain and will want the cameraman changed.


Are you a methodical actor?
I was a methodical actor. But now, I am in the process of becoming a spontaneous actor. I can't go on rubbing my nose and think for every scene. I want to evolve from that phase. I want to get into the skin of my character that emotions come pretty quickly to me.


Do you prefer your directors to give you flexibility?
I like my directors to give me a little flexibility in the way I enact my scenes. If a particular scene is okayed by my directors and I feel that I could do it better, then I ask for a retake.


How did 'C.I.D' happen?
BP Singh called me and I could see that he was offering something very meaty to me. I have always had a fascination for thrillers. And I am sure that I'll enjoy every minute doing this one.


Why did you opt out of 'Saara Akaash'?
I have not opted out of Saara Akaash. I was shown dead and my track stopped there. Presently, I am talking to them and my track might restart again. But I really don't know when that will happen because I am supposed to go abroad for a month for my play Uncle Samjha Karo. For the time being, I am involved with building a bank for C.I.D which would be utilised while I'm away.


"In a serial, tracks and focus keep changing. An actor should keep doing his work without thinking too much"


But Manish Gohil and Anuj Saxena have firmly opted out saying that the entire focus is on Sai Deodhar...
(Interrupts) Even I think that way. But I am game to restart playing my role. In a serial, tracks and focus keep changing. An actor should keep doing his work without thinking too much.


Are you going to be an integral part of 'C.I.D' from here on?
Yes. I'll be playing the role of Daksh who is this happy-go-lucky cop. He is shown to be just back from the US and is now part of the crackforce team.


Have you been told how many episodes you will be doing?
No, I haven't been told.

What is the difference between doing a play and a serial?
I have become habituated to doing serials. But I still get very nervous when I go my first shot of every show of the play. Performing live in front of a crowd without any room for error is altogether a different experience. But then, it has it's advantages.

Like what?
That nervous feeling breeds insecurity which in turn brings out the best from me (smiles).

[color=red]Ours is a friendship turned into habit turned into love turned into marriage" – Manav Gohil

He was recently in the news with his marriage to hottie Shweta Kwatra of Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki fame. The couple seemed to set the trend for romantic liaisons of television stars, culminating in marriage in real life. But there's more to Manav than just his hunky good looks. With a string of television serials to his credit, he is more recently making waves as co-anchor with actress Mandira Bedi, on Fame Gurukul on Sony, a one of it's kind musical talent hunt. What is on Manav's to do list in the near future? Is he making a transition from actor to anchor? Does he have any hot tips for the about to be married, based on his own marital experiences? Let's find out from the charming man himself...

1. What are the current programmes we can see on television?
Besides Fame Gurukul, it's CID (On Sony) and I am also doing an episode of a new show called Paisa Bhari Padega. It is a kind of race through the woods and includes adventure sports. So am quite looking forward to that. Besides these, I am waiting for Fame to finish this season… that happens in October, after which I might look at more scripts.

2. What are the roles you have enjoyed doing till date?
I have enjoyed almost all of them but if I had to pick, I would say I enjoyed Flt. Lt. Jatin Gohil in Saara Akash, and Dhruv in Kahani Teri Meri.

3. Fame Gurukul is your first stint as anchor. Are you making a transition? How has the experience been so far?
Well. yes this is the first time I am anchoring a show. I went through a few auditions for it and finally made it. It was a month long process before I signed the contract. Anchoring is demanding but fun. It is a little different from acting. When you act you are addressing a character or two or a group, but while anchoring you are addressing the entire country.... perhaps more. You are not a character, you are Manav. It is a lot of hard work but gives you a good kick at the end of the day. Challenges are always welcome you see...

4.Do you plan to take the route to films like others in your profession?
Plans.... no. Dreams.... yes. I think I will want to venture out into films as well but as of now I am not planning it. Perhaps I am not good at marketing myself so I am procrastinating.... I know it is time I should. Let's see when I start trying for it.

5.Tell us about your romance and marriage with the hot Shweta Kawatra? It took the telly world by storm!
I met Shweta in the work orbit and we grew as friends. Real good friends. She would help me with my female associates and I would lend a friendly hand when she needed one. But soon we, I first, realised that we started missing each other when we were away. So in short ours is a friendship turned into habit turned into love turned into marriage case. She is a gem. Couldn't have asked for more.


6.What are the pressures and pleasures of this telly marriage?
The pressure is as normal as any man would suffer from his wife:) and so are pleasures. Ya one thing is that we don't have a 9 to 5 job schedule. We have very erratic work hours. It could be from 7 am to 10 pm. At times 7 pm to 7 am or it could be anything. So being from the same industry, there is more understanding over time factor. She would not question me ' kal poori raat kahaan thhey?'

7. Any tips on how to make a marriage work, for our readers?
I think a right balance to strike is the most difficult thing is such days of competition and stress. As a husband I can say, one needs to give sufficient time and love to his wife, even if it means sacrificing on your sleep or TV or at times work. On the other hand there should be enough space given (and taken) or else it becomes little overbearing with opinions and altercations.

8. How has the journey been from bachelor to husband? Can you spare any pointers for us?
I think it's been a beautiful journey. When a bachelor, enjoy to the fullest as one. When a husband, enjoy the relationship and the responsibilities as well. One grows in a relationship. Honour your decision and try and find happiness in what you have instead of looking out for it. Life could be much more beautiful. For all the husbands, here's what i have to say.... Arguing with your wife is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, after sometime you realise that you are getting dirty and the pig is enjoying it.

9. How do you spend your time together?
Lazying around. Going for dinners (we both are major foodies). Films. Gym. et al. We don't have a lot of leisure time together actually:)

10. Any favourite spots to visit?
Manhattan it has been so far.

11. Do you help each other both at home and at work?
Ya I do things at home barring getting into the kitchen, as I don't have the passion to cook. (Only to eat). We discuss work and I do advice her on issues of finances and what script sounds good and all that. We also share our views over a scene that I did or she did.... critical evaluation of the art

12. What qualities do you admire in her and vice versa?
I like her honesty. She cannot conceal what's in her mind. She is caring, understanding, compatible and we both are willing to improve and grow in the relationship. About me, you will have to ask her

'Getting a holiday is an ordeal'



HIRAL DHOLAKIA Times News Network



How do you spend your Sunday?
Honestly, being an actor, every day is a working day for me. But I have no complaints since I enjoy what I am doing. But when I am home, I like spending time with my wife and my pet Mogli. Going out for dinner with family and friends is one thing I look forward to. In the evenings, I also enjoy playing cricket with kids from our apartment. Afternoons are meant for catching up on sleep after a nice Punjabi meal and a huge glass of lassi. If I can manage a longer break, I pick up lot of DVDs. There have been days when I watched four films at a stretch. I enjoy watching international cinema as you get to know about various cultures. Once in a while, I do watch Indian films but I am selective about them.
How often do you visit your hometown Vadodara?
It's only once in a while that I visit my place. But whenever I do, it's not for more than a day or two which are completely dedicated to spending time with my parents.
What's your favourite getaway?
Mountains are my favourites. But I have not been able to have a holiday in the mountains because of hectic work schedules. I have not taken a two-day break to even
drive down to Lonavala-Khandala with my wife. Getting a holiday is an ordeal in Mumbai. Even if I do manage, I know I will
get an urgent call for a screen test or a shoot and I will be rushing back. Since my wife and I are working together on some projects, we get opportunities to travel. We have been to USA, France and Dubai.
How do you relax?
If I am home in the evenings, I like watching the sunset from my terrace. I like to see the way the colour of the sky changes. Seldom do we get to see an open sky in Mumbai. hiral.dholakia@timesgroup.com

Manav Gohil, Star of C I D and Fame Gurukul

''I have a nice life and a nice wife. No complaints at all,'' smiles actor Manav Gohil, who you see in C.I.D. (Sony) and the recently premiered Fame Gurukul that he hosts along with Mandira Bedi. A couple of months ago, he tied the knot with actress Sweta Kawatra. ''Life has gotten better in terms of relationships, work, my own self. There have been a few changes of course — for the better. I have become move responsible,'' says Gohil. Besides C.I.D. which is constantly doing well, he now anchors one of the biggest shows — Fame Gurukul (Sony) — which is Gohil's first attempt to play host. ''I haven't done anchoring before. What I also realised is that as an actor you keep doing the same thing every day especially in a daily soap. You start taking yourself for granted. I want to do work that in challenging. I want to do work that gets me going. So I am quite happy with Fame Gurukul,'' says Gohil, who accepts that anchoring is a different ball game. He says that, initially, it was a bit difficult, mainly because as an actor ''you talk to other characters, whereas a host talks to the live audience. So far so good. I would say. I am learning every day. I have done a lot of homework. I have been reading Hindi extensively. Been into theatre... worked really hard. I have a great team to support me and Mandira is very cooperative, friendly and supportive. So it's nice,'' he says.

Fame Gurukul, which hit Sony a short while ago, is a sure shot the actor thinks because of the concept ''which is fabulous. It's a Spanish show, a formated show which has travelled a lot and has been very successful. So I am sure it will work,'' says Gohil who's come a long way from his first appearance in CATS, the three-crime busting woman service telecast on Sony a few years ago.

''When I look back I feel like laughing. I was quite funny then. I can't watch myself. Though I feel quiet proud of myself now,'' he states. As of now life couldn't get better with two good shows on air. Life is hectic and currently the actor isn't thinking of anything else ''I am busy for the next couple of months with these two shows. I don't have time to think about future,'' he says.

'Vaidehi' will grip male audiences too: Aroona Irani
Subhash K. Jha

One of Bollywood's most enduring character actresses, Aroona Irani has taken on the role of TV producer with gusto and says her new soap "Vaidehi - Ek Aur Agnipariksha" on STAR Plus will lure male audiences too.

Talking about her stint on TV, she told IANS: "Kya karoon' The roles in movies have dried up. There are no moms in Hindi films any longer. All the artistes from my generation are sitting idle at home. So I am just happy making serials and casting myself in a plum role in them.

"In my new soap 'Vaidehi' I have a very nice role. I have decided to do a role in my own serial but only when it's worth doing. Otherwise, I have decided to work in serials outside my production house. Nothing much is left for me to do in films. So far, I was doing any role that required me in my serials. No more of that. Now I'll only be seen on television in good roles."

When asked about the other successful TV tycoon Ekta Kapoor, she said: "Ekta Kapoor is Ekta Kapoor. She's doing really good work. I am working hard. Whether it's Ekta or me, we have to give viewers what they want. We can only serve the food that our guests want. What's the point of cooking rice in kesar when the invitees don't want it' I cannot waste my time, effort and money."

Aroona's previous soap "Rabba Ishq Na Hove" came a cropper on Zee but she says failure is part of life.

"It happens. Everyone, no matter how successful, goes through a bout of non-success. Even Raj Kapoor and Yash Chopra have given flops. I am sure even David Lean had his lean phase. Success ratios have their way of finding their level.

"But I was very happy with 'Rabba Ishq Na Hove'. Everyone liked it. But I was disappointed. Once you taste a spicy pickle you want it to spice up your life constantly."

In "Vaidehi", Aroona has moved away from her favourite actress Sangeeta Ghosh.

"Sangeeta is doing other shows. When 'Rabba Ishq Na Hove' didn't catch on, Sangeeta got into another serial. By the time the protagonist in 'Vaidehi' began to concretise I needed an ordinary working class girl who could look like she lives in a chawl. That's how my heroine Pallavi Kulkarni looks...very innocent, one of the crowd."

Aroona promises a different experience in "Vaidehi".

"It's about a girl who spurns marriage to a rich man and how he finally brings her around. After marriage she encounters a weird problem in her in-laws' house.

"I'm sure every woman in the audience will identify with Vaidehi's predicament. And why just women' Why do we restrict our soaps to female gender' 'Vaidehi' will grip male audiences too. Like all my serials, 'Vaidehi' is totally different from what I have done so far.

"But again I go into the territory of love and passion. Is there any life without love' It needn't be the love of a husband or boyfriend. There are so many kinds of love in this universe. Love needn't be about a man and woman alone."

"Vaidehi" replaces "Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin" on Sony Entertainment. Isn't Aroona scared of audiences comparing her show with the earlier one'

"I have never shied away from competition. My first show on STAR Plus was the super-successful 'Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand'. And that replaced 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. God has to be on one's side. I believe 'Rabba Ishq No Hove' didn't work because god wasn't on our side. It started last year on July 26 when Mumbai was swept away by the rains.

"We had to re-telecast the first episode because of the downpour. The soap went downhill from there. Call it bad luck, call it anything."

She is optimistic now. "'Vaidehi' is my only baby right now. I have no movies on hand. People think I am not working. And the directors in Bollywood don't have any roles for me. I will play good roles on TV."

Vaidehi embarrassed!



Reena Thapar Kapoor



Pallavi Kulkarni, known for her role in Vaidehi recently found herself embarrassed at a shopping mall. After an hour-long shopping spree, when the actress dipped into her wallet for her credit card for making payment, she realised that she had misplaced both her debit and credit cards.

Kulkarni had a day off so she had headed to a shopping mall with a bunch of friends. "I was not shooting so I decided to make the most of it. My friends planned this shopping trip. It seemed like a good idea as it has been a while since I've pampered myself," she says.

An excited Kulkarni went berserk picking up innumerable clothes and accessories. An hour later when she was tired, she decided to stop, and headed towards the cash counter. There, much to her horror, she realised that her debit and credit cards had gone missing. "I had seen them in my bag earlier. It was a scary moment. Yes, it's the money as well. But it can get very embarrassing when you discover that you've walked into a mall to shop without money or credit cards," she says.

However, the staff at the store helped her to cancel her card. And yes, the store also delivered all the goods to her house

Saas, Bahu and Football!

July 7, 2006

Sachin Sharma
Aryavardhan in Vaidehi
Of course, I will watch the final! The time difference is a boon in disguise for me. I do one weekly soap -- the shooting of which gets over by 9 pm -- so I don't foresee any problem in returning home in time for the match.

For the final, my friends will come to my place and we will watch the match together. I am a die-hard France supporter and will invite my friends who are supporters of Italy so that we can fight during the match!

I hope France wins. That will be the best farewell gift for Zidane.

Impotency should be accepted like HIV'

Farhana Farook
Sunday, July 09, 2006 17:01 IST



Actor Sachin Sharma has done what would be considered professional
hara kiri by most. He has dared to play the impotent scion,
Aryavradhan Jaisingh, of an industrialist family in Aroona Irani's
show 'Vaidehi' (Sony). Moreover, after playing the simple Krishna
in 'Kahanii Ghar Ghar Ki' and a lover boy in 'Tumhari Disha', this
is an outright negative role.

But Sachin says without apprehensions, "It's a great opportunity
which I am grateful for. You don't get these roles often."

Based on a true life account of a middle-class girl conned into
marrying an impotent tycoon, the show traces her trauma and fight.

Sachin had to prepare the ground to play this layered character. He
says, "Aryavardhan has accepted his inadequacy and behaves very
normally in public. He has a very stylish persona. The contact
lenses were added to enhance the cold look."

Sachin feels strongly about blowing the lid off impotency. He
says, "We should accept impotency as we have HIV. Unless you do not
come out with it, there can be no cure."

He continues, "Impotency has different stages and its treatment
depends on that. Misleading a woman into marriage is definitely
wrong. But men suffering from it should not feel discarded either."

On his rapport with co-actor Pallavi Kulkarni, who plays 'Vaidehi',
he says, "She is very comfortable to work with and has no airs.
There should be a give and take between the actors where dialogues
and expressions are concerned. She lends that to our scenes."

Quiz him about the appreciation he receives from female fans and
Sachin says softly, "I turn shy and speechless when girls call me
cute and handsome." Prod him to reveal what kind of a woman would he
feel attracted to and he shoots, "I like a woman who values
tradition yet is open-minded, someone who is close to her roots, a
beauty with brains."

He adds, "If her values are sound, whether a woman wears saris or
western outfits, she can never look cheap."

k_farhana@...

No hurry for films

Snighda Akolkar who is playing the protagonist Shyamlee aka Guddi in Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiya recently shot for a documentary that deals with the Indian culture. The film was shot in Delhi and is being readied for a festival release. "At this point I cannot reveal more about the docu-drama but yes it is a lovely subject," says Snighda. Currently, Snighda who's sporting a new look in Hare... says that it is a challenge to play the role of a person who is supposed to have lost her memory. "It's quite difficult to bring the expressions and feelings of a person who has amnesia but is trying to remember her past." The actress is also doing Vaidehi in which she plays Aryan's ex-wife Janaki. "Everybody thought she was dead but she has come back and will be the key point in the serial who will reveal what happened to her before Vaidehi came into Aryan's life," explains the actress. She claims to be getting film offers but is biding her time before she makes the jump from small-screen to the big screen.