Out of the box-article

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Neetha

@niti_26

Voyager

Posted: 18 years ago

TELE EXPRESS

Out of the box

Piyush Roy

Virrudh
Thursday, 9.30 pm and 11 pm, Sony.
Rate: ****
Who's in it? Vikram Gokhale, Smriti Z Iraani, , Sushant Singh, Achint Kaur, Apara Mehta The story so far? It may seem like another take on the poor-boy-rich-girl love tale with a machinating dad playing spoilsport. However, Virrudh's difference lies in its exploration of myriad dimensions of failed relationships in a rich dysfunctional family. It's led by an autocratic millionaire Dhirendra Raisinghania, played to seasoned perfection by the 60- plus Vikram Gokhale, in a role not too dissimilar from his last TV outing (Kuch ApneKuch Paraye). Raisinghania dotes on his favourite daughter Vasudha (Iraani), who incidentally happens to be illegitimate and aware of it. And his being a media tycoon (he owns a newspaper) helps merge a host of characters from his professional setup into the family story, sharing more than a bystander's take in the boss' family affairs. For starters, Raisinghania's chief crime reporter Sushant Sharma (Singh) is already in love with Vasudha, which her father predictably frowns upon.

What's hot? Kamlesh Pandey's applause-worthy dialogue; taut editing sans the mandatory zip-zap-zoom camera effects that seem to define the excitement level in our soaps and a great ensemble cast that's a mix of some of the best current TV talent and veterans from Doordarshan. Iraani and Gokhale deliver, but it's the well etched out supporting cast that's a treat to watch. Be it in Ashwini Kalsekar's subtle menace act as a page three editor or Achint Kaur's perennially inebriated elder daughter act. The eminently talented Kaur is finally seen in a long overdue acting role beyond her assumed forte at playing vamps. Anjan Srivastav endears in his editor act with a signature politically correct helplessness that reminds one of his everyman act of Wagle. Even the grey in the other characters isn't a gimmick-induced aberration. What's not? The too many cardboard siblings towards the tail end of the Raisinghania family will hopefully get to showcase their mettle. Singh could do with a little less frowning. Scoop-searching journalists need not always be fighting or frustrated. Govind Namdeo's umpteenth take of a scheming politician has nothing new to offer. Should you be watching it? Perhaps to assure yourself that good writing and quality content too can happen on TV in an era of me-too soaps with production line creativity and unidirectional non-acting. Producer-actor Iraani's conviction to allow other characters make a mark with often better lines than her needs to be applauded. Move over Tulsi, Vasudha could well emerge Iraani's new character identity.

Edited by niti_26 - 18 years ago