Sumeet back in a comedy
Sumeet Raghavan is back on the scene with another comedy Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo to be aired on SAB TV from December 14. As the title suggests it’s about him telling a lot of lies. “It seems like that but to be honest, I cannot tell you anything right now,” smiles Sumeet who loves doing comedies. “They are fast-paced and situational. Also, comedy comes naturally to me,” he quips. According to him, his character in the sitcom is unlike his other comic roles that had him as a hen-pecked husband or agony uncle. His co-artistes include Apara Mehta, Tiku Talsania and a couple of new faces. Sumeet was last seen in Ghar Ek Baat Hai and he recently appeared in a cameo in Lapataganj. Interestingly, his cameo in the latter fetched him a great response but Ghar Ki Baat Hai and his earlier outing Paani-Puri didn’t exactly do wonders for the actor, who won acclaim for his role in Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. “All serials can’t be Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, which has set a benchmark, and I am eagerly awaiting its sequel. But in the meantime, I have to move on and there are times when things don’t work out as you expect them to do so,” he reasons. The actor will soon be seen in a Vipul Shah film Kuch Love Jaisa with Rahul Bose and Shefali Shah. “It’s a serious role, I play Shefali’s husband,” he informs. He’s also done a small role in Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. “Karan had judged a reality show, Shava Shava, which I had won and he had expressed his desire to work with me. Though my role is very small, I am glad that at least he remembered me,” he says gratefully.

Mumbai under siege on NatGeo
It’s one year since Mumbai suffered the terrible terror attacks and Miditech has produced a documentary based on the tragedy for NatGeo. Called Inside: Mumbai Terror Attacks, the documentary tells the story through the eyes of people who witnessed the tragedy and who experienced it. “We wanted to give a objective look of what happened, though the stories are completely emotional. We spoke to an American guy David who with his girlfriend was at Leopold Cafe when the terrorists entered the hotel. David managed to escape from there with his girlfriend and ironically landed up in Taj, where other terrorists were holed up. Another guy, Ramnathan, was locked in his hotel room for hours before he was rescued,” explains Niret Alva of Miditech. They also have interviews with the National Security Guard director, police officials, media personalities and ministers. Alva has recreated most of the drama for which he shot at Leopold Cafe. “We didn’t shoot at the Taj because it was emotional and people didn’t want to revisit it,” he informs. Despite the emotional content, the makers have kept it understated and non-melodramatic. As Niret puts it, “It gives a 360 degree perspective of the events that unfolded at multiple locations, including important lessons learnt (or not!), action taken by the government and the question of whether we are adequately protected today from more such attacks.” The series will be aired on November 26 at 8 pm and 11 pm.

Rajshree Thakur in Bidaai…
Saat Phere’s Saloni is back in action. Rajshree Thakur aka Saloni is doing a cameo role of a lawyer in Rajan Shahi’s Sapna Babul Ka..Bidaai. She will be fighting the case as a prosecutor against Ranvir. In the show, she is pitted against Amarr Upadhyaay, who has come in as the defence lawyer. Says Rajshri, “I found the character to be very strong and interesting. I have worked with Rajan earlier in Saat Phere, which is why he approached me.” She will, however, be there only for six to seven episodes. Right now, Rajshri is not interested in taking up a full-fledged role in any serial. She, however, is open to hosting a reality show. Any takers?

Ousted Vinod wants Claudia to win
He had entered Bigg Boss just a week ago and already has been thrown out. Vinod Kambli is still coming to terms with it. “The game of Bigg Boss is more dangerous than cricket,” he declares dramatically. Shocked at his ouster and the plotting that the inmates are resorting to, he is however all praise for Claudia Ciesla whom he taught to sing and dance. “It was a very difficult task considering that she is a German but I managed and won 200 points,” he says proudly. What’s more he hopes the firang goes on to win Bigg Boss and “create history just like Shilpa Shetty who won Big Brother.”

From Wai to Nepal
The shoot for this serial started in a small village in Wai in Maharashtra and now Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo is all set to travel to the neighbouring country Nepal for a 15-day shoot. The protagonists Lali and Shekhar will be seen romancing in the beautiful valleys of Nepal. Said an excited Lali, “The story is set in Bihar and Nepal is just across the border. Hence the audiences will definitely find a connect with Nepal. The part which is going to be shot here is extremely vital for the story and will finally establish the Lali-Shekhar relationship.” Her co-star Shekhar can’t wait to pack his bags and board the plane. “I have already done my research on Nepal and its freezing out there. Visiting a cold country like Nepal during winter is going to be simply awesome!” he enthuses. The cast will primarily shoot in Pokhra and Kathmandu. The unit will also visit the Pashupatinath temple.