Balram to Bhim
Chetan Hansraj is probably the only actor to have the distinction of being a part of`both the Mahabharats on TV. Chetan who is playing Bhim in Ekta Kapoor’s Kahaani Hamary Mahabharat Ki had played the young Balram in Ravi Chopra’s Mahabharat. “I remember it clearly. I used to find it difficult to mouth the dialogue because it was too sanskritised,” grins Chetan. Though the actor is playing Bhim, the other characters he likes are Arjun and Duryodhan which have a lot of scope for an actor. He, however, wasn’t given a choice and is happy playing Bhim who he feels shared a “cute relationship” with Draupadi. “He was very friendly and Draupadi found him the most approachable,” smiles Chetan who is also part of Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket on 9X. The actor had already made a foray into films but couldn’t really sustain. “That doesn’t matter, you get all kinds of experiences,” says Chetan who is ready to give it another try through the show.

Sandeep Anand too fast too soon!
Sandeep Anand who plays Tarun Pahuja in Sun Yaar Chill Maar on Bindaas has done it all. We mean he has donned all the possible characters one gets to play. And that too in just one single show. He has played a cowboy, a Prithvi Raj Chauhan, a Salim, a seventy -year old man, to name a few. Says Sandeep, “I’m very fortunate to have got this opportunity of playing so many characters in a short span of time. I have learnt a lot with experience and some by utter wrong moves. The journey so far has been worth every effort put in. After doing this show my comic timing has certainly gone a notch higher but then I would also like to experiment with other genres.”

They need a break
Roping in popular actors for her mythological Kahaani Hamaray Mahabharat Ki, Ekta Kapoor must have thought, will get her instant connect with the viewers. While that may have succeeded in getting the initial eyeballs to her take on the epic drama, we can’t help but point out that the overworked actors, Saakshi Tanwar and Kiran Karmarkar are part of daily soap Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii look completely fatigued. While Kiran’s Shantanu looks like he wouldn’t mind a quick nap, Saakshi’s Ganga looked like she was in a zombie, not having slept for days.
With the latest technology at Ekta’s disposal, shouldn’t Ganapati’s trunk and ears to be as realistic as possible. But one glance at the elephant god and a seven year old giggled, “look at the mask ganapati is wearing”.
Tsk tsk, we expect better things from you Ekta.