Two friends and an Ajnabi

Danny Denzongpa and Romesh Sharma have known each other since their Film Institute days. Danny went on to become one of the highest-paid villians while Romesh, who had won the gold medal for the best actor at the institute, ironically, couldn't make it big as an actor even though, in the initial stages, he had made some interesting films opposite Jaya Bachchan. He then turned to producing films and with Hum hit the big time. All through these years, and the highs and the lows, the two friends stayed in touch. Hum had Danny in a significant grey-black role opposite Amitabh Bachchan. And he is the central character of Romesh's serial Ajnabi. Interestingly, Ajnabi had been made as a feature film, but unfortunately the film which had got rave reviews in its original Nepalese version didn't have any buyers. That's when friends Romesh and Danny decided to convert into a TV serial. It was a reluctant decision, but not the one they regret for it became an instant success. By 1994, within a year of its telecast, its viewership on Metro reached a viewership of 67 per cent and had all major advertisers like Nestle and Lakme paying Rs. 1,15,000 per 10 per cent and sold a record 410 secs. However, after it shifted to a late-night slot on DD1, the revenues dropped but the popoularity of the serial continued. Now back again on DD Metro the serial has again found a place in the top ten list. As it enters its fifth successive year, Danny and Romesh dwelve into their success story.

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