Patriotic outpourings

Television

Patriotic outpourings

Abhimaan is the latest mega opus of Manish Goswami. It involves the all important and powerful ‘P’ of today’s society: the politics, press and the police. The story endeavours to expose the nitty gritties of the nexus between the three, a definite change from his earlier serials that revolved around families and their power struggles. “Yes, the USP of this serial is that is has very wide appeal. It tries to show the hesitation an Indian feels in belonging to this country. Why are we no longer proud of stating our originality, is what we have tried to explore in Abhimaan. There are no slogans raised or reforms suggested. It just gives you the bird’s eye view of the entire situation,” explains producer Manish Goswami.

The serial does seem to be different in many ways. To begin with this is the first time that Siddhanta Cinevision has gone to DD-1 instead of Zee. Also surprising is the fact that Doordarshan is showing something that is presenting a true picture of today’s power scenario. Besides, the serial presents most of the veteran artistes in an entirely different garb and personality.” I play a negative character for the first time. On the one hand, I am a suave modern politician. On the other hand I use local dialect and can be cruel and ruthless if my ambitions are thwarted. Ambition is the basic motivation of my character in Abhimaan,” says Kanwaljeet, who plays the hard core modern politician.

Govind Namdev’s role is in contrast with his loud and overpowering character in Aashirwad or Mahayagya. As the police commissioner, he is shown a mild person who is a little meek in his attitude. According to Manish Goswami even the appearance is important in giving variety to an artiste. That is why Govind Namdev of Abhimaan is wearing safari suits and is less aggressive in his behaviour. At the same time, the usually mild Sachin Khedekar comes across as a loud and aggressive journalist. As Sachin says, “I am trying to do something that I have not done till now. I am tired of playing the lover-boy. My role in Abhimaan is very interesting and I get to explore the other side of myself as an artiste. Today even idealism is corrupted and that is what is brought to the fore.”

The technical team of Abhimaan is the same as Aashirwad. Written by Mir Munir, it is directed by Rakesh Sarang. To give it a different treatment this serial is given the flavour of cinema. Big star-cast, impressive sets and take off from a real life incident of Jassica Lal’s murder makes the serial a little dramatic. Even the protagonist, the common man played by Arundhati, is aggressive in her attitude. Says Manish, “Our aim is to entertain. Alongside we raise a few issues but no one wants to listen to long speeches and moralistic outbursts. It is the unexpected that affects the viewers and that is what we are providing.”

Mohan Bhandari plays the third angle of the story. An industrialist, he also owns the biggest newspaper in town. He too feels that his role is way off from his role in Parampara. In Parampara, he was power mad business tycoon; here he is an opportunist, one who tilts his decisions accordingly while maintaining a straight front. “Wait and see. My character throws some surprises,” points out Bhandari.

Manish prefers to be different from the others because he would rather stand-alone and be noticed than get lost in the crowd. Right or wrong is immaterial. Maintaining the spirit of Indianism, he opted for a subject that is novel for his production house as well as the channel. However he is sure of the acceptance from the audience because as he explains, “I watch television so that I don’t make the same silly mistakes myself. I know what I am doing.”