Paani Puri on Star One
No, they are not offering the chaat dish but airing a serial by the name Paani Puri. It is about two families from diverse cultures and backgrounds who come to live under one roof. Vikas Puri, a middle class 28 years old can’t do without Divya Paani, 25, daughter of a retired bureaucrat. The couple gets married and force their respective parents to deal with each other. A Punjabi, middle class Puri family, which believes in being loud and boisterous, is pitted against the sophisticated Paani family which is soft spoken. The two sets of parents make ample efforts to convince the newly married couple that Paani and Puri is an explosive blend. Sumeet Raghavan and Smita Bansal essay the lead roles. The serial will be aired from August 30.
Wild encounters
The cast and crew of Arslaan seem to be on a adventure trip. They have had encounters with wild animals like lions and snakes. For this show, the unit has been shooting on actual locations, which puts them in close proximity with the creatures of the jungle. Whenever the unit is shooting around dense forest regions they face hurdles. For instance they have to roam around with heavy costumes which reduces their flexibility and makes it tough for them. Their hair also needs to be taken care of as the wigs get wet due to rains and they need to maintain the continuity link. They were shooting in forests of Halol when they spotted the lion king. The fantasy show seems to be making a real hero of the superhero!
Darsheel, the prankster
At the Zee Cinema shoot for the conclusion of its Din Mein Taare Gino contest, Darsheel Safary played numerous pranks on the winners of the contest who had come to meet him from across the country. To begin with, Darsheel insisted on talking to the kids in their mother tongue which he could barely manage. Since the theme was Dahi Handi, he didn’t let the kids reach the matki by constantly pulling them down and hitting them with the dandiya stick. Just before the camera started rolling, Darsheel would hide somewhere, leaving the the entire crew in a soup as they couldn’t find him. He also pulled a fast one on the director of the shoot by making funny gestures and imitating him behind his back which left everyone in splits. A source from the sets said, “Darsheel is a good entertainer even off-screen and is like any other 10-year old who like to do mischief and play with other kids.”
Series on Mahatma Gandhi
UTV is all set to co-produce a drama series on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi for which discussions with the US and UK broadcasters are in the pipeline. Smriti Irani who is the co-producer says, “Mahatma Gandhi was also a husband, father, a family man. Though his sacrifices have been chronicled on screen before, we would also like to highlight the sacrifices made by his family, a story largely untold. We would also be shooting on the actual location to give authenticity it deserves. It was Smriti who came up with the concept of making a serial on the father of the nation. Says Ajit, COO, UTV Television, “Gandhi has been one of the greatest political leader and thinkers of 20th century, we would like to encapsulate the golden era with great dignity, panoramic sweep and excellence in production.”
Under weather
Tullika Upadhyay who plays Leeza (opp Amit Tandon) in Zee’s afternoon show, Saath Saath collapsed on the sets one morning while shooting. When called for a doctor, he said the reason was low hemoglobin level. The condition was so critical that she had to be admitted in the hospital. But after a couple of days, when she was sent for a check-up again, poor girl was diagnosed with malaria. Thanks to too many mosquitoes on the sets of the show. This is the scene on most other sets alsol where hygiene factor is completely missing specially during rainy seasons. Actors have started taking precaution and carrying lunch boxes from homes.
Mohit Malik enters Dulhan
Mohit Malik who has entered Bano Main Teri Dulhan as Parakh Singh and will be a parallel lead in the show. A completely positive character, he says the role is interestingly carved and will turn out to be popular in the show with time. Mohit will be seen playing the son of the evil lady Sindoora but he stresses that he is not even close to a gray shade. The actor is currently seen in Pari Hoon Main as one of the main leads, Rajiv Kapoor.