With the promise of exploring the layers of filial ties, Ishqbaaaz revolves around three brothers and their family. Shifa Naseer talked to the cast about the show and its unconventional story
Shivaay, Omkar and Rudra Oberoi, the three most eligible bachelors in the country are here to sweep you off your feet with their charisma and unique personalities. “Rishta wahi soch nayi”, something which Star Plus came up with a few years ago, is being refreshed by Gul Khan in association with 4 lion Films by introducing the new series called Ishqbaaaz. It circles around the concept of valuing the Indian tradition by the youth of today in contrast to the degradation in the family relations in current times per se.
Set in Mumbai, the Oberois are the modern day equivalent of Indian royalty who reek power and glamour but it is the bond between the current generation Oberoi brothers that is at the heart of Ishqbaaaz. Navninder Behl, who is playing the grandmother of the three brothers, said, “I usually avoid working in these long TV series. However, I found the concept of Ishqbaaaz very intriguing. As it is, the serials these days follow a trend of having a female protagonist and villain but this series has boys at the fore front. It circles around the brotherly relationship between them.”
Nakuul Mehta who is playing Shivaay, the eldest of the trio, while talking about the series compared the story line with the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and said that the conflicts and the bond between the trio in the series is somewhat similar to the bond between the brothers in these great epics. He also threw some light on his character. “I play the character of Shivaay Oberoi, a businessman who is arrogant and shrewd. However, he is very loving towards his brothers and shares a special bond with them. This is a person who is not lovable till you understand him,” he said. He further elaborated, “My character is very rash and money driven. The only things that matter to him are money, fame and family. He thinks from his mind and is the decision maker of the family. I am a very social person and for me to play a character who is exactly the opposite of who I am, is very interesting.”
When asked about the reason for choosing this character, Nakuul at his wittiest best, said, “The choices are limited on television these days. You either get to play a makkhi or a machchar these days on television, so I told them that I want to play a human being. Also, there is not much work for a male protagonist on television and I am getting to do something as an artist with this show. The story is based on male protagonists and it's a story that I would love to watch.”
While attempting to show the three brothers standing for mind, body and soul, the characters have been given a single powerful trait which defines them. The characters don’t seem to be versatile but are really predictable. Omkar, the second brother, played by Kunal Jaisingh, is an artist who is aloof towards the world and is more sensitive. While the third and the youngest brother, Rudra, played by leenesh Mattoo, is a body builder and fitness freak.
“Rudra is flamboyant and lives life on his own terms. He’s a free spirited boy who loves enjoying to the fullest,” said Mattoo. The three brothers also stand for the different phases of life, reflecting each phase as the character of each brother. Whether there are any grey areas in the characters or is the show really a black and white portrait is yet to be seen.
Trying to give the audience something new to watch, producer Gul Khan has come up with the idea of bromance instead of romance. However, it will be only a matter of time before girls enter the lives of the brothers.