Rano is dead, Roli has been shot, Shiv has been kidnapped in Srinagar and Madhubala has disappeared — indeed, there is a sudden hullabaloo in the soap dish. What could be the reason for this tornado crossing all channelsIJ Is it the poaching by one particular dance reality show where all actors in question would be putting on their dancing shoesIJ Or, is it all spurred by varying reasonsIJ Deebashree Mohanty explores
Death ke aagey Jeet hai!
If you thought, with the death of Rano (for many it signified the triumph of evil over good) everything supernatural in Anamika would go out of the window, you’re in for a shock. For starters, good old Annie Gill is going to be back with a bang, or with a candle, if you may.
In a typical Noorie-type-white- saree clad ghost avatar, Gill will be back to haunt you. The only difference will be that Rano, the ghost, will only be there in spirit while Shivani Surve as Chhavi will replace her as Jeet’s love interest in the serial. Sounds spookyIJ Gill tells you that this twist isn’t meant to spook you but is aimed at tugging heartstrings.
“Anamika is a love story. Rano and Jeet can never really be separated. Rano’s heart will always beat for Jeet and she’ll do anything to save him from the chudail. Only this time, she’ll take Chhavi’s help,” Gill, who is busy shooting her post-death scenes, tells you.
Does it not feel weird to be living one day and spreading your charm around to the next day when you are dead and have to play a ghost meandering in the backgroundIJ “At the end of the day, we want our audiences to like the concept, the show and its uniqueness. It matters little whether I’m being sidelined or my screen time has reduced. If the creative team feels this twist is going to capture the attention of our faithful audience, I’m all with them. Shivani is a brilliant actor and is very hardworking,” says Gill, rubbishing rumours that she has been replaced because of her attitude.
“I get along well with everyone on the sets and the creative director is a friend. They’ve all liked me in this role. I’m saddened by the rumours. But, stardom comes in a package — kabhie hasna hai, kabhi rona hai,” Gill says.
As for the show, Surve, best known for her role in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Na Kijo, is going to take centrestage and will give stiff competition to Anamika. Unlike Rano, Chhavi has a more fearless and a pragmatic approach to life and will not easily give-in to a supernatural power. “The chudail, at times, scared Rano because she was a believer. Chhavi doesn’t believe in such things so it makes it difficult for the chudail,” Gill tells you. Jeet and Surve will be a couple eventually, all thanks to Rano’s efforts. “I’ll be appearing on the show to guide Chhavi and remind her that she’s meant to protect Jeet from Anamika,” Gill says.
Shiv kidnapped
Siddharth Shiv Shukla was as surprised as you were when he was told one fine morning that he was going to get kidnapped by terrorists front in Srinagar while on his honeymoon. He was surprised but not too shaken. After all, Balika Vadhu has been all about a tornado of activity ever since Pratyusha Banerjee made way for Toral Rasputra.
Shukla tells you that he prefers to not be in a state of ennui. “I get bored easily. So changes are always welcome. If the team thought it was a good idea to shoot the kidnapping sequence, who am I to question thatIJ,” Shukla says. He adds that his kidnapping only means much more work for him.
“I’m not going to take a break from the show. My work hours are only going to get tougher. As it is, I shoot for 12 hours non-stop to have bulk episodes ready. This kidnapping will only increase my workload,” he says.
Shukla has already shot for a couple of advance episodes and he says there’s a lot more thrill that is going to be unfurled in the coming weeks. “I’ve wrapped up some advance episodes and the plot is interesting. I’m sure the audience will love this course we’re going to take,” he tells you.
An avid fitness enthusiast, Shukla says his main purpose to accept the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa offer was because he’s keen to work out through rigorous dance routines. “I’ve two left feet and am in Jhalak purely to have some fun. I’ve already started practising and it has been lovely till now,” the 27-year-old model-turned-actor says. He adds that as reality shows have no guarantee that you’ll last long, it’s always advisable to guard your serial job. “I’ve no intention to take a break from Balika to fit the dates for Jhalak. This is my bread and butter, dance is just for fun,” he says.
So now what, you ask him and Shukla promptly tells you that the onus is entirely on Anandi to find ways to rescue Shiv from terrorists who will be gunning for his blood.
Where is MadhubalaIJ
For Drashti Dami fans who are missing her on the show, there’s some good news that awaits. The actress is going to return to the serial much sooner than you expected. She was on a break for some reason while the makers were contemplating a change of track. While Dami is gearing up for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the producer of the show, Saurav Tewari says he isn’t worried about her commitment to wrap up the show. “She’s a very hardworking actress and a woman of her word. She knows that her role in Madhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon is pivotal and, therefore, Dami has committed most of her time for this show. We encourage other actors to explore other opportunities on the soapdish and we were very genuinely supportive about her joining a dance reality show. She has got the talent. As for Madhubala, we are toying with the idea of a changed track. But now, it is too early to comment. let’s just say, for the coming few weeks, we’ll just be testing waters. No concrete script has been decided upon as yet,” Tewari tells you.
He adds that in case an actor wants to leave the show there’s no contract that can bind the person. But there’s an understanding that the actor shares with the production team. “It’s all a question of goodwill and actors on TV are matured people. They know their responsibilities and act accordingly. The same is expected out of Dami,” he concludes.
Gor becomes gaon ki gori
When Avika Gor re-appeared on TV in a fresh, bubbly new avatar, audiences had a mixed response. Some said, she fit the bill while others criticised her new look, saying she looked too young for a nayee naveli dulhan. But after she dies as Roli in Sasural Simar Ka, Gor has made some space for herself as Jhumki. As Roli, Gor may have lived all the twists — she has been shot at twice, survived a near-death experience when a bullet pierced through her heart and has been pushed in and out of her khaandaan. But, Roli has always been in control. “My scriptwriter had this event planned for a long time but we kept delaying it, waiting for the right time. There’s going to be a new turn of events in the serial when Prem finds a Roli look-alike in Rajasthan. He brings her back to the house and many things fall in place. This rusty Roli will be quite a match for the villain,” Gor tells you. With this gaon ki chhori avatar, Gor does a full-circle and is back to dressing up as in her Balika Vadhu days. But that’s something Gor doesn’t mind. “I’m happy to be going back to my roots. I love dressing up so more the finery, the better it is. The new role is going to lend a fresh perspective to the show,” Gor says, adding that as an actor she’s blessed to have done two different roles in the same serial.
“Not many actors with my experience get such variety in one show,” the 19-year-old says. In her opinion, doing multiple shows is good. It isn’t possible for a TV actor to restrict herself to a show when there’s so much more she can experiment with. “I don’t think participation in any dance reality show demands a drastic change in schedule. I’ve handled a full-fledged show while trying my hand at dancing in the previous seasons of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and it has worked out well,” Gor, who was one of competitors for the wild card entry, states.