ITV

Tag: Chetan Hansraj

  • Experience Pracchand Ashok’s grandeur on COLORS

    Experience Pracchand Ashok’s grandeur on COLORS

    Mumbai: The greatest love stories are not without their trials, but what happens when fate writes a timeless saga that changes the course of history? Witness the colossal power of love as COLORS takes the audience back in time to the glory of the Mauryan and Kalinga dynasty with its magnum opus ‘Pracchand Ashok’. Making a stellar edition to its library of riveting love stories, the channel treats the viewers to the royal odyssey of Samrat Ashok and Princess Kaurwaki whose thirst for power and yearning for affection collide. After curating iconic franchises that were household favourites, COLORS and Balaji Telefilms unite to raise the bar of storytelling yet again with the historical romance that shaped destinies of empires. Starring actors Adnan Khan and Mallika Singh in the roles of Samrat Ashok and Princess Kaurwaki respectively and produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms, ‘Pracchand Ashok’ premieres on 6 February, 2024 and airs every Monday – Friday at 10:00 pm only on COLORS.

    ‘Pracchand Ashok’ recounts the tale of Samrat Ashok and Princess Kaurwaki, two legends who are as different as day and night. While Kaurwaki dreams of a partner with a heart of gold, cherishing family values above all, Ashok is a relentless conqueror who thinks of family as a chink in one’s armour and unafraid to spill blood for power. However, deep within, he harbours a burning desire to create a legacy, earning respect for his mother, who’s been treated no less than a maid in the kingdom and securing a place for himself in his father’s heart. Kaurwaki seeks a noble companion while Ashok wants to be feared, craving dominion over everyone. Amidst conflicting ideals and aspirations begins a love story that alters the history of Bharatvarsh.

    Popular actor Adnan Khan said, “Getting the chance to essay the role of Samrat Ashok is like living out a childhood fantasy. Joining the COLORS family, especially with a grand show like Pracchand Ashok, is an incredible opportunity to connect with its massive set of viewers across the country. I’m grateful to COLORS and Balaji Telefilms who have trusted me to embody a legend, whose life spans from the conquest to compassion. I promise that this show will enliven the historical romance on Indian television screens.”

    On essaying the role of Princess Kaurwaki, Mallika Singh said, “Working with COLORS, a channel loved by many, and the incredible Ektaa R Kapoor is a dream come true. Princess Kaurwaki’s huge role in Samrat Ashok’s life and how she shaped history is a story that deserves to be told. I believe my calling as an actor through this show is to pay tribute to the legendary woman, who knew the power of love. I am beyond excited for my collaboration with COLORS and Balaji Telefilms and hoping that our hardwork pays off.”

    ‘Pracchand Ashok’ navigates the historical romance of Samrat Ashok and Princess Kaurwaki. Growing up with an unwavering belief in the potency of love, Kaurwaki stands in stark contrast to Ashok, who fosters hatred and animosity, oblivious to his destined path. She serves as a beacon of hope in his life. Additionally, a myriad of emotions intricately weaves Samrat Ashok’s journey. From his indelible connection with his father to his relentless pursuit of respect and justice for his mother, every emotion is explored with depth and nuance, further adding layers to the narrative. Joining the stellar cast are seasoned actors such as Rakshanda Khan as Helena, Chetan Hansraj as Bindusar, Surendra Pal as Chandragupta Maurya, Manoj Kolhatkar as Chanakya, Aarush Shrivastava as Sushim, Dinesh Mehta as Subhandhu, Ankit Bhatia as Bhadrak, Shalini Chandran as Dharma, Leena Balodi as Salukkhavati, Manish Khanna as Padmanabhan.

    Get ready for a historical love saga in ‘Pracchand Ashok’ premiering at 10:00 pm on the 6 February 2024 and airing every Monday to Friday only on COLORS.

  • &TV set to bring new show ‘Mauka-E-Vardaat: Operation Vijay’

    &TV set to bring new show ‘Mauka-E-Vardaat: Operation Vijay’

    Mumbai: &TV is set to bring a new crime show titled “Mauka-E-Vardaat: Operation Vijay” on Monday at 7 p.m. 

    The show is the new edition of its popular series “Mauka-E-Vardaat” featuring stories of fantasy supervillains and how ‘Operation Vijay’ – a special task force comprising the sharpest and bravest police officers, combats these ferocious criminals and their unearthly powers.

    The show features actors Aman Verma, Chetan Hansraj, Tanya Abrol, Piyush Sahdev, Sonali Nikam, Ankit Arora, Aishwarya Raj Bakhuni, Dawood Khan, and Ansha Sayed playing the cops.

    An expert and enlightened genius called Newton Chattopadhyay who unravels the minds of the supervillains will be the show’s highlight. This role is essayed by actor Narendra Gupta. “This series will offer viewers a whole new world of superpowers, fantasy, crime, and criminals. As an expert in unravelling crimes, Newton will give viewers a preview into the criminal’s minds and their superpowers. He is a master of both modern and yogic sciences,” said Gupta about the show.

  • Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara: Akshay Kumar all the way

    Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara: Akshay Kumar all the way

    MUMBAI: Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaa is touted as a sequel to the producers’ earlier film, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. The claim is a deception and a ploy to cash in on the popularity of the earlier film. Supposedly based on a chapter from the don Dawood Ibrahim’s life, it is just another love triangle.

    Akshay Kumar has killed senior dons and attained the mantle of the ultimate don of Mumbai. The remaining local area gangsters are also rendered ineffective by him thereby creating enemies waiting to kill him. His main opponent is Mahesh Manjrekar. Akshay has shifted his base to Middle East but still rules the underworld of Mumbai from there. Akshay had long back picked a young boy, Imran Khan, and nurtured him into a perfect daredevil.

    Having neutralised all his enemies, he plans to visit Mumbai again; the agenda being to eliminate Manjrekar once and for all. The task to eliminate him is passed onto Imran and another henchman, Chetan Hansraj, who botch it up as Manjrekar outsmarts them.

    But there is a distraction in his life and plans. A khiladi with women otherwise, for the first time in his life, he falls in love. The woman is Sonakshi Sinha, but he is unaware that his own protégé, Imran, also loves the same woman. The film, which was fun so far, starts going downhill as the love triangle plays up and the villain in Akshay starts getting more and more cruel, illogical, stretched and dull.

    As the film continues with its love story of two men and one woman, there are songs and dream sequences and poor Sonakshi ends up being in the imagination songs of both the heroes. There seem to be no better, more interesting ways known to the writer to fill up the reels, notwithstanding the tedium it causes to the viewers. This is until Akshay suddenly dreams up a plot to lure Manjrekar out of his den: to spread the rumour that Akshay and Imran have fallen out as both crave the same woman! As invincible as the tales of Dawood Ibrahim have made him, Akshay, supposedly playing his character, takes on Manjrekar in the middle of a busy Mumbai road with traffic in full flow from both directions.

    Producers: Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor.
    Direction: Milan Luthria.
    Cast: Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonali Bendre, Mahesh Manjrekar, Pitobash Tripathy, Mushtaq Khan, Chetan Hansraj, Tiku Talsania.

    Having killed his main adversary now is the time for the love triangle to reach some sort of conclusion. Pitobash Tripathy, Imran’s childhood buddy, finds a place in Akshay’s car. He has been brought here to ‘unwittingly’ convey that Imran also loves Sonakshi. Akshay being don and Imran being his underling knows only one way to end the love triangle: by killing Imran. There is some one-sided action as Imran refuses to raise his hand on his mentor and goes on to take a police bullet meant for Akshay on himself.

    The film is okay while Akshay holds the fort on his own for much of first half of the film. It is also okay with Imran’s entry scene. But enter Sonakshi and the film loses its track. Milan Luthria is not in his element and has also taken the viewer for granted at many places. Characters play Shoaib, Aslam and Jasmine speak of ‘Paap’ and cite ‘Ram’ and ‘Ravan’, which is odd. Nor does the film create the aura of the era it deals with. Rajat Arora has done well with his dialogue writing, especially the ones penned for Akshay. Musically, the film has an entertaining number in Tayyab Ali pyar ka dushman…. A hit number borrowed from Manmohan Desai’s Amar Akbar Anthony and scored by Laxmikant Pyarelal. The other good songs are: Tu hi khwahish… And Yeh tune kya kiya… Editing needed to be crisper. Photography is good.

    The film is an Akshay Kumar vehicle and he makes the most of it; dressed like a mid 20th century American gangster with jelled hairstyle, dark glasses and suit without tie, he carries a certain gait in his walk. This is one of his better performances. Imran is good in certain parts. Sonakshi is okay. Pitobash is good as usual. Sonali Bendre makes a brief role while Vidya Balan makes a passing appearance.

    Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara is a mish-mash between a crime and a romance film, which does not quite work for a viewer.