Tag: Shruti Sharma

  • ‘Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela.’ premieres at JLN on 29 Nov

    ‘Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela.’ premieres at JLN on 29 Nov

    Mumbai: ‘Rajadhiraaj: Love. Life. Leela.’ – a mega musical on the life of lord Krishna that enchanted Mumbaikars, has taken over the skyline of Delhi with striking displays, stirring excitement for its arrival.

    Premiering at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Auditorium, New Delhi from 29 November 2024, the spectacular production offers a unique blend of storytelling, music, and visual artistry. The show, conceptualised and created by Dhanraj Nathwani, promises an immersive journey of the two divine personas of Shri Krishna – Shrinathji and Dwarkadheesh.

    Written by Padma Shri Awardee Prasoon Joshi and directed by musical theatre expert Shruti Sharma, this production brings to life Shri Krishna’s tales from Vrindavan to Dwarka. Featuring 180 artists, the show includes a powerful soundtrack of 20 original songs by Sachin-Jigar, blending Western symphonic music from Budapest with Indian classical, Haveli Sangeet, Rajasthani and Gujarati folk, and Hindustani semi-classical styles.

    Omung Kumar’s detailed production design, alongside choreography by Bertwin D’Souza and Shampa Gopikrishna performed by over 60 dancers, enriches the immersive experience. Creatively produced by Parthiv Gohil and Viral Rachh, with story research by National Award-winning writer Raam Mori, the production features 1,800 custom costumes by celebrated designer Neeta Lulla, capturing the essence of divine playfulness and depth of the characters.

    Brace yourself to dive into the journey of Shri Krishna and his timeless tales.

  • Namak Issk Ka looks into the societal gaze at female performers: Gul Khan

    Namak Issk Ka looks into the societal gaze at female performers: Gul Khan

    MUMBAI: Can a nachaniya (dancing girl) not be accepted as a dulhaniya (bride) or bahu? Colors’ latest romantic drama, Namak Issk Ka, questions this very outlook. Set in the heartland of Bihar, Namak Issk Ka is the story of Chamcham, who is looked down upon for her profession, but in a twist of fate is married off into a reputable family in Mumbai. But as she tries to fend off prejudice, she sets out on a journey to find her footing in the new family and, eventually, love. Produced by Four Lions Film founder and producer Gul Khan and co-produced by Sunny Side Up Films’ Dipti Kalwani, the show started airing 7 December onwards.

    Both Khan and Kalwani clarified that the serial is not inspired by any particular person, but is based on the life of dancers that populate that belt, and how these performers are a part of every celebration in the family.

    Everybody appreciates these dancers and their performances, but still people look down upon them. It’s not about the male mindset, but the societal gaze in general. While the entire family will be a part of the function with the dancer, somehow, they will consider her beneath themselves. This is what the makers have tried to bring out through the show.

     

     

    Kalwani went on to elaborate that while a love story is at the core of Namak Issk Ka, the show is a romantic thriller with multiple interesting genres running in parallel, including a murder mystery and family drama. “With Namak Issk Ka, we have made a fast-moving, plot-driven potboiler of a show which is not just relegated to romance, and where every character has a very interesting backstory,” she said.

    It was last year when Khan and Kalwani decided to do Namak Issk Ka. But then the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown happened, delaying the show. However, it also gave them a chance to iron out the details, and once the lockdown was lifted, they began shooting.

    Due to Covid2019, the makers could not risk traveling to Bihar hence recreated the entire set in the backdrop of Maharashtra and outskirts of Mumbai. Khan mentioned, “We are very skilled at recreating the places that we feature. We shot in Wai, in and around Maharashtra. We tried to match the landscapes and terrains with those of Bihar. We also had people from Bihar help some of our actors with the language, dialogue and diction training.” She said they have ensured that viewers get the authentic experience of the place in the way she has shot the show.

    Still, filming during the age of Coronavirus has been no easy task, shared Kalwani.
    Additional challenges notwithstanding, the makers of the show have strictly adhered to all the safety protocols and are fumigating and sanitising the set regularly. They have conducted regular and compulsory medical checks for cast and crew members. They have, in fact, reduced the size of cast and crew present on the set.

    The show also marks Khan’s first production venture with Colors. “We were trying to work with Colors for a very long time. After conceptualising the story, we pitched it to Colors and the team really liked it. From then on, we have gone ahead all guns blazing! So far, my experience has been amazing while working with Manisha Sharma and the entire team. We are happy to be associated with a channel that has always presented unique and entertaining concepts, and look forward to a great partnership,” she further added.

    The producers discussed with Colors the language, casting, music and background score, the look of the show along with the level of glamour quotient that they wanted to have in Namak Issk Ka, and the audience it would cater to. The broadcaster and showrunners have been pretty much on the same page on all parameters before it went on the floors, Khan said.

     

     

    Namak Issk Ka stars Shruti Sharma as Chamcham, and famous Bhojpuri actor Aditya Ojha as Yug Pratap Singh. According to Khan, there is a particular requirement for this show. The actors have to connect with the audiences and they have to look like they are from the heartland. While Aditya Ojha and Monalisa are from the Bhojpuri entertainment industry, Shruti Sharma, with her inclination and her talent, fit the bill as Chamcham. While casting for the show, the makers had to look for people who looked like they belonged in this universe.

    The show is aired Monday to Friday at 9 pm, which is a very competitive slot – Sony TV airs Indian Idol, whereas Star Plus telecasts Maharaj Ki Jai Ho. Revealing how the production house is trying to make Namak Issk Ka stand out, Kalwani detailed, “The trick is to make a great show that the audience can relate to and narrate a story that you enjoy telling. In this case, we were very excited about telling the story coming from the Hindi heartland. We wanted to talk about music and dance, the people and their language, their food and everything about them. So, culturally we were very keen to do something from this belt, and we have woven a story around it. The story has its own element of love, hatred, thriller, mystery. There is no such exact formula to success. This is what we wanted to do.”

  • COLORS’ presents Gathbandhan, a gripping love story between a gangster and a righteous IPS office

    COLORS’ presents Gathbandhan, a gripping love story between a gangster and a righteous IPS office

    Mumbai: They say love finds you in the strangest places, it’s a promise, it’s a souvenir which once given can never be forgotten.  But what happens when this strange love comes tangled in complexities of laws, conflicting lives, opposing value systems, family tussles and a bond of life time. Untangling this anokha bandhan will be, COLORS’ upcoming fiction drama, Gathbandhan. An edgy yet captivating love saga from the streets of Dashrath chawl in Mumbai, the show in a light-hearted manner will trace the journey of two contrasting personalities who under unusual circumstances are tied in a bond for lifetime. Featuring Abrar Qazi, Shruti Sharma and Sonali Jayanti Naik, Gathbandhan produced by Jay Mehtaa Productions premiers on 15th January 2019 and will air every Monday to Friday at 9:00 p.m.

    Gathbandhan explores the extraordinary love story of a Gujarat ni chokri Dhanak (Played by Shruti Sharma), an honest, upright individual, who has the zeal to become an IPS Officer and a gangster, Marathi Mulga Raghu (Played by Abrar Qazi), Son of Savitri Bai Jadhav, a Bollywood fan with no aim. Under the watchful eye of his mother Savitri (Played by Sonali Jayanti Naik), Raghu takes over the family business of extortion; unknown to Dhanak; a fearless woman who holds ethical and moral values supreme. As the two enter the bond of matrimony, a conflict of epic proportions ensues between Savitri and her new daughter-in-law. Will Raghu be influenced by his paramour or will their love succumb to the manipulations of his controlling mother?

    Commenting on the show, Nina Elavia Jaipuria – Head, Hindi and Kids TV Network, Viacom18 said, “Reinforcing our promise to stay connected and keep our audience engaged and entertained, we are delighted to bring back the evergreen genre of romance with Gathbandhan. The show is a unique alliance of two conflicting cultures, values and worlds. With one being an IPS officer and other being a local don, the show makes for a powerful drama which will ride high on emotions and aspiring dreams.”

    Speaking about the concept of the show, Manisha Sharma, Chief Content Officer, Hindi Mass Entertainment said, “Gathbandhan is a tongue in cheek story between a boy, who is a don and a self-righteous girl studying to be a police officer. She wants him arrested along with his mom and he wants to please her to become his bride. The question lies in whether she will be able to convert him? Will she arrest him? With lots of nuances of Gujarati and Marathi families, the storyline will spice up the tashan between the two. With Kesari Nandan, Gathbandhan and Khoob Ladi Mardani Jhansi Ki Rani,  we hope to keep viewers  entertained with the variety of content that we are offering.”

    Jay Mehtaa, founder of Jay Mehtaa Productions, said, “With the authentic bustling backdrop of Mumbai, Gathbandhan chronicles the lives of two individuals who look at their personal and professional values from two different lenses. With the clash of three strong personalities- Dhanak, Raghu and Savitri Bai, the audiences are in for a roller-coaster ride. As these two worlds converge, the question lies in whether it will lead into a battle or will they find love. Adding further, Kinnari Mehtaa, co-founder of Jay Mehtaa Productions, said, Determining and transforming characters with fresh concepts is what we believe in and our synergies matched with COLORS on this front and we are delighted to be associated with them.”

    Speaking about her television debut and playing the role of Dhanak, Shruti Sharma said, “I am honored to make my debut with COLORS and portraying a strong character of an IPS Officer with defined principals. Dhanak is an idealistic young girl, who sees the world as black and white and is determined to bring change in society. Her life  changes when she learns that her husband Raghu is anything but moral. What happens next, is full of dramatic twists and turns and I hope viewers will enjoy the ride.”

    Commenting on his role, actor Abrar Qazi who essays the role of Raghu, said, “Essaying the role of a gangster might seem easy to eyes, but turned out to be really challenging. The body language, the dialect, the clothes, it all takes a lot of time to get comfortable with. I am pleased to be associated with COLORS for giving me my debut character which so challenging and unique. I can’t wait to see viewers reaction, when they see this unique love story.”

    Adding further, Sonali Naik who plays the role of Savitri, said, “I am playing the role of the lady don of ‘Dashrath chawl’, who is looking for a bahu who will take forward her family’s legacy of money extortion A doting mother, she cannot fathom the idea that her son may give up the life she envisioned for him by marrying a woman like Dhanak. My character will add a flavor of fun and spice to the show and I am sure viewers will enjoy the nuances in Savitri’s characters.”

    Gathbandhan revolves around three stark opposite characters, each with their own set of morals and beliefs who come together in the most unusual circumstances. While Dombivali ka Don Raghu has the city at his feet, it is up to Gujarati IPS Dhanak to make Raghu walk the path of righteousness as his better-half. In this conflict of crime vs kanoon, will love win? With tremendous performances from actors Akrar Qazi, Shruti Sharma and Sonali Jayanti Naik, Gathbandhan promises to be wholesome entertainer with an intriguing love story at its core.

    The grand launch of the show witnessed a big fat wedding of two these two contrasting personalities, destined to unite, Raghu and Dhanak. Gracing the ‘Anokha Gathbandhan’ were the daredevils khiladis of Khatron Ke Khiladi – Avika Gor and Sreesanth along with Shilpa Sakhlani from Vish Ya Amrit Sitaara – Ek Vishkanya Ki Kahaani. Thousands of people came to bless the couple and celebrate their D-day as  Raghu and Dhanak performed every wedding ritual with utmost bliss.  

    Tune in to be a witness of love struggling to evolve in the amidst of all odds with Gathbandhan starting 15th January 2019, every Monday to Friday at 9.00pm only on COLORS