Star Plus’ one of the most celebrated shows, ‘Imlie’, has kept the audiences hooked with its stellar storyline!

 he show has managed to grab a lot of eyeballs along with the loyal audiences who are completely hooked to the show. The show’s ever-growing popularity and viewers’ love for artists is clearly visible from its ratings. It occupies a long standing slot in TOP 5 shows since its launch in 2020. Viewed by millions and loved by all, the show is bound to touch newer heights in the near future. In the coming days, viewers will witness some changes like a shocking twist & astonishing track which will impact Imlie’s life in a major way! Putting all rumours and speculation to rest, hear what the people associated with the show have to say -   

Actor Gashmeer Mahajani says, “Playing Aditya Kumar Tripathi has been a wonderful journey, and it’s coming to an end. The character deeply resonates with me and will stay in my heart. Imlie was a show that made me a household name today. Here I formed bonds that will last forever. In the past few days, my co-stars haven’t been looking at me [directly], because if we make eye contact, we will start crying. It has been a sweet ending for me. However, I had to take this decision to focus on my future endeavours. A big thank you to everyone who supported me and loved Aditya. My best wishes are always with the show and the entire team of Imlie.”

Gul Khan the Producer of Imlie says - “Actor Gashmeer Mahajani and 4 Lions Productions have amicably parted ways on Imlie. If an actor wants to opt out of a show due to a personal choice, we totally understand and respect his decision. Ours was a very peaceful and amicable parting. We remain grateful to Gashmeer for his contributions to the character of Aditya Kumar Tripathi. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors. As for the upcoming storyline is concerned, we have a major twist that will leave viewers surprised / bewitched. Stay Tuned.”

Well, viewers and fans of Imlie have a lot in store in the coming days and all we can say is stay tuned!

The show must go on,” mentions Sanjay Gagnani after suffering an injury during a fight sequence for Kundali Bhagya

 Zee TV’s top-rated show, Kundali Bhagya, has offered several interesting twists to its viewers since its inception. The constant chaos and commotion in Karan (Dheeraj Dhoopar) and Preeta’s (Shraddha Arya) lives has surely kept the audience at the edge of their seats over the past few months. In fact, the recent two-year leap truly turned the tale on its head with Karan and Preeta separating. Since then, we have seen how Prithvi (Sanjay Gagnani) has taken control of the Luthra mansion and Preeta has returned to save the family.   

 

While the leap brought in an unexpected twist, the audience will witness more high voltage drama in the upcoming episodes. In fact, Karan and Prithvi are all set to get into a physical fight and the whole sequence will keep everyone at the edge of their seats. Both the actors gave their best; however, it is Sanjay Gagnani’s bravery that left everyone speechless on the sets of Kundali Bhagya. The actor, even after ensuring that all safety measures were in place, met with a minor accident and got cuts and bruises on his right hand. But even though he was bleeding and against the medical team’s advice, Sanjay continued to shoot. Despite being injured, he aced the fight sequence and showcased his dedication to his work. 

  

Talking about his injury, Sanjay revealed, “There was a dramatic scene in Kundali Bhagya where Karan and Prithvi break into a fight and while all the safety measures and precautions were being taken, I injured my right hand and got bruises. But the show must go on, right? My whole cast and crew have been working round the clock and hence, I didn’t want to halt the shoot midway. In fact, with the blood dripping from my hands, it actually made the scene look even more realistic. My hand was hurting, but with God’s grace, it wasn’t that major, and my team immediately helped me with first aid. It is healing, and I wish the audience loves the action sequence and keeps showering us with love and affection.” 

 

While Sanjay recovers from his injury, the audience is in for some major twists and turns. Will Prithvi continue his reign of terror? Or will Karan and Preeta come up with a plan to stop him? 

  

To know what follows next, tune into Kundali Bhagya every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm only on Zee TV

 

Since I was 15, my wife and I are together, she is my only girlfriend” reveals Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na’s Avinesh Rekhi

 Zee TV’s show Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na, with its engaging and intriguing storyline, has kept the audience at the edge of their seats since its launch. The show follows the story of Krisha Chaturvedi (Anjali Tatrari) and Devraj Singh Rathore (Avinesh Rekhi), and their extraordinary and mysterious love story is winning the hearts of its viewers.

 

Along with having a strong fan following among the audience, Avinesh Rekhi has always been in talks for keeping his personal life private. However, in a candid conversation, he spilled beans about his reasons for maintaining a balance between his private and professional life, and also shared that he only dated one woman that too in school and she is now the mother of their two cute little children, Raisa Nanda Rekhi.

 

Talking about keeping his personal life private, Avinesh said, “Even though I portray the character of an angry young man, I am a complete family man. I don’t like showing off my family to the public, and when I am with them, I neither entertain any publicity nor am I the person people assume me to be. I barely open up about my personal life, which helps me maintain the balance between my professional and personal life. I don’t have many friends from Mumbai or the TV industry, most of them are my wife’s friends. So whenever, I get time I take my family for a get-together. Whatever time I have, I like to spend it with my family.”

 

He further added, “I am a father of two - a son, and a daughter. I’ve always been a friend to my son and first crush to my daughter. I believe I was always a one-woman man, and since I was 15, my wife and I have been together. She is my only girlfriend. That's how sentimental I am. She was the first woman I ever had a relationship with."

 

Well, isn’t that adorable?!

 

While Krisha and Devraj are gradually coming closer, wait till you see how the drama unfolds in the upcoming episodes. Is this the beginning of their love story? Or, will Devraj’s stubbornness to transform Krisha into Maya will tear them apart?

 

 

 

To know more, tune in to Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na, every Monday to Friday at 10 pm, only on Zee TV!

I enjoy reading books more than reading online: says Poonam Pandey

 Lesser known fact about Poonam is that she is a bookworm and enjoys her time reading books during the lockdown period. With the lockdown in force, she is getting time to dive into the world of literature. Amongst all the genres, she particularly enjoys reading biographies “They are so insightful and inspirational” she says.

“I enjoy reading books more than reading online. I feel the young generation is missing out on a lot by not reading. I read around three books a week, sometimes more depending on my schedule” adds Poonam*

“Reading helps you unleash your imagination and you can travel a whole world through a book." It is not only reading that keeps her happy. She is also fond of painting and watching films. "No Sunday is complete without a film and not just Bollywood or Hollywood, i love world cinema”

Aamna Sharif to mark many firsts with Damaged Season 3; deets inside

 Aamna Sharif truly is an actor of many mediums and genres! After stunning the audience with her Television shows and movie performances, the new-age promising star is all set to venture into the OTT space with Damaged Season 3.

Aamna Sharif will mark many firsts with the Damaged series. Apart from the show being her OTT debut, the actress will essay a role of a cop for the first time in a rather dark cinematic universe.

While speaking about the same, Aamna Sharif said, "It was an exciting process to slip into the character of a cop. It requires a certain sense of disciple and personality, and I had fun achieving that for the series. Damaged S3 allowed me to explore a lot as an actor. I am super thrilled about the show. I hope the audience enjoys my performance."

Meanwhile, the trailer of Damaged S3 has taken the internet over. Netizens are flooding the comment section of Aamna Sharif, sharing their excitement of watching the promising star in a new shade.

Celebs share some skin care tips!

 Celebs share some skin care tips!

The novel Coronavirus and the consequent lockdown undoubtedly took a toll on our mental health. And since most of us are working from home, our daily routines have gone haywire. No fixed meals, junk food, and whatnot have not just affected our physical health but our skin too. But with the onset of the festive season, it's important to rejuvenate your skin for that healthy glow. So here are some celeb-approved skincare tips, which you can easily put to use while working or prepping your house for the festivities.

Meera Deosthale: My favourite home ingredients are curd, turmeric, coffee, and honey. I usually follow this skincare regime once a week. I scrub my face with coffee and honey scrub. This reduces dullness and redness. Then I apply a pack of curd and turmeric on my face which moisturises my skin and gives it a natural glow. For my hair, I make a mask with egg, curd, and lemon, and leave it for half an hour. It conditions and moisturises my hair. As a kid, my mom used to do all of these things and I used to hate it because my hair used to stink later, but I have really strong hair because of those times and I am thankful to mom.

Sharad Malhotra I use fruit peels with honey as a scrub for my face whenever my face feels dull. It softens and brightens my skin. I also wash my face with milk. It cleanses my skin of excess oils and dirt which clog pores to form acne.

Avinash Mukherjee: I don’t follow much of a skincare routine, what I do on regular basis is simply wash my face with a face wash and I use a water spray to clean it because when you wash your face there should be a force so that it enters your pores and clears the dirt and impurities. Another thing I do is I take steam weekly, which is very good for the skin, and also during these COVID times, it keeps the lungs clean. I sometimes apply Multani mitti or a charcoal face mask or honey on my face. You should always apply night cream to moisturise your skin before going to bed but before putting it on apply two drops of glycerin as it gives you smooth and lively skin.

Angad Hasija: I feel caring for your skin and hair is very important but honestly I have never got a facial done because I feel it’s a very boring thing to do. As far as taking care of my skin is concerned my mother asks me to apply honey and banana. If I am free then my mother or wife prepares a face pack for me with turmeric, honey, and gram flour. But what helps me the most is I drink water with honey and lemon, it keeps my skin hydrated.

Delnaaz Irani: I wash my face regularly, and continuously apply ice on the face post makeup. The only secret I have is I put a lot of ice pre and post makeup on my face, it makes the skin look very tight and nice.

Nishant Malkhani: When love is true and genuine even two minutes spend with your beloved feels like eternity

 Love has many forms and one thing that is common among each is that when you love somebody you have to think beyond yourself, a feeling that comes from within, says Nishant Malkhani. The Rakshabandhan... Rasal Apne Bhai Ki Dhal actor talks more about what love means to him.

“Two independent people coming together and making a deal that from this point onwards you and I would do everything to bring out the best version of the other person out, that kind of emotional support is what I think is love. One should not or can’t be selfish in love. By selfish in this context means that one likes receiving love from somebody but the same person doesn’t want to make the effort to make the other person feel loved. Love means different things to different people at different stages of life… I think empathy and compassion are required right now in the world. I, myself, try to be nice to everyone I meet because no one is inferior or superior to you,” he says.

Many feel social media has blurred the lines between real and fake, making it hard to find love. “The images and videos that go out everyday showing people having fun, we have no idea what is actually going on behind the curtain. How does that person live, struggles he faces, how insecure he is or what he has lost… Social media is silly, and one should not ever trust that because what you’re seeing is the image that the other person is portraying and not the reality,” he adds.

Even if one falls in love, giving time these days becomes an issue. “It’s going to be an issue unless you’re trying your best. If your partner loves, respects and understands you and because of some genuine work-related issues you’re not able to give enough time I think the other person will understand. When love is true and genuine even two minutes spend with your beloved feels eternity,” he explains.

Love, for many, is an illusion. “I cannot scientifically prove anything, can only share my viewpoint. Love does exist and maybe it hits you once or twice in life, I don’t know. It hit me once, and that feeling never goes away even if that person is not around you. So when somebody seeks love advice, even though I’ve not done great in terms of love, I tell them that if your partner is giving you 10 at least give them 7 or 8 back. But if you’re giving back 2 then that balance of 8 will be managed one day or for a few days but soon it’ll pile up, and then that gets difficult. Both loving someone and being loved are important,” he says.

It is often said that celebrities are always chasing fame, and often don't have time or find true love. “There are some who would choose fame above love, and I wish that they find love in the long run someday. But more often than not God gives you options to choose what you want and sometimes we choose what we think we want and not what we actually need. It’s not wrong to be career oriented but not letting the other person, who loves you, know that your career is more important than love, is wrong. And the entire phenomenon has nothing to do with celebrities, it’s for all. Those who want love in reality, they find it and value the love when they get it,” he concludes.

Neeraj Goswami on the positive response Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai is getting: It's a bit of a relief and constructive encouragement

 Neeraj Goswami sounds happy talking about how the new track of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (YRKKH) are being loved by the audience. The actor plays the role of Parth Birla in the third installment of the trilogy, produced by Rajan Shahi.

“We are glad that the viewers are liking it. Looking at the kind of hard work everyone is putting in to make this show work, it's a bit of a relief and a constructive encouragement. This is a big show, a big platform. Let’s hope this show works wonders for everyone associated with the show,” he says.

Rajan Shahi has given a good spin to the story and audiences are enjoying every bit of it, adds the actor.

The look and feel of the show is fresh and being appreciated by the audience. They are also liking the authenticity and the importance given on relationships in the narrative. “That's been the forte of Rajan sir anyway. The creative team is extremely efficient and they understand their craft very well. A lot of brainstorming, and thought goes into every small detail that we see on the screen. Though a common man might not understand this, it is a very challenging job and gladly our team at Directors Kut Productions excels at it,” he adds.

World Hindi Day: Celebs share how the industry can promote Hindi more

 World Hindi Day is observed every year on January 10th. On this occasion, actors talk about their favourite Bollywood film and character which was inspired from a novel. They also share their thoughts on what can be done to promote Hindi in the entertainment industry. Read on:

 

Ranaksh Rana

Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh’s hit film Kati Patang which was based on the book by Gulshan Nanda was amazing. Asha Parekh, who pretended to be a widow, Madhu, gave an amazing performance. To promote Hindi in the industry, we should have credit titles in Hindi too besides English. Also there should be more films based on Hindi literature books. Hindi is our mother tongue and we should be proud of the language. TV shows should also be made more based on novels. We haven’t forgotten Malgudi days till today.

Pranitaa Pandit

I have loved Dilip Kumar's character in the film Devdas which was inspired by the Bengali novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The character has stayed with me even till today. Bollywood can put titles in Hindi on posters to promote Hindi. Hindi is our national language and we should be proud of it.

Sharad Malhotra

I loved Satyajit Ray’s 1977 film Shatranj Ke Khiladi. It was based on Munshi Premchand's short story of the same name. The movies featured Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey and Shabana Azmi. It's a political satire and the art direction and cinematography was just perfect. As far as Bollywood is concerned I feel we can focus on making more movies from old Hindi novels and that will definitely promote Hindi as an international language. As for the music industry, they should make more Hindi songs rather than recreating or remixing old ones.

Angad Hasija

My favorite Bollywood movie that is based on a Hindi novel is Sadgati. It was directed by Satyajit Ray and it was based on Munshi Premchand's story Sadgati. The movie focussed on the tragic lives of the untouchables in the country. It's a heart-wrenching film. To promote Hindi as an international language, I feel we should use more Hindi in films and songs. It shouldn't be mixed with English.

Meera Deosthale

Ek Chadar Maili Si is a 1986 film, directed by Sukhwant Dhadda, and is an adaptation of Rajinder Singh Bedi's classic Urdu novel of the same name. The novel won the 1965 Sahitya Akademi Award. The film starred Hema Malini, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rishi Kapoor and Poonam Dhillon in lead roles. Rishi Kapoor’s role was very touching who adjusted to the circumstances situationally. To promote more of Hindi we should have subtitles in Hindi too. Hindi shouldn’t be turned into hinglish dialogues in films.

Eijaz Khan

I liked the Hindi film Angoor in which Sanjeev Kumar played a double role. It is a remake of the Indian film Do Dooni Chaar which was a remake of 1963 Bengali language comedy film Bhranti Bilas, that is based on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's Bengali novel of the same name. Hindi is our matr basha and must be promoted. The titles of films can be in Hindi too and even subtitles can be there so people from all over the world can know how good Hindi cinema is.

I think social media has only made it easier to find love : Himansh Kohli

 Adorable Himansh Kohli who has a huge fan following and also a special place in women’s heart shares his idea of love with us. He says,”Some part of love is about respect, faith, and care, while the other part is about tuning your needs as per the other person's desires so that both of you feel complete. We all show and feel affection in different ways, but what remains the same for every bond is sacrifice, and I mean it in the context where you have to 'adjust'. Like when you have to take out time to spend even when you have thousand other engagements, doing things that make them happy rather than doing things that are centered on your personal happiness, taking important life decisions considering them rather than your own growth, etc.” We all experience love at different stages of life. It's not just romantic love, we all need human love too. What is your viewpoint on this.

He adds,”Everyone needs romantic companionship, but what's much more crucial is basic human love. Love doesn't need to be a complicated form or way too intense, it should just be present no matter what the situation is. Also, as we grow the meaning of love keeps on changing because our perception changes. We might not understand the negative energies behind someone's positive words, but as we grow we become aware of such aspects.” But is it hard to find love in today’s age as the way social media has blurred the lines between real and fake. What’s your point of view?

 
“I think social media has only made it easier to find love. Not only people can be discovered more, but one can also have an initial impression basis someone's content and activity. But, we must learn to separate our personal and public lives on social media and even have a private account if need be.”
Himansh also raised an important point on the expectations which comes in any relationship. He says,”
It has been said time and again that expectations hurt. Why expect someone to spend time with you when you know they are occupied or they don't give you priority. If someone really wants your company, they will take out time for you even if they are 24*7 hours at work. Love is what you make of it. For some it's finding a comfortable space within a person, for others, it is the butterfly feeling in your belly when you see someone, and more. But, over the years I have realized that you can eventually love anyone with time. What you need most is compatibility.”

But It is often said that celebrities are always chasing name and fame, and they don't find any love, be it romantic or even human love. What do you have to say about that?
“I would just say here that we are as human as anyone else. We might have more options because of our trade, but honestly, we don't even consider most of them because you don't know who's sweet with you because of your name and who's genuinely interested in you. We have the same challenges as other people and probably even more because we are constantly surrounded by people who will say anything to please us rather than being honest. But, it can't be said that celebrities don't find love, I have experienced real love very closely and I see other celebrity couples who are really happy and love each other to the moon and back.”

Himansh is currently shooting for his film Boondi Raita in the hills.

Delnaaz Irani: 2022 is going to be good for the entertainment industry

 Kabhi Kabhie Ittefaq Sey actress Delnaaz Irani feels that 2022 is going to be good for the entertainment industry.

"If I talk about the television industry, as far as the content and writing is concerned, the vision overall to make a product is concerned I think it's changed a lot for the better. We have more realistic dramas, more realistic approach towards content these days and also a chance for all sorts of artists. Usually, it was concentrating on the youth as far as the main leads were concerned but today we are looking at 40 plus people running the show as protagonists," she said.

She feels that with web shows coming in, there is so much entertainment. "There are so many mediums and of course in the last two years, the industry and everyone has gone through a very bad phase. We have bounced back as the movies are doing so well, starting with Sooryavanshi and 83. The film and television industries and web shows were always doing well. Now theatres have opened up, so plays are happening. Overall 2022 is going to be good for the entertainment industry," she said.

She agrees that there are negativities in showbiz, the biggest problem being insecurity. "There are loads of people coming to Mumbai to work and I think there are many who want to be actors and directors. If I talk about the late 90s and early 2000s, there was not so much of rush. Now it's a market," she said. "Apart from that we need to streamline things such as the timings. We don't have a personal life once we start working on a show. We have 12 working hours and it gets tiring. Little things such as hygiene and others are there, but these are smaller problems," she added.

But she believes there are more positives to the entertainment industry. "If you are a creative person, you are a boon to be here and what better than entertaining people. One is blessed to be in this industry," she said.

As for her, she goes with the flow and doesn't manipulate. "I am not over ambitious and I was good with whatever I had in my hand. I started with theatre so there was a lot of discipline as an actor, as far as punctuality is concerned. I think it made a lot of difference as a person. I feel my hobby became my profession and that's why I don't think too much. I gave my 100 percent to everything," she said. There are some projects that she thinks made a difference in her career. "Obviously, the big film I did which was Kal Ho Na Ho and after that Pyaar Mein Twist, Milenge Milenge, Paying Guest and Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha. Whether the role was small or big, it was successful or not, the most important thing was after Kal Ho Na Ho, it opened doors for me," she said.

"I was not only a TV actor, but I was also an all-rounder. I did TV, films, reality shows, comedy and now I am getting good offers for the web as well. By the grace of God, I balance it out with all mediums.," she added.

She has not set any goals for herself. "I have given 27-28 years to the industry. I started my career somewhere in 1992 and now is a time that I have started enjoying different roles. TV is something that I have really enjoyed doing. I feel that I am in a very happy space," she said.
 
She is very happy and satisfied with the work she is getting. "Now people will look at a different Delnaaz because the kind of work I am doing is not only comedy. I still feel that I could have had a better career in movies," she said.

According to her, her fans have been her support system. "Be it reality or comedy shows or my reels, people have supported me. They love me for who I am and that's the greatest thing.If they are not there, we are not there so a big thank you to all.

She also has a message for her fans.

"We all have gone through a lot in these two years. I request my fans to have a little compassion for each other. I have never been trolled for anything and I am extremely blessed for that.  My audiences have always loved me immensely. I have seen a lot of actors facing trauma because of the heavy trolling. Therefore, I would request the audience that before writing a nasty comment for someone, please think twice. Everyone is fighting their own battle. I would wish all of them a happy 2022," she said.

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Aditya Deshmukh shares his opinion on possible lockdown

 After seeing a surge in the number of COVID cases, Mumbai Mayor said that a lockdown will be imposed in Mumbai if the daily COVID-19 cases cross the 20,000 mark. Ziddi Dil Maane Na actor Aditya Deshmukh is not against it but doesn't want work to be stopped.

"I feel the mayor does not have any other option as at the end of the day, he has to take care of the city as he is city’s mayor. Unke bhi haath bandhe huye hai, cases agar aisehi badhte jayenge toh he has to take care of the city," he said.

"If people ask me about my thoughts then let’s not talk about the other end of the spectrum because they have to think about a lot of things while making a decision as it’s all about the city," he added.

Everybody needs to go to work everyday, make money, make career as Mumbai is a city of dreams, he feels.

"People come here to fulfil their dreams, so when such things happen in between, one feels very bad just by thinking that lockdown might happen again, and we have to control this situation now as we do not have anything to stop it, so I would say let them do their job, that’s why I never say anything as they know their rights and duties. 

"They are doing their job, God has given everyone a type of job like my job is to entertain people, to perform and make people smile or laugh. Similarly, their job is to take care of the city and if they think that lockdown is essential then let them. I feel lockdown kariye par two saal pehele jaise lockdown jaise mat kariyega, bohot nuksaan jhelna padega logo ko and we cannot define the losses people have gone through. We don’t want that to be repeated."

He doesn’t think that people of Mumbai are prepared for another lockdown. "We don’t have anything at all. All we have is our work, our experience and our hard work, but as you all say there will be a lockdown and keeping everything closed then you are more understanding, I would say logo ko berozgaar mat kijiyega, logo ka kaam mat band kaijiyega, thode time tak unn kamon ko allow kijiyega jo kaam sab kar rahe hai kyuki at the end of the day city functioning nahi huyi toh bohot losses honge, desh ka bhi nuksaan hoga," he said.

He feels there will be many financial losses if the lockdown happens again. "So the decision should be taken keeping all these things in mind because lockdown is not the only solution, but again I would say he’s the mayor of the city so he would understand better, so I would say neither I am in favour of this nor I am against it. I'd suggest if you go for lockdown, at least keep the work going," he added.

He suggested time restrictions can be followed in such cases. "But don’t stop it completely because if there is no work then people will not earn and people will be very demotivated, so the city should take decision accordingly," he said.

Statement from Rajesh Ram Singh & Pradeep Kumar, Producers, Cockcrow & Shaika Entertainment

 Actress Ayesha Singh who is an integral part of the TV show ‘Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin’ has tested positive for COVID-19. As soon as the symptoms were detected, she received medical help and has quarantined herself. Immediately thereupon the entire cast & crew were isolated and tested. The BMC is informed and the sets will be fumigated and sterilized as per the protocol. Currently, the artist is receiving medical attention and is under home quarantine. We are constantly in touch with the entire team as their health is our priority. We stand by our commitment to safety and will continue to ensure that all measures prescribed by the authorities are being adhered to.”

Statement from Producers Sunjoy Waddhwa & Comall Sunjoy Waddhwa from Sphereorigins “

 Actors Alice Kaushik, Akshay Kharodia, Simran Budharup, and Mohit Parmar who are a part of the TV show Pandya Store have tested positive for COVID-19. All of them have received medical help / attention and are under quarantine. The BMC is informed and the sets have been fumigated and sterilized as per the protocol. We are constantly in touch with the entire team as their health is our priority. We stand by our commitment to safety and will continue to ensure that all measures prescribed by the authorities are being adhered to.”

Vidyut Xavier: Not easy to keep audiences intrigued for an hour, all credit to Herumb Khot and Nilanjana Purkayasstha for making Dhadkhan Zindagi Kii a success

 Dhadkan Zindagi Kii (DZK) is generating good responses and Vidyut Xavier is on cloud nine. The actor plays the role of Vijay Sathe in this Herumb Khot and Nilanjana Purkayasstha production. His performance is also getting noticed and being complimented by fans.

“The best compliment I got from the show was from my brother. After watching the first four episodes he told me that while watching me perform, he forgot he was watching his brother on-screen and could only see the character. Trust me after my mom and dad, my brother is my biggest critic. He always finds flaws in my performances to keep me grounded. I’m really grateful to him,” he says.

The medical drama is based on the lives of doctors. After being a part of the show Vidyut now understands their life better.

“Now I know the lives of doctors are much more difficult and complicated as they are working 24X7. Kudos to them. It is not an easy job to save lives especially when they have to stay away from their family. They have to compromise on their personal life,” he adds.

Talking about taking real life experiences to play the role, Vidyut says, “My parents are very close friends with doctors, especially my mom. I have visited doctors so many times until now, whether it is for my skin, hair, or injuries as I have been into sports, so I would hurt myself often. So I have closely watched them, their body language, how they behave with patients and that helped,” he says.

Showering praises on Herumb and Nilanjana, he shares they have an eye for details and makes sure that scenes look real. “Honestly, Nilanjana ma’am and Herumb sir are the kind of producers who actively participate in their projects, from scripting, to forming a team, casting, look, scenes etc. and they make sure everything and everybody gives their 100 percent. I am very lucky to have such fabulous and hardworking producers and team. I feel really grateful to be working with them,” he shares.

Each episode is one hour long, a rare thing on TV these days. Yet, the show has managed to hold everyone’s attention.

“It’s not an easy job to keep your audience intrigued for an hour like that too in a daily soap. But this show is special. The entire team is keeping the audiences’ interested for an hour, all thanks to the entire team of the show,” he says.

Sharing an incident from the set, Vidyut adds that his solo surgery was very interesting. The use of prosthetics, scalpel, having the right attitude and posture to get things done properly was quite an experience for the actor.

The dialogues in the show use medical terminology as well. How did you get a hang of it? “Having medical terms in the dialogues was the most difficult part as we aren’t used to using those terms daily, so it isn’t easy. It has to be pronounced correctly but when you give your 100 percent to anything with complete sincerity nothing is impossible. With hard work and consistency everything is possible,” he adds.

Rohit Purohit on Dhadkan Zindaggi Kii: I'm playing a complicated character, but I’m loving it

 Actor Rohit Purohit is getting compliments for his role in Dhadkan Zindaggi Kii. He says that even though his character in the show is complicated, he is loving it.

"I’ve got a very good response for Dhadkan Zindaggi Kii and people are loving the show immensely. It’s such a unique show. Jab aap banaate ho toh darr lagta hai logon ko pasand ayega ya nahi ayega, but I’m so happy and glad that we are receiving so much love, people are liking it and understanding the story, they’re talking about the screenplay, direction and performances, so it’s nice to be part of such show," he said.

"The best compliment is the fact that people are liking me in the show even after playing such a toxic boyfriend in the initial episodes and flashback, so I’m receiving immense amount of love and I’m happy about it," he added.

It is based on the lives of doctors, and he feels that he understands their life better now.

"100% as it’s all about the lives of doctors, and getting familiar with doctors is something I feel bachpan se hi hum sabka paala pada hai, unpe hum hamesha se hi dependent rahe hai. Since I’m playing a doctor now, I’m getting to understand doctors better and understand their life along with their side of the story. They work so hard to save lives of people. They work for such long hours. Now we understand their importance and their role in the society," he said.

The show is produced by Nilanjana Purkayasstha and Herumb Khot of Invictus T Mediaworks along with Studio Next.

"Nilanjana ma’am and Herumb sir are wonderful producers. They are also very creative. This is my third show with them, and I feel fortunate to work with them. Every time I work with them unki detailing, unki kahaani, unke kehne ka tarika, aur vision so Dhadkan uska ek prime example hai, so I’m really happy. I’ve told them so many times that I feel grateful that they have given me this opportunity to play Vikrant Saxena. It’s such a complicated character, but I’m loving it," said the actor.

The show's duration is one hour, which is a rare thing on TV now. "Yes, it’s got a 10 pm slot and the episodes are for one hour. I’m glad that people are liking it and watching it. It’s winter time where people in north sleep very early, but still the response I’m getting and the fact ki raat ko late tak jaag ke bhi show dekh rahe hai log. Even on Sony Liv people are watching it, so I feel really blessed to be a part of this show with this amazing story and such a good direction, all the actors are wonderful," he said.

But the medical terminologies in the show are no less than a nightmare for him. "After getting used to it, I’ve started understanding it but in the beginning when I started shooting, it was a big deal," he said.

Learning those terms and performing them in an urgency like a doctor was not easy for him.

"It used to be a nightmare at some point of time. I remember going home and discussing scenes with Sheena. She also helped me. She watches American medical shows, so she suggested me some of them like The Good Doctor and Grey's Anatomy. I’m not the kind of person who watches TV or web shows, so she used to forcefully make me sit and watch all those shows to understand how doctors behave, so this credit goes to her for helping me," he said.

Possible Mumbai lockdown: Celebs raise concern around the third wave, also share whether a lockdown will help

 With the Omicron variant raging havoc again, things are only getting grim. Given the surge in COVID cases,celebrities talk about the present situation, impending lockdown and if they are prepared to deal with the third wave:

 

Aalisha Panwar- I think lockdown should be the last option because it might reduce the COVID cases but there will be many who will die of hunger, because daily wagers won't be able to get work during that time. I feel they should instead increase the night curfew time and should start it from say 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. So basically the city is open from 5 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. But the citizens should take responsibility as well and go out only when its necessary. I know there are a lot of people who need to commute daily for work, they must wear a mask at all times and use sanitiser. Social distancing should also be followed at all times.  

Angad Hasija - I pray that lockdown does not happen because people are already going through a tough phase. People should get particular about the timings and take precautions. Imposing a lockdown would create more problems. Mumbai is the hub of the entertainment and business industry and it has already suffered a lot, where it is trying to get back on its feet. 

Aman Maheshwari-  According to me, if it's important to impose lockdown then the partial lockdown or the night curfew will be really good and complete lockdown will cause trouble because with a lot of hard work people have got back to their routine lives. Imposing complete lockdown will make it very difficult to survive and I would say that people should behave responsibly and wear masks

Perneet Chauhan - Lockdown has become the saddest word for all of us. I don’t think lockdown is the answer to the situation. Better measures need to be taken. Taking advice from our healthcare department is important. They know the best ways to curb the spread. Honestly, no one is really prepared for it. But we have to do what the time requires us to do. Keep your close ones close and spirits high!

Ajay Chaudhary- COVID cases are a growing concern. I would suggest that we all should take complete precautions. We are already double vaccinated but still we should take care of ourselves. Ultimately people should understand to be careful

Nupur Joshi- I strongly believe that people should take responsibility for their actions. Putting a lockdown will not help much. Sadly, people are not following the guidelines and not wearing masks so at the end lockdown is the last resort. It's shameful that we are not understanding. Shutting down everything is not the solution. People should understand and take care and not laugh at it. We are in the third wave and if we do not understand the intensity of the surge then lockdown is the only solution.

Meera Deosthale- We survived a lockdown and know how traumatic it was. It took a toll on most of us not just financially but emotionally and mentally too. So I feel imposing a lockdown won't do any good when people are still recovering from the last lockdown. Instead, the government should impose stricter rules and fines. We need to help ourselves to keep ourselves safe and there is no point blaming others when we are the ones not following any precautionary measures. So I would request everyone to stay home, stay safe and mask up.

Sachin Tyagi: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai gives you hope in this time of adversities

 Actor Sachin Tyagi says Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai gives hope to people in this time of adversities.

"YRKKH has always clicked with the masses and classes and will continue to do so. Whether it's me or someone else playing whatever character, it's the show. It is immortal," said the actor who plays Manish Goenka in the daily soap.

He didn't have a career before this show. "This is what has made me a relevant, successful, recognised, a known face and an actor," he said.

 

The show is produced by Rajan Shahi of Directors Kut Production. "I enjoy shooting for the show and I really don't get to watch much of it," he said with a laugh. 

"But yes I have always liked the look of the show and how it makes you feel. How the episode gets over is something quite surprising because you just don't know how time passes," he added.

Even though he gets compliments for his performance, he feels that they are not to be taken seriously. "I honestly don't even remember what people say," he said.

According to him, people relate to the show. "They want their life to be like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai when it's about positivity and festivities and even if relationships go wrong, ultimately comes back on track. It's about hope," he said. 

"Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai gives you hope in this time of adversities that come and whatever may happen, but the show keeps entertaining you and living rightly I guess life will continue to be very good and happy and prosperous," he added.

Nupur Joshi: Delhi has some amazing lip-smacking street food, chaats and momos are a must have every time I am there

 Like a true blue Delhite, Nupur Joshi says that her connection with Delhi is as old as she is. And why not? After all, the Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actor was born and raised in the capital.

 
“Winters are one of my favourite seasons, and Delhi gives me umpteen opportunities to enjoy it… You get to eat delicious food, wear colourful warm clothes. And I also enjoyed my ice creams during winters too. Delhi has some amazing lip-smacking street food varieties. Chaats and momos are a must have every time I visit Delhi,” she says.
 
The pollution and fog in Delhi are always talked about, more so during Diwali and winters. How do you think this can be solved? “It is a work in progress. I feel the Delhi government is consciously working towards cutting down the pollution and regulations are quite strict, not only around winters, but throughout the year. I have experienced the change in the air quality myself. I just hope things get better soon,” she ends.

photo credit: Akshay Sadana 

Statement from Subrat Sinha & Bodhisattva, Producers, Gaatha Films, LLP regarding Sharad Malhotra contracting covid

 “Actor

Sharad Malhotra who is an integral part of the TV show Vidrohi has tested positive for COVID-19 today. Though he was not shooting with us for the past few days, as soon as he informed us, the entire cast and crew were tested. The BMC has been informed and the sets have been fumigated and sterilized as per the protocol. Currently, Sharad is receiving medical attention and is under home quarantine. We are constantly in touch with the entire team as their health is our priority. We stand by our commitment to safety and will continue to ensure that all measures prescribed by the authorities are being adhered to.”

People not following social-distancing should be punished: Vijayendra Kumeria

 With the number of Covid-19 cases increasing every day, it's still a little scary to step outside our houses. Social-distancing is the need of the hour and even though it is one rule that should be religiously followed, people have ignored it completely. Vijayendra Kumeria says people who are not following it should be punished.

"Social-distancing is very very important. It should be strictly implemented, and people not following it should be punished. This is a serious problem that shouldn't be ignored and should be followed with discipline," he said.

The actor, however, feels that though people are scared of the outbreak, they need to step out of their houses for their daily bread and butter. He said, "The Covid-19 scare hasn’t reduced but to earn a living people need to work. No one will feed them for free. I think it's not what people want but what they need that matters."

The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown definitely brought in a lot of positive changes. People have become more conscious hygienically. They are not just washing their hands frequently, but also anything and everything they buy. From milk packets to vegetables and other food items, they don't enter the house without a thorough wash. Vijayendra feels people should continue with this habit even after things get back to normal. 

He said, "Personally I have always maintained good hygiene but now when I see everyone doing it, I really feel good that people are aware and doing it. I hope people don’t forget these habits even after we return to normalcy."

We hope so too. And is he doing anything to keep his mind at peace, Vijayendra said, "I write, I like to pen down my thoughts, good, bad or ugly, then from those thoughts, I try making concepts for content. This way I keep my cool and also get something productive out of my thoughts."

Love Ne Mila Di Jodi actress Perneet Chauhan enjoys spring season the most.

 "I love spring time, it's not too cold and not too hot, just a perfect balance," she said. Winter season is here, but unfortunately Mumbaikars don't get to enjoy it the way people of other parts of the country do.

Asked if she likes the chilly season, she said, "In Mumbai of course like most people, I love November, December, January and February. That time there is a little cool spring kind of weather. I tend to feel colder than others, so I enjoy wearing a light jacket."

She wants to visit Gulmarg someday during winter season. "Kashmir is a beautiful place. My parents have been there, but I haven’t had a chance to visit yet. I would love to be in New York during winter season, especially during Christmas time to see all the beautiful decorations there," she shared.

During winter, she loves to eat Maggi and drink ginger tea or any flavoured green tea. Showbiz people hardly get long holidays. "When there’s work, it’s only work, but when there’s a break from work I would love to travel as much as possible. I guess that’s the only way it works for actors," she said.

For a three or four-day break, she prefers to go for a jungle safari because she loves wildlife. "Jungles are so peaceful and away from the city's hustle-bustle," she said.

Zohaeb Farooqui: I love this industry and this is the only work in the world I want to, so without thinking about the pros and cons, I want to enjoy the process

 The entertainment industry has evolved over the years. The advent of technology, choice of content, online boom and the change in viewing habits are the reasons behind it. However, the last two years have been tough given the pandemic, but showbiz is slowly getting back to its feet, says Zohaeb Farooqui. The Inspector Avinash actor also points out that it’s not just the entertainment industry, but every other sector got affected by the virus scare.

 
“During the pandemic phase, there was no option but to bounce back. I’m glad everything slowly and gradually is getting back on track. And things have evolved in the last two years. Audiences' viewpoints have changed to an extent all the more. Lockdown introduced them to a lot more content-driven cinema and amazing shows from all over the world,” says the actor
 
Talking about the good or bad of being a part of the entertainment industry and what is special about his journey as an actor, he adds, “I honestly, never thought about the pros and cons of the entertainment industry. I love this industry and this is the only work in the world I want to do. So why to gauge anything, I just want to enjoy the process. The journey as an actor so far has been special. I’ve been gaining so much knowledge. Learning and patience are the two things that will go with me till the end.”
 
Zohaeb’s career goals are to just work and work and meet plenty of amazing talents around the world. He is not satisfied with how his career is moving ahead, and wants to do “much more” in the coming times.

Sharing a message for his audience/fans and the goodbye note to 2021, he says, “Think less, work more and enjoy to the maximum… And my goodbye note will be ‘Picture abhi baaki hai’ (smiles).

Arslan Goni: OTT platforms evolved a lot in these past two years and it sort of helped the industry stay afloat

 he last two years were not only tough for the entertainment industry, but it was tough for the entire world, says Arslan Goni. The Mystery Man actor explains that like every other industry, showbiz also suffered, but at least the latter had OTT.

 
“OTT platforms evolved a lot in these past two years and it sort of helped the industry stay afloat. Because people were sitting at home and had nothing else to do or anything new to watch on television, they were hooked on OTT. But of course only OTT won’t help, we need our cinemas, plays and TV shows to do well. We will sail through,” he says.
 

About the pros and cons of being a part of the entertainment industry, he adds, “If you're successful there are only pros (laughs). And the cons are that it takes a lot of time to achieve that success because it's not an easy industry to be in. Lot of time, effort, energy and hard work also isn’t enough, when luck sort of decides everything. As an artist, I also want my work to get recognised… This journey is of course special for me. I know things take time, it’s a long process, you meet a lot of people, you learn a lot of things but everything is worth the work you do. This world is both creative and democratic. The level of acceptance in this industry is a lot more about how you go about things, what your ideas and views are, how much hard work you can do etc.”

Till now, Arslan says that none of the projects he has done so far has made a mark in his career. He is still waiting for that one project. In fact, his next is very special to him, and hopes it will connect with the audience.
 
“My career goal is now that I need a good, excellent role because whatever work I've done so far I've realised that my artistic potential is much higher than that. There's someone who will trust me at some point of time. It will happen for sure. At the same time, I'm satisfied with the way my career is going. But obviously, the hunger is always for more. You want to do better. I treat every project as my first and last, try to make it exciting, for you never know what’s in store for tomorrow,” he shares.
 
Ask about the message he wants to give his fans and his goodbye note to 2021 and he says, “Be safe and stay healthy. These are tough times but we'll go through it and get over it. We must adapt to the situation, and then overcome it. I will want to give my audience some good work and will try to do more good work. Hope they will enjoy my work and love it.”