Sushant and Ankita's bedroom secret

Sushant Singh Rajput borrowed tips from his real-life live-in romance for his next film

Sushant Singh Rajput's role in his upcoming film Shuddh Desi Romance bears a striking similarity to his real life. Just like how he is portrayed in the rom-com, Sushant too is a small-town lad and has been in a live-in relationship with his girlfriend.

According to sources, director Maneesh Sharma had an easy time explaining his role to the actor while for Sushant too, stepping into his character's shoes was a cakewalk. Our source says, Sushant hails from Patna while his live-in sweetheart Ankita Lokhande hails from Indore. He has been quite open about his relationship just like in the film. They have stood by each other through thick and thin.

Sushant and Parineeti in their next film

In the film, he and his on screen girlfriend Parineeti Chopra are shown to be in a similar situation. In real life as well, he knows the pros and cons about living together. He didn't have to prepare much before shooting commenced. The official spokesperson of the film remained unavailable for comment.

read more...

2012: What a leap year for small screen!

The year 2012 has been a 'leap' year in every which way as far as the Indian small screen is concerned. Popular shows like "Pavitra Rishta", "Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai" and "Kya Hua Tera Vaada" are leaping forward - by months or years to take the story forward and keep viewers engaged. 

Zee TV's "Pavitra Rishta" took a six-month leap Monday as did Star Plus' "Yeh Rishta..." that moved five years ahead; Sony's "Kya Hua Tera Vaada" is also expected to move nine or 15 years ahead this week. 

Zee TV's "Hitler Didi" moved ahead by eight years in September and Life OK's "Dil Se Di Dua. Saubhagyavati Bhava" took a leap of seven years around the same time.

The idea is to keep the audience hooked, says actor Sameer Soni, whose show "Parichay: Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka" on Colors took a nine-year leap in August. 

"It does take a little time to hook on (to a leap in a show), but then with the continuity of the character, it is just a matter of time before viewers start adjusting to the newer show," Sameer told. 

"If this (change) goes well, then 90 percent time, the show is a success. Ultimately, all you do is take the same characters and put them in a new situation," he added. 

Shows like "Pavitra Rishta" and "Uttaran" have taken multiple leaps to keep the story going and it is often done to revive dipping television rating points (TRPs).

Veteran actress Aruna Irani, who has featured in television shows like "Vaidehi", "Jhansi Ki Rani" and "Main Laxmi Tere Aangan Ki", feels it is important for writers to bring a change in the script as the audience tends to get bored with the same plot over time. 

"For how long can you talk about the same thing? It is definitely very important to take a turn because even the audience will not like the same thing for a long time. The writer has to turn the story around after some time because it has to hold your interest," Aruna told IANS. 

The trend is not new.
Ekta Kapoor's trendsetting shows "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahi Thi", "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" and "Kasauti Zindagi Kay", which ruled the roost for a long time, popularised the formula.

At that time, however, a leap meant the addition of a white streak in the hairstyle, or a pair of spectacles, or more conservative blouses, or a walking stick. The leaps are a tad different now.

When the story of "Bade Achche Lagte Hain" moved five years ahead, actress Sakshi Tanwar's character Priya was shown to be more modern in her dressing than before. Same was the case with actress Renuka Israni, who plays Priya's mother in the show.

In "Uttaran", actress Tina Dutta was shown in a double role post the leap. In one role, she played middle-aged Ichcha, clad in simple and dull saris, while in the role of Ichcha's look-alike daughter Meethi, she was seen in bright and colourful fusion wear. 

Also, earlier, the leaps were long - as much as 20 years. But that has reduced to a few years, and sometimes, as less as six months, as in the case of "Pavitra Rishta".

Often, actors leave shows after a leap for the simple reason that they don't want to look older than their own age.

read more...

Pavitra Rishta takes 6-month leap

Come December 3, producer Ekta Kapoor presses the 'fast forward' button and takes the track of her top-rated prime time drama on Zee TV - Pavitra Rishta ahead by 6 months this time.

Yes, the popular dinner-time soap has seen a 4-year leap, then a 20-year leap and with each leap, viewers were in for a surprising ... at times, shocking turn of events.

The 6-month leap, this time around, will be no exception.

In an exciting twist, viewers will soon be transported to Kolkata where Arjun (Rithvik Dhanjani), now an accomplished businessman, will be seen traveling for a meeting; back home, wife Ovi (Shruti Kanwar) is pregnant with several complications and he must land an appointment with renowned Kolkata-based gynaecologist Dr. Onir Dutta, the only man capable of helping Ovi.

Enter actor Shakti Arora as the reputed doctor ... will Dr. Dutta manage to save Ovi and her baby?

Speaking of his new role on the show, Shakti Arora said, It's an honor to be considered for one of the most successful shows on Indian television ... I'd like to thank Ekta m'am and Zee TV for the opportunity.

"My association with Zee goes back to the time I played Mukul in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo.. then again I played Angad in Sanskaar Laxmi. So it's great to be back on Zee as Dr. Onir in Pavitra Rishta.

"It's an interesting role ... Let's hope the audience enjoys my performance and the track in Kolkata!

In the meanwhile, viewers will be stumped to see an pregnant Purvi (Asha Negi) in Kolkata too, wearing the traditional Bengali 'laal par saada' saree.

Has she settled down in Kolkata? Who is she married to? And who is the father of her child?

Will Manav and Archana be able to hold their children together or will the new developments breed animosity between the siblings?

A lot of questions will be raised and answered as the track of Pavitra Rishta packs in a punch post the 6-month leap.

read more...

TV stars do mid-air mujra

Leading ladies of Zee TV's popular sopas will be seen doing a mid-air mujra at Zee Rishtey Awards to be aired coming Sunday.

Ankita Lokhande (Archana of Pavitra Rishta), Kratika Sengar (Aarti of Punarvivaah), Narayani Shastri (Gulabiya of Phir Subah Hogi) and Vindhya Tiwari (Lovely of Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein) came together on stage to perform a scintillating mujra while suspended high up in the air above the audience.

This act opened with Narayani Shastri, in an ethnic silver dress, stylishly descending a staircase and giving her latkas and jhatkas to the popular 'Bedardi Raja' from Delhi Belly.

The audience went into a frenzy as Ankita Lokhande took to the stage looking stunning in a red and black sharara and brought the house down with her sensuous moves to 'Jhallah Wallah'.

Vindhya Tiwari was at her graceful best as she danced to 'In aankhon ki masti mein' from Umrao Jaan exuding the romance and the adaa reminiscent of an early day Rekha.

Then, it was gorgeous Kratika Sengar who had every man in the audience eating out of her hands as she played the impish courtesan with flourish, dancing to 'Dil mera muft ka'.

The climax of the act where all four gorgeous women were swept off their feet and lifted 20 feet into the air for their `mid-air mujra` was doubtlessly the piece de resistance.

Of course if the ladies were flying high, our heroes weren't about to be left behind.

Rithvik Dhanjani (Arjun of Pavitra Rishta), Gurmeet Chaudhary (Yash of Punarvivaah) and Nandish Sandhu (Aditya of Phir Subah Hogi) tried on superhero avatars complete with daredevil stunts and props.

Rithvik executed a series of complicated flips and spins all while he was suspended high above the stage as he performed to 'Raftaarein'.

Gurmeet, on the other hand, literally played with fire as he danced to the highly energetic 'Ishaqzaade' all while twirling batons of fire.

Nandish too was the epitome of machismo when he took to the stage to perform to the trance like 'Behne de' from Raavan.

read more...