Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Male actors sweat it out for Ekta's 'Mahabharat'

The actors in Ekta Kapoor's epic soap 'Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki' say they had to hit the gym regularly and work out hard to suit their macho roles in the period drama.

Actor Ronit Roy, who plays Bhishma Pitamah in the new, technologically enhanced version of Hindu epic 'Mahabharat' claims no actor has been working harder than him to get into shape.

'I started with training for three hours a day and now I work out for about two hours every day,' Ronit told IANS over phone from Mumbai. 'I have worked extremely hard on my physique, in fact no body has worked harder than me.'

Chetan Hansraj, known for his well-toned, tall and broad body frame, plays the role of Bheem, considered the most powerful of the Pandavas. Even he vouches that Ronit worked really hard on his body.

Chetan also followed a strict training and diet regime.

'It took me almost four months of training and nutritional control to get into shape for the role.

'I have also been on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. I had to stop my intake of cheese and rice and my diet mainly constituted of chicken with other supplements.'

Although he isn't much of a workout person, Chetan, who played the negative role of Sasha in 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki', had to drag himself to the gym.

'It has been very difficult for me because basically I'm a very lazy person,' he confessed.

Compared to other members of the team, model-turned-actor Aryan Vaid, who essays the role of Duryodhan, says he didn't have to work too hard.

'I haven't put in any special efforts in terms of physique, neither did I change my diet. I think I was already in good shape and I guess that's the reason why the producers cast me,' he said.

Aryan stressed that working out has become a daily habit for him now.

'I generally work out for one-and-a-half hours a day and I have been working out for the past 16 years. I really haven't done anything for 'Mahabharat',' he said.

Actor Harshad Chopra, who is also a fitness freak like Aryan, plays Arjun in the mega serial.

'I have always been a fitness freak. I work out regularly so my workouts have been more or less the same,' he maintained. Harshad said bagging the role of Arjun just motivated him to continue his workouts.

'This is like a new motivation for me to keep fit. I knew that I would have to appear semi-nude on screen for the role so I had to look good,' he said.

'Kahaani Hamaare Mahaabhaarat Ki' is one of Ekta's most expensive and lavishly produced shows on television with spectacular sets and designer costumes. It has an array of popular TV stars including actresses Sakshi Tanwar and Anita Hanssanandani.

29 July 2008 Watch Online / Download links

Monday, July 28, 2008

Ekta's Dushasan is called Eijaz

Eijaz Khan is playing Dushasan in Ekta's Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabhaarat Ki. Despite being a Muslim, Eijaz has no qualms about doing the role and says he is preparing very hard for the role.



An excited Eijaz says, "I am an actor so religion does not come in between. I have seen DVD's of the original Mahabharat and I know Vinod Kapoor who played Dushasan in it. The language has a Sanskrit touch so I have practiced hard for it. I also read Mahabharat after signing this show. It took only 8 days for me. As far as training is concerned I am already a black belt holder and have done martial arts too. I am very particular about my body."

The actor, who has worked with Balaji in Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka says he always wanted to portray a negative character. He adds, "The other reason for doing this show was it is a huge show and I wanted to become famous. Manish Malhotra has given us a nice look and Aleem good hair styles so what more I can ask for. We all knew that it is a grand show. My character of Dushasan is very powerful; his power was often compared to 100 elephants. Even Bheem was tired of him after fighting with him for 18 days in the Kurukshtra war. Finally, Lord Krishna had to help him out. Shakuni too chose Dushasan to get Draupadi because he was very powerful."



Sharing his working experience, he says, "It was mind-blowing. Once we were shooting for the cheerharan scene. Anita, who is playing Draupadi is very sweet. She told me to be careful while pulling her saree but I was so embarrassed and scared that I was not ready for it. I did the scene and everyone was laughing at my initial nervousness. But the scene came out really well in the end."

Eijaz will soon be seen in the film EK-The Power Of One where he is again playing a negative.

His new show Tera Ashirwad starts on July 27 in which he is playing the lead role.

A leap from medicine to acting for Uma Shankar...



Uma Shankar, who plays Yudhisthir in Ekta's Kahaani Humaarey Mahaabhaarat Ki has left his practice of clinical psychology to play this coveted role... Here is the doctor turned actor in a candid talk..


Ekta Kapoor seems to be leaving no stone unturned to get the cast and crew for her Kahaani Hamaarey Mahaabhaarat Ki on 9X. First it was the talent hunt for Krishna in which babies born on Janmasthami were allowed to participate. And now it is the screen tests she conducted for a number of actors to select the right ones for the serial. And she does have an army of actors from different professions for her serial. Case in point is Yudhisthir (played by Uma Shankar) who left a flourishing practice in psychology to act in the serial.

Believe it or not, that is what the clinical psychologist (who is also an NSD pass out) did. “Actually, I was always interested in acting. I hail from Uttarakhand and came to Mumbai in 2001 to make a career in acting, after passing out from National School of Drama. But nothing clicked for me in Bollywood and I had to be content with commercials”, says the actor whose Kelvinator, Centurion Bank and Kinetic bike commercials became popular. Later, the lad opened a chamber in the plush suburbs of Bandra in Mumbai and resumed his medical practice.

When he read about Ekta Kapoor doing a Mahabharata, he promptly went to the Balaji office and wanted to participate in the auditions. Thankfully, the staff allowed him and he got selected. “I was initially offered the role of Chitrangad and then Parashuram. But since I was looking for something bigger, I declined both. Then few days later, I got a call from Balaji informing me that I had been selected for the role of Yudhisthir. Needless to say, I was thrilled!”, recollects Uma.

The actor is all praise for the look that Manish Malhotra has designed for the cast. “It changes the perception of Indian mythological looks completely and is extremely smart. I think this is one of the main differentiating factors of this serial. I also had to undergo a change in look and had to grow a beard for the serial! For me, working with the entire cast and crew of this show has been a great experience. The way Ekta has been guiding me or Mr Shantaram (the director) has been leading us is amazing”.

Uma has just come back from a shoot in Jaipur for the serial and hopes this will become one of the path breaking serials in the Indian television industry.

Kahaani Humaarey Mahaabhaarat Ki - A Look at the First week!!



As we look forward to the second week of Ekta's Mahaabhaarat...............


OK, Ekta Kapoor finally unleashed her version of the Mahabharat on 9X last week and before we get to see the second's week's happenings, here we go analyzing the start of Kahaani Humaarey Mahaabhaarat Ki.

Unlike most of her serials, which get away showing rubbish, viewers won't take too kindly to any liberties taken with the much-loved epic. First things first, while she was bang on, in the first episode starting it off with the crucial Draupadi vastraharan – after all Ekta's penchant for drama is well known -- and she sure knows that it's that one episode in Mahabharat which is bound to attract eyeballs and give ample scope for theatrics – the actors fudged it up with their loud, screechy performances.

Anita Hasanandani as the sultry Draupadi (in flaming red Manish Malhotra sari) looked sexy alright; all spit and fire, but somehow lacked the gravitas a Rupa Ganguly had brought to the queen of the Pandavas two decades ago in B R Chopra's Mahabharat. Anita screamed and screamed, doing no justice to her heavy-duty lines.

Worse, none of the Pandavas were given a chance to open their mouths because sadly except for the guy playing Yudhisthir, the others seemed to be 'extras' filling in for the real actors. Cheat shooting, anyone? So all we saw was a well toned, glistening back of Bheema and Arjuna's bow, Bheeshma's clenched fists, and Drithrashtra's blinking eyes. Come on, the least she could have done was get the main cast in place and have them ready and kicking for the first episode.

Aryan Vaid as Duryodhana underplayed his wicked part (thankfully) while the actor paying Dusshasan went hammer and tongs as his kohled-eyes did a Kathakali dance. Yet, it was a fairly gripping episode with the foundation laid for some heavy duty drama.

Alas, the second, third and fourth episodes were a journey downhill. Sakshi Tanwar as Ganga, despite her flowing Ganges look, couldn't rise above Parvati Agarwal, a character she's known for, for seven years now. Ditto, Kiran Karmarkar as the insipid Shantanu. He looked tired against the breathtaking locales of Ladakh (that begs the question, why Ladakh?). Makarand Deshpande as Ved Vyasa hammed to the hilt and the actor playing Lord Ganesha looked despicable riding a hairy mouse! (gross).

While the Thursday episode ended with a tight close up of Ronit Roy (haggard) as Bheeshma, it remains to be seen where this kahaani hamare Mahabharat Ki takes the viewers. And it's sure going to be one hellish ride.

So what's wrong with Ekta's version? Getting popular established actors to play key parts is a great idea but sadly, that works against their performances. For instance, it's very difficult to see a Sakshi beyond Parvati or Ronit beyond Bajaj.

Putting up a K-saga in a blue and pink cardboard room set is one thing and mounting Mahabharat is another, especially when viewers still hold the original Mahabharat close to their hearts. A face off between a Tulsi Virani and Ansh Gujral is a sure TRP winner but when you have Shantanu and Devrata (a young Bheeshma) fighting with cardboard swords – a situation which doesn't exist in the Mahabharat – just for the sake of drama, it's just not right.

And so, all said and done, it's a humble request to Ms Kapoor to be careful with her depiction of the maha epic, lest it ruffles the feathers of die-hard Mahabharat fans.

28 July 2008 Watch Online / Download links

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

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14 July 2008 Watch online / Download Links

14 July 2008 Watch online

Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki gets 3 co-sponsors

Airtel, Max New York Life and ITC Personal Care have tied up with 9X, the Hindi GEC from the INX Network, as co-sponsors for epic series Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki, which airs from July 07.The mythological drama, produced by Balaji Telefilms, will air Mondays to Thursdays at 9 pm, and features some of the Indian television industry's biggest stars.Probal Gaanguly, group director, revenue management, advertising sales and new media, INX Media, said, "Kahaani Hamaaray Mahabharat Ki has been created with the highest production values. I am delighted to announce that some of the most prestigious brands are co-sponsors of this epic series.

"The timeless drama features Ronit Roy, Sakshi Tanwar, Aryan Vaid, Chetan Hansraj, Akashdeep Saigal, Anita Hassanandani, Rakshanda Khan, Makrand Deshpande and Kiran Karmarkar in lead roles.The series features the best technical team and a powerful, well researched script with costumes by Manish Malhotra.

10 July 2008 Watch online / Download Links

10 July 2008 Watch online / Download Links

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08 July 2008 Watch online / Download Links

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07 July 2008 Watch online / Download Links

07 July 2008 Watch online / Download Links
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The biggest epic Kahaani Hamaaray MAHAABHAARAT Ki starts 7th July

Finally, the question being asked by millions of TV viewers across India has been answered. Mega Hindi GEC 9X has announced the launch date of its magnum opus, Kahaani Hamaaray MAHAABHAARAT Ki, which has undoubtedly been the most eagerly awaited show in the country this year.

Indrani Mukerjea, Founder & CEO, INX Media, said, "I am delighted to announce that Kahaani Hamaaray MAHAABHAARAT Ki will premiere on 9X on the 7th of July, at 9 pm, and will air Mondays to Thursdays. I am confident that 9X's MAHAABHAARAT, which has the biggest Indian stars in the greatest drama ever, will do justice to the great epic with its unique and contemporary presentation, and will help us deliver yet again on 9X’s promise of 9 times more entertainment to millions of TV viewers across the nation."

Kahaani Hamaaray MAHAABHAARAT Ki has been made with the highest production values and a grandeur never seen before. This compelling and timeless drama, produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms for 9X, features an array of super stars such as Ronit Roy, Sakshi Tanwar, Aryan Vaid, Chetan Hansraj, Akashdeep Saigal, Anita Hassanandani, Rakshanda Khan and Makrand Deshpande, along with several others whose names will be revealed over the next few days. Through the epic series, 9X will also present to Indian TV viewers some of the most exciting new talent.

Shot on a truly epic scale with spectacular sets and in locations such as Ladakh, Jaipur and Wai, 9X's MAHAABHAARAT promises to be a production for all time and all generations. The series is being shot on High Definition format for the first time, and features the best technical team and a powerful, well researched script with costumes by Manish Malhotra that do not fall into a ‘mytho’ stereotype but are a fresh yet believable interpretation. Created with the latest techniques in film production and special effects, 9X’s MAHAABHAARAT has been created for today’s generation and will feel more real than ever before, with a strongly contemporary and fresh appeal while retaining the power, grandeur and values of the great epic.

Says Indrani Mukerjea, "Kahaani Hamaaray MAHAABHAARAT Ki on 9X is a gripping spectacle of relationships, power, politics and values, with all the dramatic excitement and interplay of emotions that makes Ved Vyasa's Mahabharat a story for all time and all generations. We are confident that Kahaani Hamaaray MAHAABHAARAT Ki on 9X will have the same appeal and relevance for life today that it had thousands of years ago."

Now, millions of TV viewers in India can experience the greatest story ever told!

FILMY KHABAAR