Star Plus TV Show - Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2 Latest Updates, New Star Cast, New Story

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Gautam Hegde, the writer of many popular shows in a conversation with TellyBuzz..


Gautam Hegde is a writer has penned shows like Santaan, Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat, Miley Jab Hum Tum and Love Ne Milla Di Jodi. Today he is part of the writing team of Star Plus' #1 show, Saathiya Saath Nibhana.

In an exclusive conversation with TellyBuzz, Gautam talks of his eventful journey as a writer, on the progressive changes in television today, his future plans and much more..

Take us thro' your journey as a writer in the Indian Television industry.
I always desired to work for TV and I planned my post graduation studies that way. After a mass comm. course, I joined ZEE. I was with ZEE for three years. After that, I wanted to do something new. I was not sure of turning a writer but my ex-boss Vivek Bahl knew I had it in me to write. He offered me to write Santaan and that's how my journey began. From Santaan, I moved on to write Raja Ki Ayegi Baarat and then Miley Jab Hum Tum, Love Ne Milla Di Jodi...

Will you agree to the point that your forte seems to be developing youth based shows? Explain.
I disagree since apart from Miley Jab Hum Tum and Love Ne Milla Di Jodi, I have also written Santaan, Raja Ki Alayegi Baraat and Saathiya also. I have a saas and a bahu as much as I have a teenybopper hero and a dreamy heroine in me (Smiles).

What according to you are the pros and cons of being a writer?
It gives you a high that a thought you have penned down actually comes to life on air. The thought of developing a character, seeing it grow, seeing it become popular is a high. It's like when you all go gaga about the characters of say a Miley Jab, a writer feels proud because he has contributed to it. Like a parent cheering his kid on the annual day, 'wo wali feeling aati hai'. I haven't faced any cons so far.

Which is the one show you loved to write? Why?
All shows have helped me grow but I would say Santaan, because of two reasons. It was my first show and it was a show any child and parent could relate to. Kartik, played by Sudeep Sahir was a lot like me and how I am with my parents. I come from a middle class family myself and I've seen my parents struggle to see me happy. So there used to be times when I would get emotional writing a scene.

As a writer will you aim to get recognized for the TRP your show is getting, or will you choose to get critical acclaim?
I aim to do honest and hard work with good teams. The success of a show depends on team work and not an individual.

After writing shows like MJHT and LNMJ, you are presently writing for Saathiya Saath Nibhana which is a typical saas bahu drama. How did you make this transition?
Saathiya is not a typical saas bahu drama. For starters, I think it is gutsy for a channel that had a saas bahu show as its flagship show once to reinvent the formula and again make another hit show. As for my transition, like I said, I started writing with a drama (Santaan) and a fairy tale romance (Raja ki Ayegi) and then I did youth shows for sometime. I was itching to do a drama again and gladly SNS happened.

What were the changes you had to make in your writing style to suit the saas bahu genre?
Like I said, it was about doing a show with a saas and a bahu, but with a difference. What makes it different is that the drama has an element of fun attached, and I and my co-writer Jyoti Tandon keep it alive on the screenplay level. Even the scheming doesn't really involve something you wouldn't be able to relate to. Pressure cooker phatega ki nahi, ghee aur tel ki chori kaise pakdi jayegi- it has drama, but an essence of fun and thrill to it.

Saathiya is raking very high TRPs and also is the #1 show. Did you expect this huge success and popularity?
Honestly, I didn't expect it to be SO big. It's the team effort- the channel, the production house, the creative team and the synchronization within. I think once a show shows potential of being a hit, the team gets positively motivated. With the show, at every stage, it goes one notch up. When I see the telecast myself I am astonished- its like- is it the same scene that we wrote? It's awesome!

Which part of the country do you think gets you the maximum viewership for Saathiya?
That's best answered by the channel as they get detailed reports.

Many in the industry feel there is no novelty in Saathiya, and are today amazed that the show can get so big. How do you silence such people?
Hahaha! You make me sound like I'm a bureaucrat to silence them. See, a show needs to have a novelty factor. If its not there and if it's just the same, then the audience wont lap it up. Take Pavitra Rishta, Geet Hui Sabse Parayi, Baat Hamari Pakki Hai, Uttaran. Somewhere, all are about love stories with elements of drama, but its how differently they are told that makes them the top show on the channel. At the end of the day, the trick lies in telling the same story differently.

There was a time when makers would only want their show to be slotted at the prime time. This trend has changed today, and your show Saathiya is leading the early evening slots. What do you think of this change in trend? What is the reason for this change?
The audience wants entertainment, when they are with the family. With pre-prime time, we want to entertain them during their evening tea time sessions as they are chopping vegetables for dinner time. I think it's a welcome trend. The channel makes numbers, the industry gets employed, and viewer gets entertained. Good for all, isn't it?

You have been associated with Rashmi Sharma's shows from the days of Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat? How is it working with her?
Rashmi and I go a long way back when we worked on Piya ka Ghar when she was a Creative Head and I was in the channel. So, it's been around 5 years now. She is very passionate about her work and has a go-getter attitude. At a recent party thrown for the success of the show, she told me that I shouldn't feel like a guest, but more like a host. That was sweet.

Your next big association is with Shakuntalam Telefilms where you have written shows like Santaan, Love Ne Milla Di Jodi. How is it to work with them?
Shakuntalam is like my home. Aptly I did a show called Santaan. They are such nice people to work with that I don't even ask what the show is about. I know I have to work with them. Shyam ji and Neelima are genuinely nice people and it's not just me, anyone who has worked with them once, wants to work again. With an upcoming show, I would be completing a hat trick with them and it feels great.

What are your future plans? What are you working on?
A show for Star Plus with Shakuntalam Telefilms, and Saathiya is what I have on my platter right now. Miley Jab has just gotten over so I'm in talks for some new shows.
Your journey as writer of MJHT is over. But the fans want more of the show.

What is your take on it? Do you think a Season 3 is a possibility?
Miley Jab has been a very successful milestone for me. It was a well received show with a superb team of cast and crew. All good things come to an end. Now, if there is a season 3, its only up to the channel and producers to take a call.

What is the different kind of genre that you would want to experiment in future?
I would like to write an urban comedy.

Television today is different from what it was few years back. What are the changes you see as a writer?
It keeps evolving and reinventing. What is interesting is that the top shows today are different from each other and are yet successful. There is a Sasural Genda Phool which is just as popular as a Pratigya. For an Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, there is a Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and both become hits. You never know what can click with the audience.

Which is your favorite show on TV today and why?
These days I'm glued to Star World afternoons. How I met your mother, Friends, Modern family back to back. I am looking forward to Jhalak Dikhlaja. I am a big Madhuri Dixit fan.

How is Gautam Hegde as a person?
I feel like it's a slam book now! Hahaha! I am a God loving middle class boy who feels nothing can beat the pav bhaji that his mother makes. I love my friends and I like to entertain and being entertained.

Is there anyone who inspires you to write different? Where do you get your inspiration from?
Observing people. There is so much drama around you. You attend one wedding and you come back home with so many ideas! I like overhearing conversations at public places, social functions, coffee houses. Whoever calls it bad manners can take a long walk! (laughs)

Do you think the TRP system needs a bit of change, now that we have got into the internet age?
Interesting question!. But lets face it, those who can access and surf internet are not a majority of TV viewing junta. We are still a country where people have one TV homes and probably no computer, forget alone internet.

As a writer, have you experienced a rough phase in your career? How did you overcome it?
Nahi hua hai.

What is the message that you would pass on to youngsters who want to make writing as their profession?
Make it a profession, only if it's a passion.

Who is your best friend/friends in the industry?
With every phase, every show, every experience, you meet people. Some colleagues become friends, some friends become best friends. I value my team from my ZEE days the most. Today they are spread out but they still treat me the same and that touches me the most.

We see a lot many writers turning into Producers today. Would you want to take that giant stride ahead?
Arey bhai, there are so many stories to tell. If all writers turn producers, they will need writers na! (Smiles)

Where would you want to see yourself in say, the next five years?
I don't know where I see myself five hours from now. But whatever I make of myself, I hope I live a content and happy life and stay humble to my craft.

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Star Plus' Saathiya will see the entry of Dhaval Pandya who will provide for some light moments in the show..


Star Plus' Saathiya Saath Nibhana, the #1 show across all GECs will see a new entry in tonight's episode. Ashish Sharma who was earlier seen in a negative role of Aseem in Karam Apna Apna will enter the show and will play the character of Dhaval Pandya.

As per our source, "Dhaval will enter the Gopi house in today's episode. He is the person who will be brought in by Urmi Mami. He will look to be a honest and extra sweet character, but will turn out to be a very greedy guy who aims to get more money. As he enters the house, he gets fascinated by their richness".

The character of Dhaval will also introduce a light moment in the show. He will bring in the humour quotient and will have a good interaction with all in the family. However he is afraid of the super strict Kokila Ben.

When contacted, Ashish Sharma confirmed his entry in Saathiya. "Yes, I am playing the character of Dhaval Pandya. You should watch to know how the story goes now".

Ashish was recently seen in the Madhur Bhandarkar movie Jail.

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TellyBuzz gives you an exclusive conversation with the Channel Heads of few Hindi GECs, wherein they talk of the year gone by and the year ahead..


The Year 2010 has just gone by, and we are into the first day of the New Year. On this occasion, TellyBuzz managed to have a word with the Channel Heads of few Hindi GEC's and get their views on the gains that their channel has seen, channel strategies for the year 2011, the best show according to them in the year gone by and much more:

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Vivek Bahl, Executive Creative Director, Star India:

Five Gains from the Year 2010 from the channel's perspective.
We have really broad based in our content and we brought in a variety of shows wherein at 7PM there is a complete family based and Saas Bahu drama, Saathiya, which is now doing extremely well. At 7:30 there is yet another show which is a family oriented show that is loved by all. The shows at 8 and 8:30 are shows of high drama and with Gulaal at 9PM, we brought a completely different show with a rural backdrop. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hain at 9:30 has made the mark and is doing very well which the viewers enjoy even today. Tere Liye portrays a complete love story. After 10:30 there are shows which have bold concept and strong protagonists. These were the fiction shows that hit the screens this year. With Master Chef, we have brought in a different concept of reality show that people never expected to be brought that too with Akshay Kumar, and regarding the dance and song reality shows also, there has been a variety. Even though the media has a second thought about this, Star Plus has the biggest variety shows in Television.

From the strategic point of view, this year had been great as we have been doing Maha Episodes for which we received good response and for the same reason we started keeping it on Sundays too. We have been staying consistent in giving the viewers afternoon shows without repeating a show many a times. We have extended the slot to 11:30 also for the shows that really bold and tough in the outlook.

Another major gain that we received is the response after the major branding that we did with the new logo and the tagline 'Rishta Vahi Soch Nayi'. And in the coming year we will be doing shows keeping this as the main aspect.

The Learning curves from the Year 2010. (Or the strategies that did not work for the channel)
Most of the ideas have worked well for us and luckily all the shows are doing well in the channel. But what we learnt in the couple of years is that we should not stick to one particular concept. For a particular time that was the mistake we did and we got caught up with shows of only one concept and feel good shows. We realized that we should come up with shows that have bold concepts as people also need difference.

Channel Strategies for the Year 2011. Explain.
I cannot divulge details about it but all I can say is we will be following the concept of Rishta Vahi Soch Nayi and there will be a lot of experimental and fresh shows this year some of whose promos are already on air. We are also planning to push in more time slots in the coming year.

The Best Show of 2010, according to you.
I know some people might not agree with me for this, for me the best show is Saathiya because at the end, all what matters is the audience response which is evident from the TRPs. And we never did big scale marketing for that show and we got poor response initially, but then today it stands to be the best show in television.

The shows to look forward to in Star Plus in the year 2011
There are shows whose promos have already been aired and also I can talk about my show which I am producing which is tentatively named 'Navya' which I am doing with Swastik Pictures.

Your message to viewers...
Please use the remote less and we will keep up the trust that you always had in us.

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Ashvini Yardi, Programming Head, COLORS:

Five Gains from the Year 2010 from the channel's perspective.
Year 2010 proved to be an exciting year for us as variety of new shows, new concepts, ideas and new talent came into limelight and was very well received by the viewers. Our two mega Reality shows Fear Factor- Khatron Ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss 4 were able to garner more eyeballs this season owing to new innovative format and content. Both Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan struck a chord with the viewers. Bigg Boss house for the first time graced Hollywood star Pamela Anderson in the house. The show also saw WWE superstar The Great Khali as one of the housemates along with some Pakistani artists Begun Nawazish Ali and Veena Malik. This year we also discovered a soulful choir group from Shillong ( Shillong Chamber Choir), on India's Got Talent Khoj 2. They were crowned this year's winner and were given the opportunity to perform in front of The President of USA, Barrack Obama during his stay in India.

Apart from reality, we also experimented with our fiction line-up. Balika Vadhu underwent a 5 year leap and new Anandi played by Pratyusha Banerjee was well accepted by the viewers. Once again we focused on content based on 'real-life' incidents and social issues with Rishton se badi..Pratha, that is based on 'honour ****ings' in India.

We acquired and showcased the latest Bollywood blockbuster movies like Dabangg, Once upon a time in Mumbai, Kites etc, thus bringing big screen closer to the small screen.

We also extended our footprint to USA, UK and the Middle-East and have got an overwhelming response.

The Best Show of 2010 across all channels, according to you.
There were so many of them. Year 2010 was full of surprises for the GEC sector. With ever-changing audience preferences, all major GECs experimented with new content and format across fiction and Reality.

The shows to look forward to in COLORS in the year 2011.
As a channel we will continue to entertain our viewers and bring value to our advertising partners. In terms of programming, we have already planned our new show launches in the first phase of 2011. We are gearing up with some impressive line-ups both in the fiction and the reality genre, starting with Phulwa and Mukti Bandhan, which will be launched in the second week of January at the 9 and 9:30 PM slots respectively. We have the recently launched Hema Malini's Productions Maati Ki Banno that is being aired at a new slot of 6.30 pm since December 27.

With regards to non-fiction, we will soon air the second season of Chak Dhoom Dhoom Team challenge with Mallika Sherawat, Terrence Lewis and Jaaved Jaffrey as the judges. The show will see participants from across the world too. We will also be bringing in the original Indianised production of the Guinness World Records to Indian audiences for the first time. The new show, Guinness World Records, Ab India Todega, will premiere in early 2011 and will allow Indians to showcase their talent and go head-to-head with world record holders from other countries.

Your message to viewers.
Viewers continue to be our prime focus and we will continue to entertain them through our daily dose of entertainment. We will focus on new and innovative content and continue to engage with our viewers across all levels. They will get to see some new and exciting mix of shows on COLORS in the year 2011.

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Danish Khan, Marketing Head, Sony Entertainment Television:

Five Gains from the Year 2010 from the channel's perspective.

1. Kaun Banega Crorepati went on to become # 1 show on Indian show.
2. The growth story of two fiction shows Krishnaben and Saas Bina Sasural.
3. Continuous popularity of CID
4. 10.9 TVRs with 3 Idiots, a good movie backed by good marketing and presentation with yield great result
5. With Adalaat, getting a new genre legal drama and a protagonist who can last years - KD Pathak

The Learning curves from the Year 2010. (Or the strategies that did not work for the channel)
Variety, Quality and Novelty works brilliantly on Indian Television.

Channel Strategies for the Year 2011. Explain.
NA

The Best Show of 2010, according to you.
Kaun Banega Crorepati on Sony Entertainment Television.

The shows to look forward to in Sony in the year 2011.
Krishnaben Khakrewala.

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Mushtaq Shiekh, Creative Director, Sahara One:

Five Gains from the Year 2010 from the channel's perspective.
Our five gains from 2010 would be our five launches this year. All these shows were very diverse in terms of concept and treatment. They added a lot of freshness to the Channel palette and also helped us garner more eyeballs across all age groups. Bitto, Shorr Goongi Kanku Ki Bolti Kahani and Ganga Kii Dheej are doing quite well and we are quite positive about the newly launched 'Hamari Beti Raaj Karegi'.

The Learning curves from the Year 2010. (Or the strategies that did not work for the channel)
The competition across the Hindi GEC genre has been aggressive. With all our 5 launches this year we tried to offer something fresh to the audiences. Keeping the current television trends in mind, we have to take more chances and more risks as the audience is open to experiment and is willing to see something new each time.

Channel Strategies for the Year 2011. Explain.
We have a couple of projects that are actively moving forward. But right now our primary focus is to ensure that our freshly launched shows do well. We want to move slow and watch our shows grow. We are also looking at strengthening the other bands other than prime time band. We will continue to offer varied entertainment as we have been doing in the past with a target to increase sampling and reach and overall channel viewership.

The Best Show of 2010, according to you.
2010 has been an eventful year for Sahara One. We launched 5 shows this year. But Ganga Kii Dheej would win my vote for the best show of 2010.. It has been received very well by our viewers as well as the feedback from the industry has been very good. GKD has been the first of its kinds with a hard hitting story line, a fantastic crew and a dream cast.

The shows to look forward to in Sahara One in the year 2011.
This is a secret you will have to wait and watch for... But yes all I can say is that 2011 is going to be a very exciting year for Sahara One.

Your message to viewers.
This decade has changed the face of Television. Indian Television has hugely evolved as a medium and it's only going to get bigger and better. The next decade is surely going to be something to watch out for. So continue to be glued to us. Keep Watching Sahara One !!!

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Saurabh Tewari, Head of Programming, Fiction, Imagine:

Five Gains from the Year 2010 from the channel's perspective.
The success of the second season of two of our reality show, Nachle Ve and Swayamvar was indeed great. There is always a misconception that the second season of any show does not do as well as the first, but we proved this theory wrong. We now have the third season of Swayamvar in pipeline.

In the fiction line-up, we tried different kinds of stories like Gunahon Ka Devta and Armanon Ka Balidaan Aarakshan. Both are unique male-oriented concepts with a different kind of story-telling. Especially GKD has done very well for us.

Another plus for the channel has been the rise of popular television writers like Raakesh Paswan, Kamal Pandey, Jayesh Patil turning Producers. This enables such writers to focus on limited shows on a larger level wherein they play a bigger role. The success of Baba Aiso Varr Dhundo is indeed a positive sign, and gives us the leeway to experiment to a larger extent.

The Learning curves from the Year 2010. (Or the strategies that did not work for the channel)
Few of our earlier fiction shows went wrong in the way of story telling. We are in the process of bringing a new fiction line-up and feel that we are on track.

Channel Strategies for the Year 2011. Explain.
Content usually makes or breaks a channel, and we are working on a totally differentiated programming in terms of concept.

The Best Show of 2010, according to you.
Sasural Genda Phool.

The shows to look forward to in Imagine in the year 2011.
To begin with, we have Zor Ka Jhatka which is a huge property. The presence of Shah Rukh Khan in it makes it very special. Then we have the 3rd season of Swayamvar coming. We have some terrific and interesting fiction properties that are very different, which a love stories. The 4-5 fiction line-ups will have some never seen before concepts with great interpersonal relations.

Your message to viewers.
Imagine will be the channel to watch for in the year 2011. I am saying this not at the cost of sounding arrogant, and we are not over confident too. We are trying our best to come up with a difference.

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Giaa Manek aka Gopi Bahu of Star Plus' popular show Saath Nibhaana Saathiya speaks to .


Giaa Manek who essays the lead role of Gopi Bahu in Star Plus' successful show Saathiya simply cannot believe that she is a household name today..

Here is the girl describing her remarkable journey and on how the success has exceeded her expectations, to TellyBuzz..

Saathiya on Star Plus is today a success story. How exactly did you get this role?
Actually I had given an audition earlier for Palkon Ki Chao Mein, but things did not work out there. This is when I was prompted to give an audition for the same production house's new show for Star Plus. I got a call for the tests and after all the tests I finally got selected. But I later got to hear that I was not the first choice to ply Gopi. The production house had in fact shot few episodes with three other girls, but finally it was me who lapped up the role (smiles).

Saathiya is today one of the highest rated shows in television; how do you feel?
I feel on the top of the world right now because initially, when the show started I was really upset with the time slot. I bfelt it was an early slot for a daily soap, but this actually did wonders for all. We had really worked hard and the show is really special for me. Being my first show, I did not want the show to go off-air because of low TRPs. But then the show has been accepted very well and we are proud to have started the trend of the 7 pm slot.

Did you ever expect the show to be this successful?
Never had I expected the show to be this successful, because frankly speaking I always thought that Saathiya would bag only an average TRP. Even today, it puzzles me when I see the extremely good TRPs for the show..

Gopi Bahu is today looked upon as an ideal daughter in law, how do you feel?
I feel really good that I am looked upon like one ideal person and people do come and ask me whether I am really like that. I usually reply that I am similar to Gopi in sensitivity as I can cry at the drop of my head. And also family is a big priority for me even after marriage. On the contrary, I am not at all silent and soft like Gopi and I am a complete brat who talks too much.

How is your rapport with your co-actors?
I have an excellent rapport with everyone on the sets and I gel well with all of them and my best friend is Rupal Patel. Actually I always play pranks on all and sometimes Rucha gets irritated, but at the end of the day she gets fine. And I pull legs of Ahem also as he is like a complete Gopi Bahu off screen. Vishal is also a good friend of mine.

How do your relate yourself with Gopi?
I am a little sensitive like Gopi and also I like the positivity Gopi has. In that way the character makes me a better person. Gopi Bahu knows that whatever that is happening in her life is because of a reason and does not complain at all. I can relate to the character in that way.

What were the preparations that you did for the character?
Since I am a Gujarati myself, I did not have to work much on my language. But then I had to make an effort to reduce the speed of my talk and become a little soft spoken. And to remind myself about the character, I used to narrate about Gopi and her life to everyone around me.

Now that you are back in the house, how will we see the track being developed?
Gopi is back in the house because of Naani and now Ahem also has started talking to Gopi because of her. But at the same time Ahem still loves his ex girlfriend and I will have move out of the house once Naani goes. I do not know whether Ahem will start loving Gopi in future.


How is it working with Rashmi Sharma?
It has been a very good experience with them and the team is really understanding.

You recently had a visit to Macau for the grand event of Star Parivaar Awards, how has the experience been?
The experience had been great even though it was very hectic and I was involved in a lot of stuffs. But I did not get much time to do shopping as we were busy with the work in hand.

Any memorable instances you carry from Macau?
This is my first trip abraod without my parents and hence I had a responsibility to take care of myself, my passport and the other belognigs. But since the entire unit was there with me and since all the members were so sweet the whole trip went well.

How was it to represent the one big star family at the Star Parivaar Awards?
I felt really great and also I got to compere a segment with Ayushman and I need to thank him because he handled it well (laughs). I won an award at the event and also performed an act with Ahem as well.

Can you tell us something about your upbringing?
I was born in Ahmedabad but was brought up in Mumbai. I am a complete Mumbaite and I love non-veg food and am a complete foodie. I did my majors in Advertising and it was during my college days that I started giving auditions. I had done a movie with Om Puri and Neena Gupta called Naa Ghar Ke Naa Ghat Ke. As soon as the film got over I was signed to do the show.

Any memorable moments from the show?
Actually everyday is a memorable day for me as I enjoy every moment on the sets even if others are moody. If they ask me to be there for 24 hours, I will be ready.

What was the most struggling part of your life?
There was indeed a struggling part of my life when I was in my college. Those were the days I used to give auditions. But since I do not have any acting background I used to get nervous and used to fumble. Those were my struggling times.

Any fan interaction that you can share with us?
Recently we shot a cricket scene in a ground near a school and I was really mobbed by the students there. After pack up there were students who just came into my vanity van for my autograph and they were literally pushing my car.

Since you have said that you are different from Gopi, how difficult was it to get into the character?
I would like to put it this way, I am like Gopi but there are certain things in Giaa that is missing in Gopi. And hence, the character was not that really tough to portray.

What is your message for viewers?
I thank all the viewers for making the show what it is now. There is something to learn from each character. For instance there is Rashi who is always there on the phone talking to her mother. This shows that even after marriage the girl is still with the family. Once a fan of mine came and told that she never used to go to the temple, but after watching Gopi bahu and her devotion to Kanha, she started going to the temple every week. I would like to tell viewers to imbibe the good things and do not get carried away by bad ones.

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Sasuraal Simar Ka, Rashmi Sharma's next offering on COLORS will have Dipika Samson and Shoaib Ibrahim as leads..


Rashmi Sharma's Sunrise Productions is coming up with a new show on COLORS titled 'Sasuraal Simar Ka'. The show is about a middle class conservative family wherein the aspiration of the lead girl to become a dancer gets restricted.

The first promo of the show is already on air. Deepika Samson who was last seen in Zee TV's Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo plays the female protagonist. Shoaib Ibrahim who essayed the role of Karan in Rashmi Sharma's Rehna Hai Teri Palkon ki Chaaon Mein has been roped in to play the male lead.

Veteran actors Pankaj Dheer and Himani Shivpuri will be seen essaying prominent roles. Abhishek Sharma who has till now been seen in youth oriented shows will for the first time be part of a family drama with this show. He is presently seen in Star One's Geet Hui Sabse Parayi.

Our source states, "Pankaj Dheer plays the girl's father while Himani Shivpuri is her bua. Shoaib and Abhishek Sharma play brothers".

When contacted, Shoaib Ibrahim confirmed the news and said, "Yes, I am playing the lead in Rashmi Sharma's new show for COLORS. This is my second show with the production house".

Pankaj Dheer refused to talk about the concept of the show, "All I can tell you is that I essay the role of a very strict and conservative father".

We could not get thro' to Abhishek.

Sunrise Productions, makers of successful shows like Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat and Saathiya Saath Nibhana have the knack of striking a chord with the viewers with their simple and good story telling.

Sasuraal Simar Ka is expected to launch in the month of April.

We tried contacting Producer Rashmi Sharma, but she remained unavailable.