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Pankit Thakker and Jaydutt Vyas in Dharampatni

Two more characters to join in Imagine's Dharampatni...

TellyBuzz had earlier reported about the vast and the important casts of Imagine's much awaited showDharampatni which has Harshad Chopra and Aasiya Kazias the leads. We have also reported that Gopi Desai, Mihika Verma, Aditi Shirwaiker will also be present in the show. 

The latest we hear is that Pankit Thakker, of fame Dill Mill Gayye and Jaydutt Vyas, currently seen in SAB TV's Gutur Gu will play prominent characters in the show. 

A source says, "Pankit will  return in a full fledged role with this DJ's show as Harshad Chopra's brother and Jaydutt Vyas will essay the role of Kirti Bhai, Harshad Chopra's uncle in Dharampatni."

"Kirti Bhai is a person who is fond of acting but forcefully had to give up his passion due to his other responsibilities", adds the source.

Tushar Joshi, Supriya Shukla and Muni Jha will also be seen essaying pivotal roles in the show.

We contacted Pankit Thakker and he confirmed the buzz.

Jaydutt Vyas too gave a positive nod to the news.

Watch this unique show on Imagine from 16 August.

Reporter and Author: Tejashree Bhopatkar

'You will find Kastur in every second household' - Saurabh Tewari

TellyBuzz in conversation with Saurabh Tewari, Head of Programing – Fiction, Imagine TV, on the much awaited show Dharampatni...

Dharampatni, the compelling new drama on Imagine, talks about the story of every Indian woman whose unconditional love, strength and commitment towards her husband turns out to be the stepping stone for the man's success. Through this powerful narration, Imagine and DJ's Creative Unit will bring to you the tale of the devoted and selfless lady Kastur, played byAasiya Kazi who is married to Mohan, Harshad Chopra.

In an exclusive conversation with TellyBuzz, Saurabh Tewari, Head of Programming, Fiction,Imagine TV, talks about the show and the expectations that the channel carries when it comes to this new fiction offering..

Tell us about Dharampatni. How much is this show inspired from the story of Gandhiji and Kasturba?
Frankly speaking, this show bears no connection with the story of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Kasturba. If we talk of the similarities, there are three. One is that both have the Gujarati backdrop, and in both cases, the hero comes back to his homeland after studying abroad. And the striking similarity lies in the names, as our protagonists have the names of Mohan and Kastur. As far as the content goes, there is nothing common and the similarities end here. Our show will not show the freedom struggle and life of Indians during the British era.

So how would you describe the concept ofDharampatni?
Dharampatni is primarily a love story set up in a Mumbai based Gujarati backdrop. The story is extremely relatable and simple, and you will find a housewife like Kastur in every second household. Almost 99percent of  housewives in India don't have a professional identity and are contented in investing their happiness for their family. While the wife makes all sacrifices for her husband and his family, she does not get to be part of the husband's success and achievements. She is happy and satisfied with the unconditional love she has for her husband, and does not expect anything in return.

The protagonist in the show Mohan Galla for a change is not the typical good boy and has certain shades of grey. Can you explain..                                                  
Yes, Mohan as a character has grey shades. He is fascinated with the western culture and is embarrassed over his own identity. He does not like being referred to as a Gujju. He dislikes the traditional set up that his family has. He has built up a fake identity for him, and has ego problems. All that matters to him are his stylish clothes and the different world that he lives in. He comes back home to get a shock of his life as his parents want him to marry the girl he had got engaged to two years back.

Tell us about the casting of Harshad Chopra.
We had tried many actors and realized that we needed a seasoned actor to carry forward this different character. Harshad Chopra has the right mix of aura, screen presence and innocence that is needed to play Mohan Galla.

Harshad has this goody boy image as he has done only such roles in the past. Do you think his fans will accept him in this different image?
See, people do not have any fixed image for an actor, and lot depends on how the actor delivers in the said role. Let's not forget that Shahrukh Khan in his prime days got popular for his grey shaded roles. We are confident that Harshad with his brilliant acting skills will put in a lot of conviction to the role.
                      
'Behind every successful man, there is a woman' - how much does this saying hold good for the female protagonist, Kastur?
Kastur hails from a middle class family and is a typical Indian girl. She aspires to marry the man she got engaged to few years back. Kastur represents any normal Indian housewife. She is not the street smart and over charming girl you get to see in shows. There is nothing extraordinary in her; she is not educated and is not presentable too. Her simplicity is what makes Kastur special. But when it comes to reforming Mohan, she knows all about it and does her best.
                
Aasiya has been the face of Imagine from Bandini days.
Yes, we decided to recast her as she fits the character of Kastur very well. And the character of Santo was very different from what Kastur is going to be.

We have heard the channel and production house got into lot of detailing to get the story line right.
Yes, we did study the mindset of people who have got back from abroad. We had to research a lot on this to get the characters right.

How is the association with DJ's Creative Unit been?
DJ's have always been in the thick of things when it comes to Imagine. They produced Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayenge when Imagine launched.

What are the expectations of the channel when it comes to Dharampatni?
Expectations are very high, and we are confident of this concept doing well. Looteri Dulhan did not work, but this should. The slot of 9.30 pm is highly competitive and we are looking forward to the challenge.

Reporter and Author: Srividya Rajesh

Actor Harshad Chopra wants his supporters to send e-mails, messages, etc to request the channel to shoot a few sequences for his upcoming show 'Dharampatni' in Delhi

"I would be lying if I say I don't want to be back in Delhi," says actor Harshad Chopda who would soon be seen in Imagine TV'S show " Dharampatni".

The actor, who was in the city last year for the promotional campaign of one of his shows, feelsDelhi is irresistible. "There is something that pulls you to the city," he laughs, adding, "I want people who appreciate my work to send e-mails, messages to Imagine TV so that a few sequences can be shot in Dilli."

Harshad was fortunate to catch up with a close friend during his last visit to the city. And if the channel's decision works in his favour, he would be keen on planning something exciting with his buddies. "It is great to plan a get-together with those who are close to you and even better to know what's keeping them busy. According to me, it is important to understand the importance of investing quality time in maintaining those relationships that are close to you."

New shows on telly

Kavita Awaasthi  /Hill Road Media
 
With every new season, new shows arrive with armload of drama and fun. Once again, we have a deluge of new entertainment shows awaiting viewers on television.  Here's a brief on what to expect and when. Catch them all. 
  

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Harshad Chopra exposits on 'Dharampatni'

Harshad Chopra began his acting career in Zee TV's 'Mamta' where he played a negative character, followed by 'Left Right Left' and the short-lived 'Amber Dhara'. However, his main lead role was in 'Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil' where he played Prem Juneja and 'Tere Liye'. Harshad will now be seen in 'Dharampatni', which airs from August 16, Monday to Thursday, 9:30 pm on Imagine TV. Sandeep Hattangadi spoke to him about his latest venture.

What is the graph of your character in the show? 
I play Mohan, a foreign educated guy who has adopted a western lifestyle and looks down upon his own culture. He has wasted all his money in casinos and lives his life to the fullest, he doesn't complete his degree either. Mohan is also a drunkard and a womanizer, he is forced to return to India because of some financial mess created by him abroad. 

Why is the show titled 'Dharampatni'?
The idea is based on the thought 'Behind every successful man there is a strong woman, her contribution might not be taken into account but her actions continue to shape the man'. The story enters the phase where Kastur and Mohan are married even after their dissimilarities and beliefs, and how Kastur motivates Mohan to make a positive change in his life and create a success story.

Is it a co-incidence that the characters are called Mohan and Kasturba?
Not really. We have adapted Mahatma Gandhi'd marriage with his wife Kasturba but we have contemporised it. 'Dharampatni' is my wife played by Asiya Kazi who is known from her show 'Bandini'. Her character is loosely based on Kasturba Gandhi.

There have been so many plays and films based on these iconic characters. Have you been influenced by them in any way?
No. Our writers have scripted entirely different character sketches and the tele play is entirely original as is the era in which the show is based.
 
How has your journey been as an actor?
I hail from a completely non-entertainment based family from Gondia in Vidharbha. I came to Mumbai just a few years ago before I could complete my college education and worked as a part of the unit of a show, where, luckily, I was spotted because of my looks and that show became my learning ground and after the popular show 'Mamta' on ZEE TV.  My career took off and producers Deeya and Tony Singh from DJ's unit gave me a significant role in the popular army show 'Left Right Left' which brought me fame and now I have bagged the main protagonist show on Imagine's 'Dharampatni' which will be my sole show now. 

What was it like working with Asiya Kazi?
She is a really sweet girl but we haven't shot much of the footage yet but we gel and understand each other well. I am looking forward to shooting with her in the episodes to follow.

Are you open to films?
Yes, I want to be the next 'Salman Khan' who's my idol.
Harshad Chopra is the 
boy on the marquee to watch out for!

http://www.afternoondc.in/television/harshad-chopra-exposits-on-dharampatni/article_31885 

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Looteri Dulhan to make way for Dharampatni..

Looteri Dulhan will be replaced by Dharampatni sometime in mid August on Imagine..