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Posted: 17 years ago

If there's a problem, I'll speak out:Smriti Z Iraani

Actor Smriti Z Iraani on her alleged conflict with Ektaa Kapoor and her upcoming production 'Virrudh'

'Virrudh' (Sony) seems to be your most ambitious project.
I had written this subject a year ago. But I didn't know how to adapt it to the needs of a daily soap. I wanted it for a certain time slot. Also, the actors I wanted to sign were busy with other projects. So I bided my time and went ahead only after everything fell in place.

Being the producer of a multi-starrer, wouldn't it have been prudent to only produce and not act in it?
That was the channel's decision. The story revolves around Vasudha Rai Singhania, the illegitimate daughter of Dhirendra Rai Singhania (Vikram Gokhale) who uses her to achieve his ends. He is God to her until she discovers his true colours. The role demanded a 30 plus woman and the channel thought that I suited it.

How has the experience of being a producer been?
The first year was difficult. I didn't want to be judged simply because I was Smriti Z Iraani. When I began by producing the Gujarati play 'Maniben.com', I got flak for it. But the show was a hit. There were challenges but that didn't disappoint me.  And today, after 'Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman' (Star Plus), I have produced 'Virrudh'.

Are you open to direction?
Direction is not a whim. It needs definite vision. Also, it needs technical knowledge which I don't possess. I am good at writing, acting and production. I intend to stick to that.

Apparently, you and Ektaa Kapoor have problems?
I am used to rumours. I am a vocal person. If there is a problem, I will speak out loud and clear.

Do you get time for the family?
Time management is the keyword. Every morning I spend time with my husband and children. In fact, when the maids are not around, I even cook the  meals before I leave for work.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1084605

Posted: 17 years ago
Smriti's Time-table!

My time-table revolves around my childrens' schedule" says the actor sum activist cum politician Smriti Irani, television's most recognised face.

Smriti Zubin Iraani aka Tulsi of Kyunki... dons many hats - a mother, a wife, a politician, an actress and now a producer. 'Thodi si Zameen Thoda Aasman' on STAR Plus is the first show she produced.

Now, she is also coming with a daily shop on Sony called Virrudh. It is based on a girl for whom relationships are everything. And for Smriti, her family always matters. We ask her how she manages to take out time for her children while doing two dailies.

"My day starts and ends with my children. Early morning I wakeup and get them ready to for school. After dropping them at school, I go for my shoot. In the evening, I come back from shoot to pick them up. I make dinner for my
family by 7:30 PM. My children go to sleep by eight and then I go for the shoot again. So basically, my time-table revolves around my childrens' schedule only", says Smriti.

"I have a team who is working with me from last six to seven years so they are ready to give me some space and help me in every way possible because they believe in my work", adds Smriti.

"If everything is orgainsed properly, then there should be no issues regarding managing your daily routine", Irani concludes.
 
http://www.indya.com/news/smriti_irani1.html
Posted: 17 years ago
Smriti Irani brings Sushant Singh back to TV

Sushant Singh is back on television after a six year hiatus. And it took nothing less than playing television's leading actress Smriti Irani's love interest to lure him back.

So why did Suahnt agree to the role in Viruddh?
"Firstly this is not a typical saas-bahu drama, where men don't get a chance to perform. Here this is a story of every individual focus and I am the one of the main characters," says Sushant about his role in new serial which will be aired on Sony.

"Also in all my films I play negative characters but in this show first time I am playing a lover. This is something I can do and I am now getting a chance to do it. Another thing is that I am going to portray different emotions on screen which also I have never done in films. I am playing an investigative reporter who is always in search of truth and wants to put it as it is in papers but it's not possible for him in certain situations," says Singh.

He also faces conflicts between him and his love interest because of his ideologies in life. "This is a character which reflects me in the terms of my ideologies," adds Sushant.

Sushant, who received critical acclaim for his unconventional performances in The Legend of Bhagat Singh, 16 December and Matrabhoomi, says along with this new serial he also has quite a few releases this year. "Mukhbi is my first release this year, and then you can also watch me in Yash Raj's Show Biz; RGV's Sholay, Lahor. I am also playing a cameo in the yet to be named movie by Pradeep Sarkar. Another with Mahesh Bhatt and also one Telgu film named Dubai Shenu."

So how does he plan to divide his time between six-seven movies as well as Viruddh?
"The show is for all the characters in the show and doesn't revolve around just one or two people. So there is no need to devote twenty-twenty five days in month. I have to give only eight to ten days for shoot of Virrudh. So I can devote all my rest of the time for films," says the star who was last seen in the serial Dhadkan on television.
 
http://www.indya.com/news/smriti_sushant.html
 
Posted: 17 years ago
Smriti: I don't let my kids watch my serials



   Smriti Zubin Irani was recently asked how she manages so many occupations at the same time, that of being an actor, politician, producer and a homemaker, she questioned back, "I wonder why such questions are never addressed to a male?" She added, "It's all about how you balance work and home. I don't socialise much. As soon as the day's work is over, I rush home to spend time with my kids. They don't watch any of my serials but a selected few informative programs and news. They are away from my media image," she added.
 
Posted: 17 years ago
Smriti dons a new role
Smriti Irani may have made her mark as the endearing and righteous 'Tulsi' in Ekta Kapoor's popular daily soap 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi bahu Thi', but apparently the actor is moving as far away from the character as possible with her new avatar as the producer of her second soap 'Virrudh' for Sony entertainment television.

Image makeover

Years after the Saas-Bahu genre was established, India's favourite Bahu Smriti Irani still refuses to be stereotyped.

"I think I have broken away from that image quite sometime back," claims Smriti.

"Now, the members of the press and people from different walks of life do address me as Smriti Irani. So I am one of those lucky few people who have managed to break away from an image, but let's not forget that I created that image," reminds Smriti.

But it now looks like she has decided to move away from
family wars in gilded mansions to being a producer, with her new soap and taking her role quite seriously -- the reel life upright 'Tulsi', seems to be taking over the real Smriti Irani.

Elaborating on the story of the serial, Smriti explains, "It's a story about relationships, people and their ambitions that are absolutely clear and raw. It also reflects some kind of despair that people face in their lives."

Sushant wants to romance

Giving her company in her endeavour to create
television soaps, which apparently go beyond the nuances of kitchen politics, is actor Sushant Singh, who is returning to the small screen after 6 years.

"Smriti Irani is a very persuasive as a person and as a producer," says Sushant as a matter-of-factly.

Persuasive or not, Smriti has definitely scored high with Sushant agreeing to test new waters in her new production.

"You'll see Sushant Singh romancing for the very first time on screen and that's one thing that attracted me, and I always wanted to do that," admits the talented actor adding that the romance in the serial is mature in nature.

With the queen of virtue trying to go beyond the walls of blissful domesticity, the Indian viewers might just end up missing her brand of melodrama.

www.timesnow.com

Posted: 17 years ago
Sushant: Smriti ke viruddh
   By: Tushar Joshi
   December 12, 2006

Sushant Singh

After a gap of five years, Sushant Singh is back on television (he was part of Sony's Dhadkan). He says, "I won't hesitate to say that the only genre I find interesting today is reality shows. I think most of the soaps suck! The rest of the country may relate to the saas-bahu characters, but I find them hard to believe."

So what convinced him to appear on Smriti Iraani's new show Viruddh, slated for Sony? Says Sushant, "She had approached me earlier to work in Balaji's Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman. Things didn't work out at that point. When she came back with an offer for Viruddh, everything fell into place. I was happy with the role and could manage my time well."

New direction

Commencing shoot in early January, Sushant is kicked about working with Smriti. "There's no denying that she's a powerhouse performer. Facing the
camera with her will definitely be a pleasurable experience," he says.

Smriti Iraani

Talking about his character, Singh says, "I play a journalist who values his principles. We still have to shortlist a name for the character."

Sandiip Sikcand, chief creative head at Sony, explains why he was thrilled to have Sushant onboard.

"Smriti was keen to have him on the show. She told me about it and I was like, 'Why not?' After having several rounds of meetings, Smriti told me she had locked Sushant for the show."

Besides Singh, the show stars Ashwini Kalsekar, Vikram Gokhale and others. Says Sikcand, "Viruddh will be a ground-breaking show as it doesn't fall in the usual brackets of
drama. With Sushant, we bring freshness to the show. He hasn't really been exposed on the medium, so it works for us."

On the film front, Sushant's next release will be Mukhbir. Besides that, he's also excited about Ram Gopal Varma's Sholay and a film on kickboxing. "I am opening up as a person and meeting people for work. It's a growth for me not just as an
actor but also a human being."

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2006/december/148292.htm

Posted: 17 years ago

Smriti Irani's Viruddh on Sony



Smriti Irani after turning producer with her show Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aaasmaan on Star is all set launch a new show titled Viruddh in association with Applause entertainment, a part of the Birla group. The cast is an amalgamation of the best talents from theatre, films and TV: Sushant Singh, Ashwini Kalsekar, Vikram Gokhale, Achint Kaur, Govind Namdev and Irani herself.

Kamlesh Pandey who has scripted the serial says "We have tried to steer clear of the clich plots. The story of Viruddh resembles an epic drama with a contemporary flavour." Kamlesh who's among the panel of writers for Balaji's Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and the hugely successful film Rang De Basanti further adds, "I would expect the show to run an initial of 200 episodes and then factors like TRPs would determine its future course. I chose television to narrate this story as it's a medium driven by writer's unlike films which is the director's medium."

Sushan't Singh who plays Smriti's boyfriend in the story says, "My shooting schedule starts from the 18th of this month and I cannot comment more on my character as I have to experience it first before I can talk about it in detail."

Confirms the channel honcho Sandiip Sikcand, "It's a fact that the show will be aired on Sony. We have not decided the time slot of the show at the moment as the serial is still in the production stage. I can share more on that once we finalize all details related to the show."

Smriti Irani, the producer-actor of the show was unavailable for her comments. Looks like our favourite bahu is all geared up to plunge in the production race. Her earlier venture Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan is not a huge hit with the audiences, but we hope that this serial would be a different story.

http://www.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/jan/12jan/news_irani.php

Posted: 17 years ago

Mumbai Mirror looking'07 ahead

Small screen, big EXPECTATIONS

Couch potatoes can get set to aim their remote control at…

Kaun Banega Crorepati

Will the 'King Khan' brand emerge victorious once again because of KBC? If the current on-air promos are anything to go by, the show might just be bigger and better than the previous version. Against all apprehensions, that the new version's ratings will not match those of the previous versions hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, the sponsors are keeping their fingers crossed for the biggest telly event of 2007. With the biggest stars of Bollywood- Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan being at loggerheads, this is just the opportunity for SRK to prove that he can step into Big B's shoes, as he proved in the remake of Don.


The Biggest Loser

After Amitabh Bachchan and SRK, it's the time for macho man, Suniel Shetty to make his television debut. The Biggest Loser is an adaptation of the popular American reality show of the same name. Suniel Shetty will be anchoring the show which will deal with health, fitness and motivation.  The actor is the obvious choice, thanks to his bulging biceps and wittiness quotient. The contestants in the show will be overweight people who lose flab under the guidance of a celebrity trainer to get a healthy body and hefty prize money.


Kis Rishtey Se…

After all the overdose of 'K' factor with Kahaani.., Kyunki…, Kasamh Se and others, here comes another K…. The show is Kis Rishtey Se. Rumoured to be based on a popular novel; the script will be penned by Bollywood biggies. The new soap has Shabbir Ahluwalia and Karan Wahi as male leads and Ronit Roy in a cameo. The story revolves around two stepsisters and the turmoil in their life. The female lead is yet to be finalised. The show will be targetted at urban audiences.



Sa Re Ga Ma Pa  

This is one of the few music shows that has been running successfully for almost a decade. The show has strived to be a platform for budding talents through its platforms Challenge 2005 and Ek Main Aur Ek Tu. This year, music lovers will see the same show with almost the same flavour but without its director Gajendra Singh.


Jeete Hain Jiske Liye

This is one show that everyone is looking forward to. After Kora Kaagaz, Surabhi girl Renuka Shahane is making a comeback in Jeete Hain Jiske Liye. The serial has been much talked about as it is the comeback vehicle of Renuka after a decade. The show has also been in the news for the legal notice sent to Balaji alleging that the generation leap in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki is similar to the concept. The show is an adaptation of an international telenovella La Madratssa.


Viruddh

After Thodi Si Zameen, Thoda Sa Aasman, here comes another soppy saga from producer Smriti Irani.  Writer Kamalesh Pandey of Rang De Basanti fame is writing the script and the shooting is going to start from early February.   The cast is an amalgamation of   the choicest and the best talents.  The new serial has big telly stars like Sushant Singh making his comeback on TV, Ashwini Kalsekar, Vikram Gokhale, Achint Kaur, Govind Namdev and Smriti irani herself.


Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhhla Ja

Rocking the nation big time with their dance moves and the respective winners, both Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa are expected to come up with another season of popcorn entertainment. Both Sony and Star One are keen on airing the next season of the shows. If the insiders are to be believed, things are going to be bigger and better next time with big celebrities dancing to popular tunes.


Durgesh Nandini

Sony is toying with the idea of a daily soap named Durgesh Nandini, an adaptation of the celebrated Bengali novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee by the same name. It's a period drama which revolves around a village girl, who is named heir to a large estate, when her father (who is a businessman) passes away. She has to shift to the city to not only manage the fortunes but also deal with a family who is alien to her. The family is also hostile to her as she is the custodian to the entire business empire and has turned up in their lives out of the blue. Although the cast is yet to be finalised, it is rumoured that Tassnim Sheikh, Anupam Bhattacharya and Shubhaavi will find their way into the serial. The hunt is still on for the lead actor. The show will be produced by Shobhna Desai and it will be aired on the prime time band.


Extreme MakeOver

After playing the ugly duckling in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, followed by her winning score in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Mona Singh is going to host the reality show Extreme Makeover. It is a formatted show, where people born with defects or who had accidents will be undergoing surgery in the show. As the actress underwent a makeover as Jassi, she is the apt choice for anchoring the show. Mona has been saying that the show will target people who are not able to lead normal lives because of the defects and who cannot afford the surgery. There will be a panel of doctors and dentists and the crew would go to the houses of participants let audiences know the 'before and after' stories and effects.

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&am p;am p;sectid=12&contentid=20070101023809687f28e5479  

Posted: 17 years ago
"I'm very much at Sony and at an interesting stage of my career"



After the initial pangs of settling down Sandiip Sikcand, Chief Creative

Director, Sony, is now getting down to the real task on hand. On a rather candid note he says, "Last six months, I've learned a lot and made a few mistakes but the work really starts now. The main task at hand is to concentrate on our daily soap programming."

In the last six months the channel has seen a slew of launches - Kaajal, Kulvuddhu, Durgesh Nandini and Jeete Hain Jiske Liye. Very soon Indian Idol is all set to roll out, soon to be followed by Smriti Irani's Viruddh.

In an exclusive chat with SEEMA PHERWANI , Sikcand talks about his programming perspective for the channel, new challenges ahead and most importantly clears out the air on the recent media controversies about his position at Sony.



First and foremost can you clear the air on the media reports speculating about you serving a notice period at Sony?
Looks like there's a certain section of people who know more about me than me myself! But I'd like to clarify that this is all categorises under gossip, rumour and hearsay. I am very much here at Sony and do not want to deviate from the main task in hand. In fact, I am at a very interesting stage of my career where there's a lot of hope and scope.

So, what's that main task?
See, somewhere along the line, audiences have forgotten that Sony is a fiction channel too and not just into reality shows . It is very important to bring home this point that we also are a daily soap provider.

It's been around six months since you've taken over as Chief Creative Director of Sony. What have been the key learnings for you?
The manner in which you achieve your targets here is totally different. In the last six months, I've been meeting a whole lot of new producers. By now I've just understood the framework; I'm still in my early days and have just about understood the system. I would say the training period is over and I've made a few mistakes. But from now on its time to surge ahead with a bang. I've understood the ropes and the strategies to take things forward. The work really starts now.

Mistakes? Which ones?
I wouldn't say mistakes really. But things like how to approach a show, what kind of shows one should be looking at, how to test a concept and make sure that it works…. Like sometimes I've heard some excellent screenplays whose execution has gone completely haywire. You realize how production houses can goof up and how sometimes they don't bring to the table what they actually commit. Sometimes one is very passionate about an idea but it just doesn't stand a chance in the market.

Somehow the initial ratings of your shows haven't been very impressive?
I think it's too early to talk about ratings. Kulvuddhu started off very well and like all other shows there was a slight dip. But the main story unfolds now. Durgesh Nandini has given us a very good response in Rajasthan and Gujarat and Jeete Hain….in the metros.

Why is it that Sony has suddenly pumped in too many news shows in a very short span?
I agree that the roll out of shows has been a bit fast. But that's what we wanted. Kaajal was already in the pipeline, and Kulvaddhu's pilot was already ready, the concept which I agreed to and took it forward. Also, Jeete Hain….and Durgesh Nandini were also in the queue. Of course when I came in, my immediate focus was on Jhalak….and Bigg Boss and was given the total creative freedom in terms of their pitching.

You've been criticized for coming on too strong on a few producers?
There are some people who are trying to malign me. The point is I don't terrorise or harass producers. You can speak to any of them. They all have access to my bosses. Also I believe that these producers have a creative mind and I prefer a creative dialogue. I do have opinions but I never tell them that 'I am the channel head and this is how its got to be done'.

Wasn't it a bit risky to go ahead with first time producers like Anuj Saxena (Kulvaddhu) and Smriti Irani (Virudh)?
Not really but working with new producers does have its set of problems. But that's bound to happen. Both Anuj and Smriti have definitely brought something to the table. We can't judge everybody by the same scale because then there would be no new producers. If someone had not given Ekta her fair chance then there would not have been a Balaji today.


Zee has been riding high on the 9 -10 pm band. Are you ready with your strategies for your channel?

We have our game plan ready to regain our position. The first step is to take the right path which is giving due prominence to fiction.

Are you looking at Sahara One or Zee as your competition?
I think everybody is competition right now, from Star to MTV. But definitely, we are directly competing with Star, Zee and Sahara One. And if you look at the number of news channels today, with shows like Sansani on air, then of course everybody is competing for eyeballs.

Why is it that all the Balaji walk outs are being welcomed by Sony?
I think all the actors have a free mind. And when an actor has free dates, they are free to take up any show or channel. I should not be crucified for having a conversation with Aamna, Cezanne or anybody else. I have not gone out of my way and told people to throw away your contracts and work for us. Also the reports about enticing people with double money are all rubbish.

You've worked in a mega production house, Balaji earlier. Now how does it feel being on the other side of the fence?
At Balaji we used to work with a lot of passion with vigour. I see that lacking in most of the production houses, only a handful are passionate out there. I think there's slight in difference in being completely crazy and being passionate. To be successful you need to have that junoon. There seems to be a laidback attitude like - ho jaye gaa, kar lenge. But I think the market reality is that this is the time to get out there. In TV, there's no place for meritocracy. I think that fire within is very important and to bring that alive on screen is not anybody's ballgame.

When do we finally see a Balaji show on Sony? Have you sorted your issues with Ekta?
I do not want to comment about anything that the press is written about Ekta and me. Sony's doors are open for everybody who has the right concept for us.

What action do we foresee on the Indian Idol front?
Viewers will get to see a lot of entertainment this time around. Since its coming back after a year gap, we wanted to remove the predictability factor. So we have roped in new judges - Udit Narayan and pop diva Alisha Chinai. Also the anchors Hussian and Mini share an excellent chemistry and I'm sure viewers will like them.

People watch shows or channels?
I think people start watching shows and then they start watching channels.

From an actor to associate Creative Head and now a Chief Creative Director, you seem to be a fast learner?
I actually started off as a businessman. For about ten years I used to handle garment exports along with my mother. Later, I realized that I cannot handle it and needed to do something more creative in my life. So, I wrapped up my business at the age of 27 and started my own theatre company. Later at Balaji, I didn't know a thing about television but I just went ahead with my instincts. I actually wanted to be an actor, not knowing that there was a bigger opportunity lying in front of me.

http://www.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/mar/5mar/interview_sandiip. php

 

Posted: 17 years ago
Smriti Irani's sister act!

He may be playing the role of Smriti Irani's onscreen brother in Viruddh, but the bond between Karan Mehra and Smriti doesn't seem to be limited to the screen.

Apparently she seems to be treating Karan, who plays the role of Viddhanth in her show, like her real sibling even when the camera's not rolling. And, but of course, Karan has developed a deep liking for this big star. "Smriti's been very sweet to me. She also comes to my vanity van to verify whether I am alright and have taken my meals on time. She really acts like me elder sister on the sets."

Next we'll hear Karan crooning, 'phoolo ka taro ka sabka kehna hain, ek hazaron mein meri behna hain!'

http://www.tellychakkar.com/y2k7/mar/21mar/grapevine.php

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