"I always try to make shows on subjects I can relate to or experiences I have gone through"

Producer Pearl Grey of Spellbound talks about her new show Doli Armaanon Ki and why Pratigya 2 was cancelled.

As her latest show Doli Armaanon Ki is nearing its launch on Zee TV, producer Pearl Grey is excited and a ball of nerves at the same time. Just back from a five-day outdoor to Jhansi, where the story is based, Pearl is really hopeful that the show will create the same magic as Star Plus' Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya. The producer of Spellbound Productions talks about what inspires her to make social issues based shows and why the second season of Pratigya has been called off.

Pratigya and Pratha were both based on social issues like eve-teasing and honour killing respectively. What about Doli Armaanon Ki?

I always try to pick up social issues that have always plagued India but have mostly been under rug swept because we are taught to ignore them. For instance, every girl faces eve-teasing but we are always told this is how men are and we must learn to live with it. Or we are taught to think we can't do anything about honor killing like portrayed in Pratha. But my question is, why? After those shows now Doli... also will also speaking about a cause but that will probably happen after three months; so I cannot talk about it right now. Every woman can endure only so much and when you torment her beyond her endurance level, she will take a stand and Doli will also have a similar situation.

How do you come about producing shows on social causes? Does it trigger from personal experiences?

Yes, I always try to make shows on subjects I can relate to or experiences I have gone through myself. For instance, having studied in Allahabad, I know it is commonplace there for boys to stalk girls and eve-tease them. I had a close friend who used to be followed by this guy and she used to be so scared. But I decided to stand up against it and complained to the principal. For Doli also, just like Urmi my only dream was to find a nice guy, marry him and have a happy married life. I had no ambitions or dreams when I was growing up. So I can relate to Urmi too.

What makes Neha Marda ideal for Urmi's role?

I have been seeing Neha acting since she was in Mamta on Zee TV. She has grown tremendously as an actress. I was meant to cast her as Komal's daughter Chinki in Pratigya 2 but unfortunately that didn't work out. When I thought of Doli... Neha was the first name that popped in my head. She is a sensitive and also an intelligent actress and the story is also about a young girl who grows to be a mature woman so Neha fit the bill perfectly.

What about Mohit Malik as the main anti-hero?

Initially Mohit was apprehensive about playing the anti-hero but he was really loved as Abhimanyu in Pratigya, who was also an anti-hero. Also Krishna or Sajjan Singh in Pratigya also had shades of grey and they weren't really hero-hero types but they were such a rage. So I told Mohit that if he takes up this show he would have a memorable character for sure. So he came on board.

Why hasn't Pratigya 2 materialized yet?

Just like most second seasons, Star wanted to make Pratigya with a different storyline, different characters and actors but we were keen on taking the story of Season 1 forward with Pooja Gor as Krishna-Pratigya's daughter. We were really disappointed that we couldn't make it the way we wanted so we decided to can it altogether. Otherwise Pratigya 2 would have gone on air in November.

Why didn't you cast Pooja Gor as Urmi since you already gave a hit with her?

Pooja as Pratigya has created an image of a very strong woman, which was further consolidated when she did Saavdhan India (Life OK). But Urmi is a very vulnerable and naive girl with lofty dreams and Pooja wouldn't have looked as convincing in the role.

You chose Zee TV for the show. Why not on Star Plus?

I have worked in Zee TV for three years writing shows like Suhana Safar, Rishtey and Saturday Suspense. I always wanted to produce a show for Zee TV because it has been a very satisfying experience working with the channel.


Dhaval Roy

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Neha Marda Thumbnail

Neha Marda

Mohit Malik Thumbnail

Mohit Malik

Pearl Grey Thumbnail

Pearl Grey

Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya poster

Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya

Doli Armaanon Ki poster

Doli Armaanon Ki

Star Plus thumbnail

Star Plus

Zee TV thumbnail

Zee TV

Comments (12)

To the makers of this show: firstly this show is very good not that typical saas bahu show as i expected, ppl may see it as saas bahu show but its actually a show between husband and wife. Unfortunately Samrat character exists in this world especially in middel east. Second makers may not know but this show is purely based on life of someone close that i know! Story is going very good so far plz do not change the script for the sake of TRP if you really want the audience to learn something from this show. And plz make Urmi strong woman against Samrat, dont bring unrealistic tracks! Show those suffering women how to handle and survive with their samrat kind of husband. This show can become an example if you guys are serious about it. Till now its going very good no fake dramas or anything else! Keep it up and plz dont dissapoint us, I expect alot from the makers! All the best! :)

10 years ago

We Love Krishna and Pratigya... and yea Thanks to Star for not allowing you to move on with the crap story of KriYas daughter in MKAP2... MKAP means KriYa ArJa... So we'd prefer just a single season with KriYa rather than 2 seasons witj others !!! MISS MKAP KRIYA ARJA...

10 years ago

impressive interview i must had to admit ...

10 years ago

Thanks for the article. Story seems interesting and the cast is cool.

10 years ago

Thnks for casting mohit as lead...he is really hot..gonna watch this show only for him..

10 years ago

Thank u Pearl mam for giving us Arhaan Behll. We miss PRATIGYA and KRISHNA.

10 years ago

Awesome..mam but plzzz give us romance nd lots of romantic scenes and fight scenes if mohit as he is tooo hottt. Cant wait to see him nd kiving him in the promo..

10 years ago

Thanks for casting mohit mam..he is a fabulous actor..nd looks very hot..he has such a grt physique..cant wait to see him..hwas awesome in pratigya..love him..

10 years ago

Very impressive interview. Mohit is a very good choice. He is very talented and a good role with a good pH will bring out the best in him. Neha Marda is also a good actress and is also very sweet.

10 years ago

Thanks mam for convincing mohit for the show. He is such a talented actor but never got into good role. I am sure Mohit and Neha will take your show to heights

10 years ago

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