Marathi TV serials celebrate Gudhi Padwa
Every big Maharashtrian Festival is observed in ongoing Marathi serials. On the occasion of Gudhi Padwa, we saw the hoisting of Gudhi , through many serials. In ‘Asa Sasar Surekh Bai‘ on Colors channel, we saw Santosh Juvekar playing the character of Yash Mahajan returning home from hospital, on this festive occasion. We also saw Vaibhav Mangle hoisting the Gudhi at his residence and offering prayers, in presence of his wife and parents , in the serial ‘Majhe Pati Soubhagyavati‘ on Zee Marathi channel.
But, in Star Pravah‘s serial ‘Devyani‘ , on the auspicious occasion of Gudhi Padwa, Ekka and Phulrani played by will be seen as a newly married couple, showing them celebrating the festival together. In short, the couple will be seen together in a happy mood, with Phulrani, winning her love. But now, it remains to be seen, how Phulrani will protect her husband from Surekha.
‘Devyani’ lead actress finds a surprise gift, on the eve of her birthday
Celebrating birthdays of artistes on the sets of their film or TV serial, is a common practice. But, sometimes, it comes in the form of surprise, on the eve of artiste’s birthday. The lead actress Siddhi Karkhanis of the popular TV show ‘Devyani‘, was given surprise, when she visited the sets of her daily soap. The entire crew had planned a surprise birthday party for the talented actress, on the eve of her birthday. Siddhi was not only surprised by the impromptu birthday party, but also with the unique gift she received from the entire team.
Apart from the cake the entire team gifted Siddhi lots of lady finger (Bhendi) much to the surprise of Siddhi. Talking about the unique gift Director Karthik Kainde said, “Siddhi loves Bhindi sabzi and in a month she gets variety of the same sabzi for almost 15 days. She not only cooks and eats it herself but also feeds the entire crew with it. So, while discussing with the team as to what to buy for her, the entire team came up with the unique idea of gifting her Bhendi.”
Reacting on this surprise gift, Siddhi Karkhanis said, “The entire team is like a family to me and it was very sweet of them to celebrate my birthday .. The icing on the cake was gifting me Bhindi. Now, I will make sure I make that sabzi and feed them.”
“Have patience, have faith in yourself and give honest work – is the funda of my life” – Sameedha Guru
Having a family background of dance, writing and acting , Samidha Guru started and father late Suresh Deshpande, was a noted writer and director of Marathi plays. Her sister is a ‘Kathak Visharad’ and is a known actress. Even her husband (Abhijit Guru) is a good writer, actor and director . Samidha is BSc (Microbiology) along with BA (English literature). Before shifting to Mumbai, she had actively participated in theatre and also did a teaching job for a couple of years. After marriage, she came to Mumbai and got a break on small screen. She gives all credit to her husband and family.
Samidha Guru did her debut on Television through ‘Soniyacha Umbaratha‘ but she got noticed in ‘Avaghachi Sansar‘, in which she played an angry young woman. After this, she did prominent roles in many popular serials which include ;Jivalaga‘, ‘Zunj‘, ‘Ya Valanavar‘, ‘Devyani‘, ‘Gandha Fulancha Gela Sangun‘, ‘Tujavin Sakhya re‘. Samidha has also acted in many stage plays at Nagpur. Recently her commercial play ‘Get Well Soon‘, got lots of appreciation from audience as well as from critics. Her acting is noticeable and specially acclaimed. She is currently busy in shooting of her new film, which is being directed by Nagesh Bhosale.
On big screen, Samidha has also done prominent roles in ‘Kaydyaach Bola‘, ‘Majha Mee‘, ‘Dhating Dhingana‘ and ‘Tukaram‘ wherein her acting was appreciated. Recently she received State award for her role in a Marathi film ‘Kapuskondyachi Gosht‘. In which she is in the lead role, with Makarand Anaspure. This film is due for release shortly. We had a chitchat with this hardworking actress regarding her role and the journey of her career.
Q: Tell us something about the story and your role in ‘Kapuskondyachi Gosht‘ .
A: The story and my role are very close to my heart. It is a story of a poor farming family from Vidarbha. Her father commits suicide due to agricultural damage. There are three more girls in the family and their responsibility falls on her shoulders after the death of their father. Then, how she stands in the farm along with sisters, how she overcomes the crisis, is the story all about.
Q: It seems, first time you are playing such a character, what was your reaction after reading the script?
A: I thought, this is a golden opportunity for me and I must do this role, This role is emotionally very strong, which will be more helpful for me as an actress.
Q: Did you face any difficulties while preparing for this role?
A: Not exactly; since I’m from Nagpur, the accent or language was not an issue for me. But it was tough during the shooting. We have shot in very hot climate, it was almost 48 degree, I had totally tanned. Now I have received State award for this role. So I’m satisfied about my work.
Q: How was your experience while working in ‘Get Well Soon‘?
A: It was a great learning experience, Chandrakant Kulkarni Sir, is an institute himself. He is very disciplined . I also learnt a lot from each of my co stars in this play. Swapnil Joshi is a simply great artist. He is very supportive and down to earth. Sandip Mehta has different view of life. It was really a great pleasure to work with all of them.
Q: Out of Television, Theatre and Films. which field you feel most challenging / important ?
A: All three are fine with me. I won’t mind to work in any medium. I work with same passion, but theatre and films have more shelf life.
Q: Don’t you think there are less women oriented films in our industry?
A: Yes, but looking at recent time; the scenario seems to have changed. We had films like ‘72 Miles‘, ‘Mee Sindhutai Sapkal‘, ‘Sou Shashi Deodhar;. They are giving importance to women empowerment. So let us hope for the best.
Q: What one should do, to get a break in our industry? What could be the success mantra?
A: Actually it’s different from person to person. Sometimes your patience gives you good opportunities. One should not only work hard but should work very honestly. Self respect and confidence about our work are also equally important. Have patience’, have faith in yourself and work honestly , these are the fundas of my life.
I enjoy playing cute bubbly characters- Shivani Surve
Today she is known as ‘Devyani’ among all Marathi TV viewers, because of her title role in Star Pravah’s popular serial ‘Devyani’. But, for Shivani Surve, it’s not her debut in entertainment field, as before this serial, she has done three Hindi TV serials namely, ‘Phulwa’, ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’ and ‘Navya’, offering her roles, suited to her teenage, at that time.
In fact, Shivani made her debut in films, at the little age of seven, when she played the main lead role in a Bhojpuri film ‘Ganga Mili Sagar Se’. It was after that she performed in a Marathi drama ‘Mangalayacha Lena’ and then joined a Hindi theatre Group ‘Karma Kala Manch’, which opened doors for her entry into Hindi serials.
As a child, Shivani spent her childhood days in Dombivali and only 5 years ago the family shifted to Sion, Mumbai. While Shivani was doing her serial ‘Navya’ she had to give time for her 12th std exams and had to quit the serial. But, little before that she was suggested to give audition for a Marathi serial. It was always the wish of Shivani’s mother that she should act in a Marathi serial and the opportunity came, when Shivani was selected to play for this title role in ‘Devyani’.
Reacting to her selection in this Marathi serial, Shivani says that she is now happy to receive appreciation from the people of Maharashtra, after becoming popular in places like Bihar and North India, performing those Bhojpuri type of roles in Hindi.
Speaking about Devyani’s character in particular, Shivani says, “This character of Devayani only knows how to be good to all with her polite nature. She is not the rough and tough type of girl. She follows the principles passed on to her by her father. Initially, Devayani’s marriage is fixed with a Doctor; but Samrat steps in and breaks it. It was due to pressure mounting on my family, I get married to Samrat and become a part of his family, comprising of head person- Sarjerao Vikhe Patil and his elder daughter in law Vatsala, played by Saie Ranade Sane. And the latest developments are being watched by you all.”
Simple and frank in the discussion, Shivani admitted that there was a lot of hard work, while completing her 12th standard, which she completed through correspondence course and then appearing for the exams; besides continuing with her acting assignments. When asked as to what type of roles she enjoyed playing the most, she said, “I am more comfortable playing cute bubbly character, the kind of I played in Star TV’s serial ‘Navya.”
It was a pleasure talking to this talented actress, for whom ‘sky is the limit’. Marathi Movie world wishes her a bright future.
New serial ‘Devyani’ on Star Pravah from 19th March
From 19th March onwards at 8.30 pm on Star Pravah, get ready to witness the journey of a young girl Devyani and her tryst with life post marriage. It is said that marriages are made in heaven which we solemnize during our existence; however there is a stark difference between dreams and reality!
STAR Pravah, brings alive this thought, through its newest fiction ‘Devyani’. The show will replace ‘Bandh Reshmanche’. ‘Devyani’ is the story of a young college going girl whose life witnesses a sea change, as she enters the wedlock with her obsessive and uncouth lover Sangram Vikhe Patil. While Devyani is a simple girl, who believes in her father’s principles, Sangram is a complete opposite; who never follows rules in his life and is his own master. The show changes course when Sangram falls head over heels with Devyani and is hell bent on winning her while Devyani’s marriage has been arranged with Dr Namit. What happens next forms the premise of the show.
The show introduces Shivani Surve and Sangram in lead roles, while the versatile Nagesh Bhonsale makes his come back to Marathi GEC space. Nagesh Bhonsale will be seen playing the head of Vikhe Patil family, father of Sangram. The show is produced by Anuj Saxena’s Maverick Productions in association with Swapna Waghmare Joshi and Sanjay Memane. After a successful stint in the South, Anuj Saxena now enters the Marathi GEC Space with Devyani.