Thursday, October 27, 2011

Sing a song:The untold story

Rangmunch.TV is back with its sing a song segment, where we think of the most apt numbers on lesser talked about Jodi's on Television:

A marriage you never wanted, a husband who you cant relate to and a family where you are stuck with no option. Your heart melts when you see Sandhya of Diya aur Baati Hum's state. When she stood up for her co-sister in law last night, you also realize how much of a mis-fit she is in this family! While we know the two hearts will eventually meet,  and Suraj and Sandhya may become an example to quote the song that aptly describes Sandhya right now reads...

      Chan se jo toote koi sapna
Jag Soona soona lagey
 Koi rahey na jab apna ...
 Jag Jag soona laagey re....

Akash and Payal of Iss Pyaar Ko Kyaa Naam Doon, are a sweet couple, and the lesser talked about ones on the show. However, their love story is also soon taking shape and their romance where Payal is in denial only because Akash's mother constantly reminds her of her social status. The beautifully shot falling in love scenes between Akash and Payal, take you back to the late nineties and remind you of the Vidhu Vinod Chopra Film Kareeb and the song we think of when we think of this couple is ...

Palke Jhuki,Palke Uthi
Kya Keh diya Kya suna...
Chori Chori jab nazre mili
Chori Chori fir neende udi
Chori Chori dil ne kaha...
Chori main bhi hai maza....

Young and innocent love always appeals to the eyes. It makes an instant place in your heart. Thats perhaps why, when you see Ganga and Saranga, and their love story, you automatically ignore the other harsh realities involved and just want the two to live in their dream world. Set in a pretty dark backdrop, their love story is a recent addition to the star plus show Mann ki Awaaz Pratigya. This story is sure to catch your attention and your heart feels for the lover, and you do silently pray for their well being!
                                                                          
                                                                        Mil Jaye Naina ek do baras door rehna
                                                                        Kuch ho gaya toh phir na kehna
                                                                       Parbat se ghanghor ghataye takraaye toh kya ho?
                                                                       Barsat ho
                                                                      Tere Dil se mera dil jaaye toh kya ho?
                                                                      Baraat ho
                                                                      Jaane Kab Barsaat Ho
                                                                     Jaane Kab Baraat Ho ...
                                                                    Main Sola Baras ki
                                                                  Tu Satra Baras ka....

When you think of Gaurav and Vidya in Maryada-Lekin Kab tak the first thing that comes to your mind is the pain that love brings in with it. The pain of non-reciprocating love. It shows you the state of helplessness of two souls bound together in marriage, unable to break and unable to take things forward. Things however seem to be changing for the couple lately with the fans of Gaurav and Vidya hoping that a miracle may change Gaurav's feelings towards Vidya. So is that miracle going to ever happen?

wafadaari ki woh rasme
nibhaayenge hum tum kasme
ek bhi saas zindagi ki
 jab tak ho apne bas main

 jab koi baat bigad jaaye
 jab koi mushkil padh jaaye
tum dena saath mera oh humnava
na koi hai na koi tha ...
zindagi main tumhare siva ...
tum dena sath mera oh humnava....

We at Rangmunch.TV start our day on that note! Every sub-plot adds up to the main plot, influencing the main story as a whole. The same is the case with all the above couples that have their own story to tell! Do let us know what you thought of this segment! Have a nice day!

Niharika Vidya Sagar
Rangmunch.TV

The Age old tale of good over evil!!!




Dassera and Diwali, both these festivals symbolizes the victory of “good over evil” and forms an integral part of our Epic story Ramayana. Dassera is celebrated because its believed, on that very day Lord Ram had saved his wife Sita from Ravan’s evil intentions and put an end to his life, while Diwali is to celebrate the return of Lord Ram along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.


As much as we hate Ravan, I strongly believe that Ramayan would not have been so interesting without him. While Ram and Ravan were equally strong individuals both physically and mentally, but it was Ravan’s wrong deeds and cruel intentions that made us take a notice of Lord Ram’s noble thoughts and deeds and glorified him as a character.

Eva Grover who plays Niharika in BAHL
Similarly, in the fictional world we have characters like Shyaam or Mamiji of Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon, Niharika-ji (Ram’s mother) of Bade Acche Lagte Hai, Raashi of Saathiya, Rama Bhabi of Navya, and many more. In every episode they plan and plot against the Protagonist or the Hero (male or female), they spit venom every time they open their mouth, they dominate over the weak souls and last but not the least, they manipulate situations and circumstances to meet their ends. The only thing that matters to them is their well-being by any means. A trend that was set by the likes of Komolika and Ramola Sikand where, the bad one’s made it their one point agenda to ruin the lives of the good ones, the time of the festivals have always been chosen as a symbolic time to show the win of good over evil !


Whenever these characters come on screen they rile us up. We wish that their evil intentions get exposed and they are punished. But as much as we hate them, we cannot deny the fact that its their evilness that eventually glorifies the goodness of our Protagonist or the Hero. 

Abhaas Mehta who plays Shyam in Is Pyaar ko...kya naam doon?
When we see Shyaam’s evil intentions behind his sugar coated words, do we realize how contrastingly good Arnav Singh Raizada is as a person. On the face of it he may be arrogant, impulsive, rude and aggressive towards Khushi but he can never harm her intentionally unlike Shyaam. Similarly when we see Mamiji being rude and bitter towards Khushi and Payal, our eyes start looking for Anjali and our heart yearns for her sweet and comforting words. Had it not been for Mamiji, Anjali’s sweetness would have failed to captivate our attention.


It is these negative characters that create situations and circumstances, which lead our protagonist to emerge as strong individuals and compels us to idealise them. Their manipulative and vindictive nature creates the angst in the story and makes it more interesting. It is because of them that we all want to be like Priya, Khushi or Anjali and dream of a man like Arnav Singh Raizada.


So without the EVIL around, the GOOD would have never got its due credit. Therefore lets thank these characters for giving us our HEROES!!!!


Swati Ghosh
Rangmunch.TV

Is Priya falling in love on Bade Acche Lagte Hai?


"mere sukh dukh, lele te ho, tum banke humsaya...tere apnepan ke aaggey maine bhi sar jhukaaya ... bade acche lagte hai .. saath tera, yeh dilaase, humdardii ... aur tum ...!!"
Ram and Priya on Sony TV's Bade Acche Lagte Hai keep reminding one another that they have been married by obligation and that nothing can ever work out between the two of them. Things however seem to have changed between the duo post the karva-chauth sequence on the show. With the entire family believing it was Priya's faith and belief in the ritual, that made her fast for her husband, in turn saving his life indirectly, and Ram subsequently standing up for her father and her family in the entire fake jewellery episode, one did see the two emotionally bonding and coming closer.
While Niharika is trying all her ways to keep the two apart, there high chances that plans may backfire, and jealousy may actually bring Ram and Priya to realize they do mean more than what they think to one another.
Priya's attitude which had initially made Ram creep out, now has taken the shape of introspection. Priya on the other hand, is elated to know Ram has agreed to fund the building of the special ward for children in the blind school she has been associated with. With everything, working in their favor at the moment, the chances are very high that Priya will fall prey to the charms of her dear husband! 

Do share your views on the same with Rangmunch.TV and let us know what you think about the current track!

Niharika Vidya Sagar
Rangmunch.TV  

International Segment - ‘Home Improvement’ on Star World India – Twenty years on, the classic still improves homes!



(Schedule on Star World – 11.30 pm every weekday. Season 2 airs tonight. Repeats during weekdays @ 7.30 am and 4.30 pm. Saturdays – Repeats 1pm-2pm)

At a time when television is replete with shows that are full of sexual innuendos bordering on crassness to get a belly laugh out of the viewers, Star World India has brought back ‘Home Improvement’ as a gentle reminder that a clean family show based on situational comedy (sitcom) can be as much fun to watch if not more.


‘Home Improvement’ belongs to the elite category of evergreen shows like ‘Frasier’, ‘Cheers’, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, and ‘Friends’. You just cannot get enough of them. They stay fresh in that wonderful warm place you call memory. And when you see them on screen again, irrespective of the time past since your first dose of the show, you are drawn back to that special place you wish you never left. My memory of it is tagged to warm fuzzy feelings of time spent with family laughing my heart out at every episode – 30 minutes of unadulterated laughter therapy!


The show aired for the first time in the US in 1991. It has been two decades (204 episodes spread over 8 successful seasons and 8 years) and even today, I cannot stop smiling at the very mention of ‘Home Improvement’. It lifted my spirits, and taught me that family can be fun. That values can be instilled through laughter instead of sticks is something that I learnt from this show.

The Taylors

The sitcom revolves around the Taylor family headed by Tim ‘the tool man’ Taylor played by Tim Allen, one of the best stand-up comedians of the country (US). Tim is a loving husband, caring father, ever ready with his witty repartee and quips, and is also passionate about cars. His favourite pastime is to meddle around with his tools to build anything around his home, which annoys his wife a great deal. 

His domineering yet understanding wife, Jillian Taylor (Patricia Richardson) though imperfect, forms a perfect partnership with her husband Tim, to bring up their three sons Brad, Randy, and Mark. Dynamics of Jill and Tim’s relationship is so fascinating that it is discussed in academic papers about feminism and men’s movements.

The Brats
 
The junior Taylors keep us amply entertained with their antics through out the series. Their interpersonal interactions often make us clutch our tummies and roll on the floor laughing. Bradley Michael “Brad” Taylor (Jachery Ty Bryan) is the oldest one who is the strongest, most athletic and slightly academically challenged of the trio. Tim is shown to share the best rapport with Brad. Randall William “Randy” Taylor (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the second one is the smartest, most intelligent and mischievous of the three. The youngest son, Marcus Jason “Mark” Taylor (Taran Noah Smith) is the most sensitive of the three. During his initial years, Brad and Randy often picked on him.

Tool Time

The title ‘Home Improvement’ is a pun very much intended. It is a play on Tim’s career as a tool man improving the physical characteristics of a home as well as improving the lives of his friends and family. Tool time is a local show within the show about ways to improve homes with tool, hosted by Tim Taylor along with his best friend and assistant Albert “Al” Borland (Richard Karn).

The show saw two ‘Tool girls’ during its run – Lisa was played by Pamela Anderson for the initial two seasons and then the rest of the series saw Heidi Keppert (Debbe Dunning) as the tool girl on ‘Tool Time’.

The Neighbour
 


Wilson, Tim’s neighbour, happens to be the trusted voice of reason on the show the Taylors unfailingly turn to for advice and confidence. Interestingly, Wilson is the only character in the history of television, never to have revealed his face completely, during the entire series.



A Must Watch!

* You don’t want to miss out on your daily dose of easy laughter

* Three words, “Jonathan Tyler Thomas”! – Watch out for that firecracker who is sure to dazzle you with his quick wit, sensitivity, and irresistible charm.

* Goofy Tim’s impeccable comic timing and chemistry with his friend Al on ‘tool time’.

* Tim and Jill’s ‘Tug of words’ is sure to pep you up!

* Learn while you laugh. Tool time does have something to teach you about home improvement and ways to use the tools under all its silliness.

* Tim’s heart-to-heart talks with Wilson across the fence when you get to catch glimpses of serious Tim.


* Last but not the least – Because we say so! :-)



I leave you with a picture of the cast taken as recently as last month (September 2011) during the reunion of the show.

Which is that one show you would love to watch again and again?



Neeraja Unni

Rangmunch.tv

Fistful of Fascinating Facts: You know what ....

Here are some things that you may have or may not have heard about your favorite stars...  You know what ...






Actor Sameer Sharma who plays Dev on Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi has a room full of books with another one fast filling. Sameer happens to be a good cook as well.





Actor Gurmeet Choudary, got injured in his chest while shooting for his Punjabi film recently and he continues to shoot despite the same.





Actor Anjum Farooqi, who plays Gauri in Balika Vadhu also played the role of the older Antara in Zee-TV's Aapki Antara.








Actor Himansh Kohli aka Raghav Oberoi of Humse Hai Liife was an RJ in Delhi before he became an actor.








Actress Daljeet Bhanot was seen in a short blink a miss role in Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai, where she played Angad's and Kripa's friend.











Vindya Tewari who plays the role of Vidya in Maryada-Lekin Kab Tak is also a Kathak dancer.















Before playing the author backed role of Parvati in Kahani Ghar Ghar ki, Sakhi Tanwar, who now essays the role of Priya in Sony TV's Bade Acche Lagte Hai played the role of Saraswati in DoorDarshan's show Ehsaas in the 90's. Sakshi still fondly remembers the role.






Raqesh Bapat who plays Aditya in Maryada-Lekin Kab Tak, was dyslexic as a child and hence relates to the character of Ishaan in Taare Zameen Par. He had to go through a tough phase before he over came the same and today he is a successful actor.








Is there something about your favorite actors that you know of but we don't? Please do share them with us! You never know, they could appear right here!! As we move forward, we believe in sharing what we gather, and we at Rangmunch expect the same out of you as well!!!


Niharika Vidya Sagar
Rangmunch.TV

Geet: Entry of a Mystery Man?





A shadow of your past, or a new entrant into your future? A secret admirer or an obsessive stalker? As the fans of Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi sat up to catch the latest promo that shows Geet thinking of Maan, and remembering him while an unknown voice takes slow steady steps towards Geet, it leaves you with an eerie feeling that there is another storm brewing in the life of Maan and Geet's love story.

In a track earlier on the show, when Maan and Geet had just gotten married, someone had gifted the two a broken photo-frame creeping Geet out totally. Geet had also received a call from a certain someone who she didn't know of. Things however didnt take a shape back then as the couple got down to dealing with other issues of matrimony. So,is this someone we already know that we will see in new light, or is a new entry on the cards? From the looks of it, it looks more like the latter!

All of us know how protective Maan is of Geet, and in the current track Maan is shown to have been called for a meeting in London all of a sudden. Geet and Maan finally have succeeded in teaching their family members a lesson that fighting will get them no where and they need to peacefully co-habit! But now with Maan away, looks like, Geet's life is all set to take a different turn with someone totally besotted with her!!!

Rangmunch.TV will keep you posted on the developments, but for now enjoy this all new twist on Geet-Hui Sabse Parayi on StarOne.

Niharika Vidya Sagar
Rangmunch.TV

Aditi Chopra: I, Me, Myself!



Many times while we do this segment with your favorite actors, we ask them a question. Do you believe in Luck? Today, as we ask ourselves this question, we will give you an answer too. When we started out with Rangmunch, we did our very first interview with Aditti Chopra, aka Pinky of Geet aka Sana of Humse Hai Liife! On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, we decided, to interview her since she has proven lucky for us! Not only is this little girl bubbly and full of life, she is a hard core positivist ! Read on and figure it out for yourself !!

                                                       
RM: Whats the one thing you are grateful for  in life ? ? 
Aditi: Hmmm.. My cute looks ( laughs shyly)

RM: Whats the one thing missing from your life?
Aditi: My elder sister, who’s no more. Of course , I miss her the most .

RM: What according to you is your greatest asset ?
Aditi: My  eyes.

RM: Beauty or Brains?
Aditi: Brains.

RM: What is that you need to change about yourself?
Aditi: Nothing yaar. I’m really happy with what I am.I really need to grow in life , but nothing as such I wanna change.

RM: Which is the one character you would love to play once in a life time ?
Aditi: Hmm.. Madhuri Dixit's role as Nisha in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun. ( laughs)I actually just love Salman. I don’t mind even if he adopts me .( goes on laughing) .

RM: Are you adventurous by nature?
Aditi: Ya, …sort of… well Not exactly.I kinda get scared very soon.

RM: Do you read the news paper ?
Aditi: Of course  I do.I cannot move out of my house without Mumbai Mirror.

RM: Which section do you read first ?
Aditi: YOU .It’s  called You.

RM: Who has made the greatest impact o your life ?
Aditi: My sister and my mom.

RM: Do you forgive yourself easily ?
Aditi: No, if I’m wrong in anyway, I would never ever forgive myself, and for next 2-3 days I go into Tulsi and Parvati mode !

RM: Describe yourself in one sentence?
Aditi: Hmm…I’m an extremist. Only one word .

RM: If you had to change your name for a day , what name would you give yourself ?
Aditi: I would call myself  Khushi, because , I’m always happy, and make people happy.

RM:Tell us one Diwali memory that will always stay fresh in your mind ?
Aditi: There are many. Few good ones , and few bad ones. The bad was when , I was in 10th standard, I purchased a beautiful dress that costed me almost fifteen thousand rupees, it got burnt because of a cousin. I was like , I can never ever forgive you for this ( now smiles at that memory ). I have taken it as a lesson and have stopped buying expensive stuff for Diwali.



Having asked her these brief questions, we also went on to talk about her work ...!! Aditi is still loved and missed on Geet .. and alot of people were left disappointed after, her impending love track with Adi (Praneet Bhatt) never took off !!! Aditti still carries very fond memories of Geet, and this is what she had to say about the show and her co-stars...
"Ya, Its been a while since I have shot for Geet... Infact it was just this morning that I got a call from Drashti, asking me where I am and what I have been upto. Ofcourse I miss my whole unit, Geet, Guru bhai, Praneet of course, Anju ji- Everyone actually."




For those of you that miss seeing Aditi on screen, you can now see her play Sana on Humse hai Liife on Channel V. She plays Raghav's best friend on the show, who is a tom-boy. 
"She hates those anky-panky  talks of those stupid school girls though she is very much a part of the kool kats klub". explains Aditti!

Before we sign off we wish Aditti a very Happy Diwali and she sweetly greets us all in return..."Wishing all my  sweethearts a very happy Diwali, and play safe. Go do lots of shopping and eat lots of chocolates instead of Mithai , also stay away from cousins who burn your clothes!!!"(  says with a naughty smile)





Interviewed and Edited by,
Niharika Vidya Sagar
Navyanka Varma
Rangmunch.TV