Wednesday, November 2, 2011

I, Me, Myself! – Riddhi Dogra!


Rangmunch: One thing you are grateful for in your life.


Riddhi: I am grateful for my parents who let me be the person I wanted to be and helped me realize my dreams (states sincerely). As your foundation is built during your growing up years, those are the times when you need somebody to hold your hands and let you do what you want to do. So am extremely grateful to my parents for being so open-minded and letting me try whatever I wanted to.

Rangmunch: One thing that you miss in your life.



Riddhi: A holiday! A honeymoon (she perks up immediately) Actually, Rakesh and I have not gone on a honeymoon since we got married. (Laughs) But we try and make up for it by having fun all the time.



Rangmunch: Do you listen to others?


Riddhi: Yes, of course I do. There was a time when I was growing up when I used to not listen to anybody. I think everyone goes through that phase. But now I do. It’s smart to listen to everybody and then analyze everything in your head and do the right thing.



Rangmunch: What do you need to change about yourself?


Riddhi: (thinks a while before replying) Ever since I have been a child, I have always been a thinking person. Looking at my hand, even the palmist used to say, “tum sochti bohot ho”. So, that is one thing I probably would want to change. But as of now, its not been catastrophic, its been fine.
Rangmunch: Do you complain?


Riddhi: I do complain, but then not to everybody. I complain about things that are complainable. (laughs)


Rangmunch: Do you judge others?


Riddhi: I am a Virgo. (Smiles) Criticizing, being critical comes quite naturally to us. But then am a cusp between Virgo and Libra. I get saved a little because Librans are balanced people. So, I don’t judge that much but I do make first impressions and keep them in my head.



Rangmunch: Do you take risk?


Riddhi: I have always taken risks. I was in a very safe job. I think taking risks comes naturally to me. Even when I was in school, I never used to think of what the norms were. In my college, I used to dance a lot. I always did what I thought my heart said I should do rather than what a girl should do.
Rangmunch: What is your biggest fear?


Riddhi: My biggest fear? (thinks hard) No fear! I don’t really fear anything. I genuinely believe that if I want to do something I will do it. If I have to conquer a fear, I’ll do that too.
With Brother Akshay Dogra
Rangmunch: Do you thank people enough?


Riddhi: I don’t think I thank people enough. I may thank random people a lot but special people whom you must thank, I don’t thank enough. I do it in gestures sometimes. But when I do it, I do it well, from my heart and not superficially.



Rangmunch: Do you think everything happens for a reason?

Riddhi: Ofcourse, everything happens for a reason. I don’t believe that we all come with lines on our palms and that’s how its going to be. I don’t believe in astrologers because they tell you that this is the graph your life is going to take. Whatever happens, I feel it has a deeper meaning to it. We should take the goodness from it and not be bitter about things and learn to move on.

Team of Maryada-Lekin Kab Tak


Rangmunch: What are you proud of?


Riddhi: (thinks really really hard) I am proud of “Maryada”!!! (she declares finally with a smile on her face). I am really proud of this show and lucky to be a part of it because you have no idea where a television show can go. I am very happy and feel blessed to be doing a show like this where everybody’s energies are contributing only to make a good product.



Rangmunch: Do you care about what others think about you?


Riddhi: I care about what people who are close to my heart think of me. I don’t care what others think of me. I never have.
Rangmunch: What is the craziest thing you want to do?

Riddhi: I want to do so much. I want to do all the adventure sports. I badly want to do scuba diving and I want to do bungee jumping. I know Rakesh has done it. I think the craziest thing I want to do is to follow my heart, follow my dreams. I want to learn  the piano, get into fashion. I would like to do all this and break the monotony of life.


With Husband Rakesh Bapat
Rangmunch: Who have had the greatest impact in your life?

Riddhi: Lots of people - My mom does, my brother and Rakesh have a huge impact and my father to a very large extent. So yeah, you can tell that I am a family person.
Rangmunch: Do you procrastinate?

Riddhi: Oh yes! (smiles) Every time I have to wake up in the morning, I do.



Rangmunch: Do you let the negativity get to you?



Riddhi: In this Industry, everything moves at a rapidly fast speed and it gets difficult to balance yourself out. I don’t let it affect me to such an extent that it takes me in.  But I don’t become negative.


Actors especially are a sensitive bunch of people, so we are in touch with our emotions lot more than other people would be.  Negativity does affect you, but it depends on how you take it. If you become bitter and depressed then God help you! I try to stay positive.
Once I read in an interview of Farah Khan, who has seen a lot of bad times growing up, where she has stated that the biggest reason she and her brother have this great sense of humour is because it got them through the bad times. I think it makes a lot of sense. I don’t let negativity rub me the wrong way.

Rangmunch: Do you forgive yourself easily?



Riddi: Yes, I do forgive myself very easily. I am very lenient with myself (laughs)



Rangmunch: Do you frown more than you smile?


Riddhi: No no no, I don’t frown at all (smiles broadly). I don’t get angry also. Even if I get angry, people am angry at normally laugh back at me because I am not very convincing.


On behalf of Rangmunch.TV, we would like to thank Riddhi for this candid interview and wish her all the Best in Life!!


Interviewed by:
Swati Ghosh
Niharika Vidya Sagar
                                                                                       
Edited by:
Navyanka Varma
Neeraja Unni

Navya: Twist in Tale!


Finally, Navya and Anant succeed in postponing their marriage and Navya’s family breathe a sigh of relief. But their happiness proves to be short lived and their smiles soon fade seeing the Divorce notice sent to their daughter Renu by her husband. As Navya and her Parents get a shock of their lives, Renu is shattered at this heartbreaking turn of events. This put an end to her marriage with Gautam.




While Navya’s family is devastated at the state of their daughter, I somehow feel it is a new beginning for Renu. I have come to believe that when GOD takes away something from us, he is only emptying our hands to receive something better.


As a viewer, I wish to see a mature  track of love and understanding between Renu (Navya’s elder sister) and Mohan (Anant’s elder brother). Every time I see Mohan and Renu, my heart aches for them. Two wonderful souls trapped in marital relationships that were never meant for them with partners who did not value them. In our society, Marriage is a Sacred Institution, but nothing can be worse than putting up with a bad marriage. 

It is unfortunate that Mohan has a manipulative and vindictive wife like Rama who is selfish and fails to understand his emotions. It is equally sad to see that Renu’s husband Gautam, even after cheating on her, had the nerve to convince Renu’s family that their daughter was unnecessarily suspecting him over nothing.

Even though Renu and Mohan never looked for someone outside their marriage, the recent twist and turns only goes to suggest that Mohan calling Renu for an interview is not merely a coincidence. It looks like Destiny is creating circumstances for these two to meet and eventually bond. It would also be interesting to see a submissive Mohan eventually stand up for himself and his happiness.


Though it is too early to talk about this track, do let us know if you would like to see Renu and Mohan make a new start or would you want them to continue being in a loveless marriage?

Swati Ghosh
Rangmunch.TV

The Man Who Sailed Alone With His Pain!



"It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends, but it is fate which will turn us into soul mates”


Finally, Ashutosh bared his soul to Dr. Nidhi. He not only spoke his heart out, but unknowingly he opened the door a little bit, for Nidhi to step in. Ashutosh in yesterday’s episode revealed to Dr. Nidhi all the pain and sorrow he feels for not having his Baba around. The man of few words spoke volumes. The way he reminisced about his Baba and the home he still misses and craves for has moved me with an undefined emotion .


“Baba mere naam sab kuch kar gaye sivaye uss ghar ke, aur mujhe, kuch nahi chahiya tha sivaye uss ghar ke”. 


This line described his love for that house so beautifully that it just swept me away. Dr. Nidhi for the very first time got a real glimpse at the person Ashutosh is. If Ashutosh’s words impacted Nidhi, then it was Nidhi’s silent understanding eyes which expressed a lot. This definitely is the turning point in their relationship.


When you let someone in, into your personal space, you are unknowingly giving that person a certain edge and a certain right in a very quiet but subtle manner. That is what happened when Dr. Ashutosh opened up to that one person who he doesn’t know,  but is indirectly  responsible for all the heartache he is going through. If pain and hatred drives them apart, it will be that very pain which will reunite them.

Navyanka Varma
Rangmunch.TV

...And thats why it is Khushi and not La !!




A girl-friend is:

a partner
a trophy
a status symbol in society
a relationship bound by uncertainty..

A life partner is:

a companion
a priceless possession
a an answer to all ur problems against all odds
a relationship that sticks on despite uncertainty!

Kudos to the makers once more for such a brilliant episode!!! The Episodic Story started with Nani accepting and letting the Arnav know she is now ready to get him married to La! But Arnav is not happy. Why? He never wanted to marry La in the first place and was very clear about the same ... But today the issue was not about not wanting to marry her! The question was why he was sure he didn't want to? Things have changed for Arnav over the past few months! Khushi has taken over his senses completely! So when he opposed Nani today, unlike the last time around, he had a valid reason, and the makers very smartly established that minutes before the family arrived, by showing how Khushi stated the sentiment attached to the Payal in her life!

As if his preserving her souvenir was not enough testimony to what was brewing in his heart, he wasted no time in pondering over, returning it since it was so dear to her !Thus, establishing the fact that her happiness, her feelings, her emotions are of utmost importance to this man ! A man who was devoid of all the above, and a man who never acknowledged the same until a while ago!!! So the pain you saw in his face, was not that of indifference and not getting the space he wanted in his own house, but it was the pain of wanting to give someone else the space of a life partner that the family seemed to unknowingly now be wanting to give away to someone else!!!

Love is a two way connection-and here, Khushi right fully complimented him in every way, by suddenly withdrawing at the mention of ASR getting married to La finally! What is that they shared that, it troubled her so much? Why was giving him away to someone who rightly deserved him so painful? What is it that bound the two? Khushi didn't know? Or she knew now ...

A perfect moment to cement the purity of their feelings for one another-a scene of Shyam is aptly inserted, where he is cribbing about, how much more he will have to give up for the sake of his love! Havent we been taught of the unconditional nature of love from time immemorial ? As much as Shyam pleads his love for Khushi is true, he miserably fails by hiding behind a mask! By cheating his family, hurting his loved ones and most importantly counting his actions and gestures! This is where ASR stands out once more! You love his silent yet subtle gestures towards Khushi. He doesnt say it, but you know his heart beats just for her....

An apt selection of song: Unconventional like all others under this Banner have been ..The makers turn your visualization into totally something you would not expect! If the original was all about lust and the physical need to be together, this picturisation according to me did more justice to the lyrics by exactly showing Khushi's state of mind! Those eyes, that were constantly on her, amidst a crowd... !! She could feel his presence around her all along. He had La by his arm and was making no verbal conversation with her, but his heart beats were audible to Khushi! And thats the reason why she kept moving away from him, since her heart was strongly signaling her that their relationship was finally going to have a defining moment!

What one got to see after that left most I am sure speechless, with symbolism at its peak! On not finding her around, he went looking for her!


Bheed main bhi thi Tanhayi
Yaad har pal teri aayi
roke koi mujhe zara
bhar na aaye yeh dil mera...


and then he found her by the pool lighting diyas ... And the moment she saw him she lost control over herself .. her emotions, everything...

behke behke mere kadam hai
aise main tu sambhaal toh zara ...

... and he did sambhalo(hold) her !He caught her... tried to mend her twisted leg-signifying pain! When was the last time we saw this vulnerable side to this man? May be never?

The soft-hearted man, who couldnt take his eyes off, who forewarned her softly" thoda dard hoga" as though to say, my heart with also ache along, but dont worry, I am with you! I am here to ease your pain! He softly places her feet on his thigh giving her support and comfort!

By this act, he has already allowed her to stamp on him unofficially-exposing his vulnerable side to her and has told her, I am allowing you this, because I want it that way! She tightly clasps his shoulder, as though seeking support! When he lightly moved the saree to mend her leg, she had to feel a certain sense of comfort and ease around him to allow him to do that! Or may she was too mesmerized by the moment herself!

After having done his bit, this man, touched my heart the best when he subtly yet impact fully expressed his love for her by still holding onto her foot delicately yet firm- as though to say I don't want to let go of you ever! and then, over the pain that he gave her and mending it later, the man also adorned what he had hurt with what she always wanted!!! A fairy-tale ending or should I call it a beginning?



The pre-cap is another story so I shall save it for another day!! Have a good day! happy viewing!!!


Pictures Credit and Thanks to: lllyria

Niharika Vidya Sagar
Rangmunch.TV

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

International Segment: Popcorn! Movie Line-up this November – Which one of these you wouldn’t want to miss?




Take your pick from a variety of genres that is threatening to invade our theaters this month starting with Sci-Fi and ending with Happy Feet 2. Don’t we all love it when we have choices? So what are you waiting for – Dive in, pick your favorites and block those dates well in advance. Sure, you can thank me later :-)

November 4th: Will you be ‘In Time’ for the ‘Tower Heist'?

In Time (Sci-fi):


Crime, Sci-fi, and Thriller rolled into one; ‘In Time’ tells a story set in the future where people stop aging beyond the age of 25 but unfortunately, you have to buy time to survive post that age. A poor man, Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) finds himself with lots of time on his hands but has to run for his life to escape the corrupt cops known as ‘time keepers’.

The Cast includes American pop singer, Justin Timberlake, Dr Remy Hadley of ‘House’ fame - Olivia Wilde, ‘White Collar’ Matt Bomer, and Amanda Seyfried. It is written and Directed by Andrew Niccol who made his debut with the popular sci-fi movie ‘Gattaca’ based on genetic engineering.


Why would I want to see it? – Justin Timberlake (will he finally be N-Sync with acting?), Matt Bomer (what is he doing in this movie), Andrew Niccol (will he repeat the success of Gattaca?), and finally want to know how to stop aging beyond 25 (One can always hope :P)



Tower Heist (Comedy):


It’s a comedy! Can you expect anything less from a movie starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy? The star cast does not end there. The two comedy kings lead five others who form the extraordinary gang of seven – Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Tea Leoni, and Michael Pena in seeking revenge on the Wall Street swindler who stiffed them. Together they plan a Tower Heist to reclaim what they lost to the swindler.


Why would I want to see it? – Are you kidding me? Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy attempting an Ocean’s 'Seven'. Should be fun! :-)


11th November 2011: Double dosage of 3D action in ‘Immortals’ and ‘Adventures of Tintin’!


Immortals (Action/Fantasy):


Tarsem Singh of ‘The Cell’ comes back with an Action/Drama/Fantasy offering of ‘Immortals’. It is an epic tale of treachery, vengeance, and destiny presented as a spectacular 3D adventure involving a quest across ancient Greece for a legendary weapon by a bloodthirsty king and a heroic young villager who comes forth to stop the impending destruction thereby saving the future of humanity.

The cast includes Mickey Rourke, Henry Cavill, and Freida Pinto.


Why would I want to watch it? – I have a soft spot for stories set in grand settings where the good wins over evil. Throw in a psychic (Frieda Pinto) along with a poor, young, and handsome hero (Henry Cavill) single handedly fighting an army to save the future, am hooked!


Adventures of Tintin – Secret of the Unicorn (3D):


Its an animation movie directed by Steven Spielberg starring Jamie Bell (Tintin), a young reporter in pursuit of a great story who always lands up in the epicenter of adventure, Andy Serkis as Captain Haddock, and Daniel Craig as Red Rackham. Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, and Kathleen Kennedy are the producers of the film.


Why would I want to see it? - All of the above is reason enough.


12th November: Jackie Chan’s ‘1911’

1911 (Historical Drama):


‘1911’ is a historical drama based on ‘The 1911 Revolution in China. This movie has been made as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, which is also known as the 1911 Revolution. Jackie Chan stars with his son Jaycee Chan, Li Bingbing, Joan Chen, and Winston Chao. It is noteworthy that 1911 is Chan’s 100th movie. The master himself, Jackie Chan and Zhang Li, have directed it. 


Why would I want to see it? – Two words – Jackie Chan!



18th November: ‘Footloose’ with ‘Happy Feet 2’ @ ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1’


Footloose (Comedy):


It is a remake of an old movie by the same name. It is a comedy set in a small southern town of Bomont where there is a ban on loud music and dancing. Ren, a teenager challenges the ban, bringing love, dance, and music back into the town. Cast includes Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, and Dennis Quaid.


Why would I want to see it? – Duh! Its dance and music for God’s sakes! How bad can it be?


The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1:


It’s the first part of the fourth book of the hugely popular Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. Breaking Dawn is the much-awaited finale of the Vampire Adventures with Robert Pattinson playing Vampire Edward Cullen, Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan, and Taylor Lautner as the werewolf Jacob Black.


Why would I want to see it? – Am a twilight fan and I am on team Edward. Need I say more?



Happy Feet 2 (3D):


Hurray! Am dancing already! Happy Feet 2 is a sequel to the Academy Award Winning, smash hit, Happy Feet. It is a 3D animation feature with voiceovers by Elijah Wood, Pink, and Elizabeth Daily, and is directed by George Miller


Why do I want to see it? – This question is redundant!


25th November: The Ides of March

The Ides of March:


Written, directed, and produced by George Clooney, The Ides of March is a political drama starring Ryan gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei and George Clooney himself as Governor Mike Morris. It won the Brian Prize at the 68th Venice International Film Festival.


Why would I want to see it?Marissa Tomei – She is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. She is an absolute delight to watch on screen. ‘My Cousin Vinny’ anyone? And ofcourse George Clooney! Eager to see him after his role in and as ‘Michael Clayton’.


26th November: One Day!

One Day (Romance):



It is a romantic film based on a novel of the same name. Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess play the lead. It follows the lives of the protagonists on one particular day, July 15th of every year for twenty years of their lives after they spend a night together on that date one year.

Why would I want to see it? Anne Hathaway. While watching her act, would also love to check out if the movie is as bizarre as it sounds. 

We at Rangmunch.tv would love to know your top picks this November.

Whichever movie you choose to watch, make sure you have fun at the theaters!

I leave you with 'November Rain' by Guns N' Roses -



Neeraja Unni
Rangmunch.tv

Crime Patrol: All about CRIME and CRIMINALS!


Crime Patrol, a series on Sony Entertainment Television that deals with real life stories of Crime and Criminals, has slowly made it to the TRP charts and is now among the Top Ten Shows of the Week. Crime Patrol, conceived and created by Subramanian S. Iyer and developed along with Neeraj Naik is in its Third Season of telecast at the moment.

Hosted by the popular television actor Anup Soni, Crime Patrol is the first of its kind to be aired on Entertainment Network.

When we have several crime based shows on various News Channels, what makes Crime Patrol so different from the rest? As is strongly believed, its not WHAT you show but HOW you show it, that makes all the difference. Similarly, the execution of Crime Patrol is very different as it helps the viewers to understand the “Why” behind the crimes apart from focussing on the “How” and “When”.

Rangmunch.TV, had the priviledge of talking to Anup Soni - the "Face of Crime Patrol,"  who gave us an insight into his journey from an Anchor’s perspective and shared the reason as to why Crime Patrol is garnering high TRPs.



“We have completed more than one and half year with Crime Patrol. There are lots of other shows that depict real life crime stories, but I feel what has connected the audience with this show is the way we have put forth the stories. In the last six months, we have seen a rise in TRPs which means more and more people are connecting with the show.The main thing is that we do not believe in sensationalizing it. Its not like oh my god ! what is this? Its more of a genuine approach that comes across very strongly in every episode. People have noticed and realised that we are not making a hungama or sensationalizing Crime, neither are we glorifying it.

The purpose of the show is to make people aware as to what is happening around them, within the society and through the show we want to convey to our viewers that little precaution is necessary. The cases and  stories  we choose are directly related to common people. Recently we showed a case about a domestic help killing the employer just for the sake of money. The approach behind showing that particular crime story is to make people cautious, since dometic helps these days are an integral part of our life style and we can’t do without them. However don’t push them to do something that will cause harm to you as they belong to a sector where things are a lot more valuable to them. Jo cheez hamare liye 10 rupaye ka hai, shayad unke liye woh 100 rupaye ka ho. Apne paison ko leke thoda clear rahe.”

Infact 99%  of the crimes are committed by individuals who don’t have a criminal background. We have cases where a man works in an IT company, who has done M.Tech or B.Tech, but has gone about killing someone.

Crime Patrol, has definitely made me more sensitive to my sorroundings. I’m the kind of person who gets very deeply involved with whatever I do. There are times when I am shocked with the kind of cases I get to see and hear, and it stays with me for a good couple of days till I go and shoot the next case. We have brilliant writers and a great research team who are very thorough while writing the screenplay. Itna detail mein likhtey hai ki woh cheez dramatised hoti hai purposefully. When we get a case, we get a storyline. Par usko jab screen play mein dhaaltey hai, toh kai cheezon ko enhance kiya jaata hai. Jo dialogues hum likhtey hai, we are not even sure ki woh dialogues bole gaye they ya nahi. The idea of writing those dialogues is not to create masala but to convey the right message to the audience. As soon as I get the script I involve myself completely in it. When shooting, I do try to improvise the script and bring in something more on board from my end. I don’t do anything without the permission of my Director, but they know if I want to add something, it will only be for the benefit of the show. Being a part of the society, I feel I should say a little more than what is scripted.

We do travel a lot, but not regularly. We also travel to cities where cases have happened and do interact with victim’s family. But now we have cut down on that unless the need comes across very strongly.

As an actor, you plan so many things, but not all things happen the way you want. I always had the desire to anchor a show but was not sure what kind of show would suit my personality. But when Crime Patrol happened, I knew this is what I exactly wanted to do.” ~ Anup Soni



Rangmunch.TV, through this article would like to request all its readers to beware of one’s surroundings. Its very difficult to delve into people’s minds and judge their intentions correctly at all times. Along with Anup Soni, we at Rangmunch.TV would also like to reiterate the fact that a little precaution can save us and our loved ones from a  catastrophe.

Chaukanna Rahiye, Khush Rahiye!!!

Interviewed by:
Swati Ghosh
Niharika Vidya Sagar


Edited by:
Navyanka Varma
Swati Ghosh


Rangmunch.TV