An Institution in Herself - Surekha Sikri!

Surekha Sikri, an alumni from National School of Drama and two times National Award Winner,  has carved a niche for herself both on Television and Silver Screen with powerful roles and impactful acting.

With her brilliant portrayal of characters in films like Tamas, Mammo, Zubeida, Sardari Begum, she has time and again proved that she is not only VERSATILE but is a BORN actor. Her role in Banegi Apni Baat on Zee TV is fondly remembered by audiences even today.

Last three years her character as Dadisa in Balika Vadhu has become extremely popular and a household name. When we met Anandi’s Dadisa aka Surekhaji on the sets of Balika Vadhu, we were awestruck with her humble and down to earth attitude. Believe it or not, its just not us who are in awe of her, but every co-star of Balika Vadhu including the Director himself is completely smitten by Surekha Sikri, the Actor.

Rangmunch.TV brings to you some of the comments straight from the cast and crew of Balika Vadhu.

Siddharth Sengupta (Director): “The first time I was shooting with Surekhaji, I was very apprehensive. She is a University of Acting. Sometimes without uttering a single dialogue, just her mere presence and the way she looks, enhances the entire scene. She gives acting tips to her co-actors.

I have worked for nearly 15 years in this industry and with almost 5000 actors, most of them very good actors. I have even worked with Seema Biswas but she has been the best so far. There is a difference between dedication and devotion. She is devoted to acting. She does her homework. I have not seen this kind of homework being done by anyone. You take all the actors on one side and keep Surekha Sekhri on the other side, that is the equation. I have not worked with anyone like Surekhaji. What she does on screen is magic. You have to explain what the scene is and then after ten minutes, she comes to perform and you see magic on screen.

Balika Vadhu wouldn’t be the same without Surekhaji. It is an honor to work with her. She is somebody you can learn from.”

Anup Soni (Bhairav Singh): “Surekhaji is too senior to me. So when I and Satyajit joined National School of Drama Delhi, we did hear about her. But this is the first time I am working with her, and I can vouch that one can see a mark difference in the way she performs vis-a-vis those in other shows. Its actors like Surekhaji who have given variety to audience in terms of acting and have made them realise that what they have been watching on other shows is not the ultimate acting. Also her presence has enhanced the performances of all the new comers who have joined this show. I strongly believe that when you are in the company of brilliant actors, you will always perform good, provided you are eager to learn and grow.”

Shashank Vyas (Jagiya): “To be honest I was not happy when I got selected to play the lead role in Balika Vadhu. I was extremely nervous since it was already a very popular show and was worried as to how I would perform before such Veteran actors who are former students of National School of Drama. I still remember, when I came to the set, the first person I met was Surekhaji. I touched her feet and asked for her blessings and she very humbly said “ok do it, all the best. Set pe miltey hai (will meet on the set).”

This place is nothing less than an academy for me where I get to learn the nuances of acting and emoting on a daily basis, which further helps me to be a better actor. I really feel blessed to get Balika Vadhu at such an early stage of my career.”

Pratyusha Banerjee (Anandi): “Surekhaji is a sweetheart. She has mood swings but is the best person to work with. When doing scenes with her I have to ensure that I give it my best inorder to match up to her calibre and to get noticed.”

Neha Marda (Gehna): “It was a privilege to share the screen with Surekhaji. Even if the scene is not hers, she always walks away with the cake and the cherry at all times with her mere presence. Even without saying a single dialogue, and with expressions alone she does miracle. I really feel blessed for getting an opportunity to do Balika Vadhu and I would like to thank Surekhaji for being so supportive and positive while doing the scenes. Its been an amazing journey so far working with her and as everyone says, “she is an institution in herself” holds true.”


Having heard such delightful things about her from her co-stars and people who have worked with her, we are more than happy to have got a chance to  meet her and spend some time around her! Rangmunch.TV takes it as a privilege to be publishing this write up for its fans. 

Interviewed & edited  by:

Swati Ghosh &

Niharika Vidya Sagar 

Hawan: Divine Beginning

The calm smile , the soothing eyes and and  the aura around  him makes Baapji  the Godly saint that he is . He is a person who believes in goodness  in human and somehow  connects  with his devotees through his mind and heart. The story  in Hawan so far has shown Baapji as a supreme power who with his touch can turn bad to good. Baapji  with his subtle sayings has managed to win  the hearts of people and restore the faith in humanity..Presently  he is  on a mission to get his son  Atharva (played by Kunal Verma)  and his devotee Aastha  (played by Shrenu Parikh) to bond in holy matrimony . The beauty with which he did has  left me spell bound. When  Atharva’s pranks  and jokes hurt Aastha , it is Baapji  who with his soothing vaani  tells   Chaturvedi ji  that a beautiful relationship has begun  to blossom. When you think that things cant be improved and have been messed up beyond repair  , it is  then , that  faith plays an important role.

The ease with which Atharva tells Aastha the truth about himself completely left me wanting for more. The scenes further between the leads have been so well enacted that it reminded me of movie  “Vivaah “.The innocent beginning  of  love between Atharva  and Aastha is all similar to Prem and Poonam’s  in Vivah . Atharva  telling Aastha to put mehendi on her palm in case she misses him, and further  giving her a mobile so that can talk to each other  whenever  they want too shows how deeply Atharva  has fallen in love with  Aastha.  Aastha  on the other hand  with her coyness  and innocence  reciprocates  each look, each touch with warmth and love.

The waiting period  between the leads  or rather the courtship as we can safely say  has  now started . One must applaud Rajan Shahi for beautifully weaving in the fresh love  story between Atharva and Aastha with Baapji supporting  them. The way he has intermingled new relationship with divine beauty leaves you craving for more.The enchanting and mesmerizing  background score only makes it better.

Looking forward to a lovely beginning   between Atharva, Aastha and Baapji .

Navyanka

Rangmunch.tv

Happy Birthday Soumya Seth!!!!

If you think, Navya is sweet, you must meet Soumya to know why it is so! Soumya inherently is a warm friendly person who makes friends with great ease. At least thats what we felt when we met her for the first time. Soumya totally loves chocolates and she can trade anything in the world for them! She is as connected to her family as the character in the show is. She has best friends like Appy and Ritz in her real life too. 

Today as Soumya celebrates her birthday, we would like to wish her the best of health, wealth, happiness, luck, love and work in abundance. 

We called Soumya to wish her on behalf of Rangmunch.TV, and that is when we got to know she has taken a couple of days off and is out to town. Like any other girl her age, who loves celebrating birthdays and hanging out with friends, Soumya is doing just that today. 

We hope you have a great day and rocking year ahead Soumya! Happy Birthday once again! Come join in and wish Soumya a very Happy Birthday! 

Niharika Vidya Sagar

Rangmunch.TV

News Bar: The Week Back and Forth...

Saas Bina Sasuraal(SONY TV)

With Tej wanting to start his own shop, and Toasty not very approving of the same against his own family, will we see another rift in the household? Chedi agrees to the offer, and tells him he will give him a place to set up the business, but will not help him financially. Tej on the other hand is confident he will be able to make it on his own. Will he be? We will know soon.

Kuch to Log Kahenge (SONY TV)

Was Dr.Ashutosh's tie landing in Nidhi's hands a stroke of destiny? Is this a hint that their lives are now intertwined with one another. It would be interesting to watch how their paths cross yet again. Unknowingly something has sparked the flame off between Nidhi and Ashutosh, and we know Nidhi has to eventually come back. How else is her heart going to echo Saiyan Naino ki Bhasha Samjhey na yet again...

Is Pyar Ko... Kya Naam Doon? (Star Plus)

With Shyam trying to kill Shashi, since he now knows the former is married, the story has taken an interesting turn. Unknown to Shyam, his threat is more from his own brother-in-law, who has slowly started feeling something for Khushi.In the week that went by, we saw how both these men, proved they can go to any lengths for the woman they love! The pre-cap has promised a hug between Arnav and Khushi. We only hope it doesn't turn out to be a dream and we also pray Babuji shows Shyam's true face to the world!

Navya (Star Plus)

Anant and Navya are now engaged, and they find themselves in a totally new awkward world. They are the same, but the circumstances around them might change. With Navya fasting for Anant, she has already started following the duties of a wife to be. With the marriage process expedited, will all be well in Anant and Navyá's world?

While we are at it, we would like to wish Soumya Seth aka Navya a very Happy Birthday from Rangmunch !

Humse Hai Liife (Channel V)

With the revelation that Sia indeed is the she boxer that Raghav has been wanting to know of, all these days, and a lot tension building up post the mobile phone stealing fiasco, this indeed is an interesting week ahead for Humse Hai Liife. Coach, is brutal, and Sia doesn't get to know why, and the rest of the students around her don't help either. How will Sia cope with the Elite's this week?

Dhoond Legi Manzil Humein (Star One)

StarOne's Dhoond Legi Manzil Hume wrapped up last friday, with Chander returning leaving Alka elated. The show started off as the journey of Alka from not wanting to embrace politics to becoming a leader eventually. Her lover Chander, whom she presumes to be dead until the last episode, also is instrumental in her journey, in making her who she is. With the story wrapping up, we would like to congratulate the entire team for making an effort in attempting something that was totally of a different genre.

Compiled by:

Niharika Vidya Sagar

Rangmunch.TV

Kareena Kapoor says NO to RED!!!

Well, Kareena Kapoor who was present for the shoot of Diwali Rishton Ki Mithas on STAR Plus refused to wear a shiny, blood-red sari for the event that will be aired on 21^st and 22^nd October at 8 pm. 

Wondering what made her angry or was she too shy? Well, she was neither angry nor shy. Humble Kareena reasoned that her beau Saif Ali Khan's dad Nawab Pataudi has recently passed away, and it would be extremely insensitive on her part to dress up in bright colours for a public event. Therefore, she asked the Designer working on her costume to choose more subtle and light colours. 

Now we know what makes Bebo so lovable, and why our Chote Nawab, Saif Ali Khan is Kurbaan on her.

So catch the gorgeous yet simple Kareena on Diwali Rishton Ki Mithas on 21^st & 22^nd October at 8 pm only on STAR Plus!

Edited by:

Swati Ghosh 

Rangmunch.TV

Wish a star: Happy Birthday Rajeev Khandelwal

It takes him less than 10 seconds to make any woman go weak in her knees! He has made a name and a mark for himself both in the TV and Movie industry. With an unconventional debut Aamir behind him and a more recent Soundtrack to follow up, after a hit TV series like Kahin Toh Hoga where he had women of all ages go gaga over him, Rajeev Khandelwal is all set to blaze up the screens with the second season of Sach Ka Saamna on StarOne.

Rajeev celebrates his birthday today and we at Rangmunch take this opportunity to wish the star a very happy year ahead!

Niharika Vidya Sagar

Rangmunch.TV

Anjali an anti-thesis of Arnav: will tables turn?

She has been a loving sister, an obedient, dutiful and daughter of the household and most importantly an understanding and caring wife. Everyone who meets Anjali on Iss Pyaar ko kya Naam Doon? falls in love with her sweetness, simplicity and her accommodating nature.  She has been that string that has held the entire Raizada family together. Arnav totally dotes on her and treats her as a mother figure, and someone who is an indispensable part of his life. Anjali also shares a wonderful rapport with Khushi and Payal. 

She has been shown as a religious person, with immense faith in god and things around her. So the question arises, what will happen when the world around her changes, since its most likely to happen in the days to come. Anjali has shown so much faith in husband Shyam and what his says and does, that your heart goes out to her when you think of what he is doing behind her back. Anjali is that one factor that binds almost every character on the show to another, so much so that the other day when Payal was hurt, she actually was strong willed enough to go against her own mami and tell her she was wrong! The subtle yet strong actions from time and again is what makes Anjali a true sister to ASR in every respect! Don't forget she was the very same girl who struck a deal with Khushi, when it came to working in their house!

Having said all this, in my opinion, Anjali is one such character that has the makings of a person that can undergo a total sea change! If we look at the current scenario, she has realized Khushi is that one person who can influence Arnav's life. Anjali may even be smart enough to gauge there is more than what meets the eye! She may encourage it too knowing fully well, this could be a road to her brother's happiness. She will leave no stone unturned to find the key to her brother's heart! 

What will happen however, when she learns this very Khushi has been the reason for her marital turmoil that she has been blissfully unaware of? They say, a known devil is better than an unknown angel. Anjali loves her husband to death, but is totally oblivious to the occurances and the feelings of his heart ! The amount of faith she has in him, could also for a moment lead her to believe he cannot possibly be wrong! Love loves denial and make belief realities and Anjali has every reason to blame Khushi for the same, if Shyam pushes the blame on Khushi to save his face!

However, a thought that has been playing in my head for a while, asks ... What if tables turn? We know Arnav is a cold, brutal cynical man who has no faith, trust or belief in anyone. This however is now perhaps slowly changing with Khushi gradually making her way into his heart. There could be a day, in the near future when he starts to give life a chance again and live it the way it needs to be lead. He may start smiling more, giving more, loving more! At this point in time, what if Anjali learns, her husband has been cheating on her without knowing who the woman is? She may start to hate Khushi anyway, knowingly and unknowingly! One, for having lost her brother's attention and affection to another woman, and two for being that unknown other woman in her husbands life! Would this lead to Anjali turning into another ASR while the sibling dons the role of an Anjali? Sounds too drastic doesn't it? Well, I don't know ! With whatever little I have gathered of Anjali, and how the story primarily focuses on how much she means to Arnav, and how much Shyam means to her, I am only forced to believe, anything changing drastically in their world could change Anjali as a whole! 

We know the worst is on its way, and hope she as a character gets the strength to handle this tsunami and portray consistency in character. After all, no one wants to see people losing faith in humanity, relationships and optimism! You just stop living then right?

These two indeed are perfect brother and sister and their characters have been etched with extreme depth and they have been interwoven with one another to the minutest of detail!

Niharika Vidya Sagar

Rangmunch.TV