Esha Gupta seems to have cracked the code to achieving her dreams through the power of manifestation, or so she says while discussing her association with the show, Aashram. Gupta, who will play an image consultant to Bobby Deol’s Baba Nirala in the third season of the show, says, “I manifested it. I even told Prakash sir [Jha, creator] that when I saw Aashram during the lockdown, I wished I got the chance to be part of a show like that one. And I did!”

That she was an ardent admirer of the series made her appointment a “gift from the universe”, she says.

The show marks Gupta’s second association with Jha after Chakravyuh (2012). “I love working with Prakash sir, and troubling him. His name for me on Aashram’s set was aafat ki pudiya. I love it.”

Ask her if the process of working on a show is at odds with doing so for a film and she says, “The effort put in is at par. You only have to shoot more for a series than a film.”

If her limited screen appearances are an indication, Gupta seems to have been rather picky with her selections. “I just want to do as I please; love and live my life,” quips the actor, who will soon begin shooting for a psychological thriller film.

Bhopal: Bajrang Dal activists allegedly smeared ink on filmmaker Prakash Jha’s face and disrupted the shooting of the web series ‘Aashram 3’ in Bhopal on Sunday evening. They vandalised the set and damaged several vehicles, including lead actor Bobby Deol’s vanity van.

Four suspects were arrested late at night, DIG Irshad Wali told TOI, adding that all the culprits will be nabbed and strict action taken against them. No complaint had been filed till then.

The DIG said police can take action in cognizable offences without waiting for a complaint. A case under IPC 151 was registered at MP Nagar late at night. “No such incident will take place in the city in the future. All the crew members are safe,” Wali said, adding, “We are taking proper measures to keep the city safe from those who are trying to defame it.”

VHP-Bajrang Dal Madhya Prant spokesperson Jitendra Chouhan said the 'protest' was carried out by Bajrang Dal. “We demand that the government refuse permission for the shooting of films that hurt Hindu sentiments,” he said. The organisation issued a statement, saying it objects to the naming of the web series.

The incident occurred in Old Jail area in Arera Hills.

Around 50 alleged Bajrang Dal activists barged into the set, manhandled bouncers and also raised slogans against Jha and Bobby Deol, claiming that the web series “hurts Hindu sentiments”.

There was tension in the area and traffic was disrupted on the busy road. Senior police officers rushed to the spot and tried to defuse tension. Police used mild force to disperse the protesters, surrounded the area and forced the protesters out.

Shooting for the web series started in Bhopal last week. Hindu organisations have opposed it all along, saying it shows Hinduism in a bad light. They demand a total ban on its shoot in Bhopal and wanted the series to be renamed.