Rupal Patel is returning as Kokila Modi with the second season of the daily soap; makers eyeing a Navratri launch
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 14, 2020)

Mirror (August 28) was the first to report that Rashmi Sharma’s Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (SNS) is making a comeback with a second season on Star Plus. Since then, there have been speculations that Rupal Patel, who played the strict mother-in-law Kokila Modi, was being replaced. “There cannot be SNS 2 without its Koki,” asserts Rupal, confirming her return.

Pointing out that usually in saasbahu soaps, the mother-in-law is either a negative character or completely supportive, Rupal reminds you that Kokila is a righteous lady who never differentiates between her daughters-in-law, much like her. “Of course, I’m a lot more flexible and fun. But even today, young girls tell me that they want a mother-in-law like Koki,” she laughs.

She is currently also working in Rajan Shahi’s Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke. Isn’t she worried about managing two shows simultaneously during the pandemic? “I couldn’t sleep the night I was approached for SNS 2 as I prefer doing one show at a time,” Rupal admits. “But the channel, Rajan sir and Rashmi ma’am have assured me that we will figure out a way to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly.”

Recently, Kokila Modi entered households again, across the country, through a viral video, “Rasode Mein Kaun Tha?” by online creator Yashraj Mukhate. Rupal, who isn’t there on social media, informs that her sister-in-law from Delhi sent her the video. “Till I saw Yashraj ji’s face, I was in shock because I was sure I hadn’t said the dialogue that way. But eventually, I was delighted and proud, and so was my family. And I felt that if a youngster had taken interest in my work and made it popular again, I had to congratulate him personally,” she shares, adding that she has watched the video multiple times after that.

Apart from Rupal and Devoleena Bhattacharjee, who plays Gopi, her daughter-in-law, Mohammad Nazim is also returning as Ahem Modi. “With many shows coming up with a second season, my family and I were waiting for SNS to carry forward its story. And as soon as the makers approached me, I said ‘yes’. SNS made 7 pm a primetime slot,” Nazim reminisces, believing that it’s the audience’s demand that has brought Koki and Gopi back. “From the Parliament to Bollywood, everyone including Kartik Aaryan and Akshay Kumar, have been enquiring, ‘Rasode Mein Kaun Tha?’,” he laughs. Rupal admits that she hasn’t been in touch with her SNS family since the show ended three years ago, but is excited to reunite with them. “Krishna Bhagwan ki saugandh, if season 2 is not a superhit, mera naam bhi Kokila Modi nahin,” she channels her inner Kokila.

A source close to the development reveals that the makers want a Navratri week launch for the upcoming season.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 28, 2018)

Last year, news of Salman Khan’s first TV production on the life of wrestler Ghulam Mohammed aka the Great Gama had surfaced. Now, Mirror has learnt the show will go on floors in the next few months with Sohail Khan playing the protagonist and TV star Mohammad Nazim of the daily soap Saath Nibhaana Saathiya fame as his brother Imam Baksh.

Gama was born in the village of Jabbowal in Punjab into an ethnic Kashmiri family of wrestlers. He was noticed at the age of 10 when he entered a strongman competition held in Jodhpur. The contest was attended by more than 400 wrestlers and Gama, who was among the last 15, was named the winner by the Maharaja of Jodhpur because he was the youngest. He was subsequently trained by the Maharaja of Datia. He arrived in the UK in April 1910 with two other wrestlers, Ahmed Bux and Gama to participate in the European catch wrestling tournaments.

In a career spanning five decades, he was undefeated. A source associated with the project reveals that it is expected to be a big budget finite series and Puneet Issar is writing and directing the show. “The team shot the pilot last year in Patiala and the Star Plus loved it. Now, the show’s team is sorting out the actors’ dates and working out the logistics. They plan to shoot it like a film in Punjab, on a set in Mumbai and at some stadiums in London,” adds the source.