Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; July 31, 2020)

She played the demure Akshara on TV for eight years and then, Bigg Boss happened. The reality show gave us a glimpse into what the real Hina Khan was all about. Along with her straightforwardness, her style quotient, too, came to the fore. Thereafter, one saw a different Hina, who even walked the red carpet at Cannes — a rare opportunity for TV actors. She has often expressed that she has “big dreams” for herself. In a candid chat with BT, the actress, who made her Bollywood debut with Hacked this year, spoke about her journey, how challenging it is for TV actors to break into the world of cinema, and what has prompted her to play the new naagin on the small screen. Excerpts...

You are all set to return to television with Naagin...
Actually, I was focussing more on films and digital shows, and it was all going well. I even had two releases (on OTT platforms) during the Coronavirus lockdown, while talks are on for other projects. But then, Ekta Kapoor came into my life and dropped the bomb! She is not someone who will ask you whether you want to play this role, she just tells you (laughs!). On a serious note, we share a great rapport and I am doing a web show for her, too. When she mentioned Naagin to me, I told her that I didn’t want to do television, but she said that it’s just for one season, and I could do it for some time.

What do you think about the current content on Indian television?
As a viewer, I don’t watch much TV, because honestly, the content does not interest me. Unfortunately, what we have on television is regressive, it’s not empowering. It’s sad when women are insulted and treated badly, and such shows are watched and also liked by people. We had some good content over 20 years ago, some good comedies and shows like Buniyaad, but those won’t work today. So, I don’t know where we are headed.

But, even you have been a part of daily soaps like Kasautii Zindagii Kay You also played Akshara for eight years on TV...
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai was my first show, where I played Akshara for eight years. She gets married, and initially, has to cover her head with a pallu and do a lot of things in her sasural. But, gradually, things change for her. So, somewhere, we were promoting the fact that women should not be caged. In many ways, it was empowering.

Would you agree that participating in Bigg Boss two years ago was a turning point in your career?
Absolutely, my real side came out. No one is flawless and I am happy that when I came out of the Bigg Boss house, people could relate to me. My fashion sense was appreciated, and viewers were surprised by it, because they had seen me in a particular get-up for years. That really changed the game for me.

Did you have any regrets when you came out of the house, perhaps, with the way the audience perceived you?
Not at all. Even people who didn’t like me at that time, apologised later. It’s a reality show and a well-edited one. They have no personal dushmani with anyone; whoever sells in whichever light, they keep on showing that. Not that I haven’t made mistakes, everyone has. It’s just about what they want to present to the audience. And, eventually, once you are out, your real side is seen.

Post Bigg Boss, are you happy with the way your career has shaped up?
There is a lot more to explore. I have big dreams and I am working towards them, too. I try taking up a variety of projects, so that people see me in a different light as an actor. I have been pretty lucky, and I’m glad that I am doing good work in different mediums. But sometimes, I feel that if I get more opportunities, it will help people notice what I am capable of as an actor.

Do you feel that even today, it’s tough for TV actors to break into the film industry?
Of course, it is difficult. Forget about work, television actors are not even considered when it comes to donning an outfit for a big designer. For me, things have changed because I went to Cannes (in 2019), and I am in touch with a lot of top designers. But usse pehle aisa nahin hota tha. Even to walk the red carpet there, I went through a struggle. Some feel TV actors utne professional nahin hote hain, but I don’t think they should be judged that way. If I had got big opportunities, even I would have done something magical by now, and would have been holding a Filmfare Award in my hand.

Dheeraj Dhoopar to play a shape-shifting serpent in the upcoming season of the TV series which goes on floors in a few days
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 25, 2020)

Ekta Kapoor’s TV series Naagin has been delivering a new story involving mysterious shape-shifting serpent-women every year since 2015. However, like everything else in 2020, the show’s fourth season had to stop abruptly after the industry-wide shutdown and eventual lockdown due to Coronavirus was imposed across the country. With shoots resuming now as a part of Unlock 1, the show will return on air for the remaining four episodes and by the time the season concludes in mid-August, the makers will unveil Season 5, which will go on the floors over the next few days.

Mirror has learned that Dheeraj Dhoopar, who graduated from Sasural Simar Ka to Kundali Bhagya, in which he currently plays a flamboyant cricketer Karan Luthra, has been roped in as one of the serpents. “Naagin has emerged as a big brand and I didn’t think twice before giving my nod. I am a fan of the hot Naagin ladies... my favourite part of the show is watching them dance,” he chuckles.

And will he shake a leg too? “I hope so, it will be a dream come true,” says Dheeraj, adding that his actress-wife, Vinny Arora, too, is kicked about watching him metamorphose into a shapeshifting reptile. “It’s going to be challenging because I have only played normal, human characters till now. Also, for a VFX-heavy show like Naagin, you have to pretend act with props, which are later enhanced or replaced on the edit table, so that will be new,” he points out.

The actor has already begun the prep required to make the transition. “Since I have a lean frame, I won’t have to work much on my physical appearance. But since I will be shooting for the two shows simultaneously, I’ll have to be conscious to ensure my body language is distinctly different. I am watching a lot of films from the era too,” he shares.

The show has, in its past seasons, featured Mouni Roy, Sudha Chandran, Aashka Goradia, Karishma Tanna, Surbhi Jyoti, Rakshanda Khan, Anita Hassanandani, Nia Sharma, Rashmi Desai, Jasmin Bhasin and Sayantani Ghosh. Buzz is, Hina Khan will be one of the main Naagins in the upcoming season and that Dheeraj will be playing a negative role. The actor insists he is unaware of the details. “I trust the production house implicitly and I love Ekta; whatever I am is because of her. So far, I have not been informed about who else will be a part of the show or even the arc of my character. It will all unfold as we go along. I am looking forward to the shoot,” he concludes.

IFTPC's J D Majethia discusses how Film City has begun approving the shoot of telly offerings, as per the new protocol
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 18, 2020)

On May 31, the state government greenlit the resumption of film, television and OTT shoots, highlighting that as per the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), producers who wish to conduct shoots within the city will have to seek permission from the managing director of Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation (Film City). Almost three weeks since, the Film City set the ball rolling as it gave a go-ahead to several television shows, including Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, Naagin 5, Choti Sarrdaarni and Barrister Babu.

J D Majethia, chairman, television & web, Indian Film & Television Producers' Council (IFTPC), shares, "Film City is granting permission gradually and ensuring that protocols are being followed. The permission for those wanting to shoot outside Film City will start coming in soon."

The actor adds that the makers of the five daily soaps had sent their appeal in the first week of June and were granted approval in the past two days. "Once you procure the permission, you can start shooting any time. The makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah should get an approval soon. The shows should start rolling in a week'."

It will be a while before Majethia can begin filming his series, Bhakarwadi, which is shot at a set in Mira Road. "[As per the SOPs], we need permission from the district collector. We are waiting to hear from his office."