Rohit Shetty’s stunt-based show will draw to a close this weekend; the final episodes were shot at Film City on Tuesday
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 23, 2020)

Six months after its launch, Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 10, is getting ready to bring the curtains down with its finale.

The Colors’ action reality show had come to an abrupt stop a month after going on air on February 22, following the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown. It resumed telecast from June 27 and instantly rocketed to the top of the charts. On Tuesday, Rohit Shetty and his daredevils reunited at a Film City studio to shoot the finale. Apart from the finalists—TV actors Karan Patel and Karishma Tanna and actor-choreographer Dharmesh Yelande—all the contestants eliminated earlier were also present.

After testing their grit, guts and never-say-die spirit through these last few months with death-defying stunts in Bulgaria, Rohit decided to assess the contestants’ lockdown skills and special tasks were designed for them to demonstrate their newfound prowess. Karan, who became a dad on December 14 last year, was given a test baby in co-contestant Shivin Narang and instructed to demonstrate his diaper changing skills.

Dharmesh, who claimed he had become a pro as a hairstylist while cooped up at home, was asked to showcase his just-discovered talent on Amruta Khanvilkar’s tresses. The actress was horrified when she learnt what kind of hair treatment she was to receive till it was revealed to be a prank.

The fearless brigade for this season also included actresses Rani Chatterjee, Tejasswi Prakash and Adaa Khan, actor-comedian Balraj Syal and RJ Malishka. To up the entertainment quotient, actor-friends Rithvik Dhanjani and Karan Wahi, who had featured in Season 8, returned for the award-presentation. Karan got an award for aborting stunts while Tejasswi was adjudged ‘Teja Ka Bheja Fry’ for attempting all the tasks with strength and determination. Karishma was declared the ‘Student of the Year’ and her season-long love story with a gorilla made for a nostalgic memory.

Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 finale will air this Saturday and Sunday. The winner of last season was actor-choreographer Punit Pathak, with singer-TV host Aditya Narayan and model-actress Ridhima Pandit as the runners-up.


Dharmesh Yelande: Hair, there, everywhere

Television actor Shivin Narang's Malad building sealed after resident tests COVID-19 positive, says current situation poses a difficulty for senior citizens
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; April 6, 2020)

The past few days have been fraught with anxiety for television actor Shivin Narang — the highrise near Infiniti Mall in Malad west, where he resides, has been identified as a containment zone by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). On Thursday, after one of the residents with a recent history of foreign travel tested positive for Coronavirus, the BMC officials swung into action and sealed the residential complex that consists of six buildings.

Narang, who lives with his parents, says, "The buildings were sealed on Thursday. We have no choice but to adhere to the guidelines. Residents have been told not to step out to buy essentials; we can place orders online or ask for home delivery. The essentials are being dropped at the main gate and we have to pick them up from there." Sakshi Tanwar is among the many small screen stars who stay at the Malad address.

Narang, who was part of the latest instalment of Khatron Ke Khiladi, believes that such extreme actions are necessary in the face of the crisis. However, the actor points out that the current situation may pose difficulty for senior citizens in the buildings. "It is a tough task for senior citizens as it is a huge complex, and they have to walk almost half a kilometre to reach the entrance and pick up their supplies. But we are all following the rules. Everyone has to cooperate to stop the spread of the virus."

The unexpected shutdown has left producers with a lean bank of show episodes; new launches cancelled, but makers promise daily wage workers won’t suffer
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2020)

In the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak, various associations governing the film and television industry in India issued a directive halting production from Thursday, March 19, to Tuesday, March 31. Even though this is seen as a ‘for the time being’ measure, the TV fraternity is bracing for tough times ahead.

“A decade ago, producers would have a bank of episodes in the eventuality of work coming to a halt on a show. But today, when the narrative has to keep changing depending on the ratings, it’s not possible to bank episodes for more than a week,” points out an industry veteran, adding that if the unexpected shutdown continues beyond the month-end, channels will have no option but to re-run old episodes till things return to normal.

Benaifer Kohli, the producer of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain! and Happu Ki Ultan Pultan, is realistic when she says, “A number of countries across the world have reached the third stage, we haven’t. If India is able to flatten the curve, it will take a fortnight to get back into the groove. Right now, work is the last of my concerns. If people don’t live, how will they work? We must ensure that everyone is protected. Even my spot boy can contact me at any time if he needs help. Prevention is the only cure and in such a situation, it’s not about me or you but about us as one. We as Indians have overcome the biggest calamities and I’m sure we will this time too.”

Rajan Shahi was to launch his new show, Anupama, last Monday, March 16. A day before, along with the channel, Star Plus, he took the call to cancel the launch. The producer-director whose other shows, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (YRKKH) and Yeh Rishte Hain Pyaar Ke (YRHPK), are on air on the same channel, informs that the new one was slotted for 9 pm, followed by YRKKH and YRHPK. “But now we will continue broadcasting the ongoing shows with fresh content. But since we don’t have a large bank, we have fresh content only till next week. We will take stock of the situation next Monday (March 30). Even though we have footage, we could edit only till Thursday (March 19) after which I had to close my office due to the shut down. I won’t be able to get any more editing done till March 31, going by the present directive,” he sighs.

Given the pressure of delivering daily content, several production crews were working frantically till the last hour. Meera Deosthale (right), the leading lady of Vidya, shares, “In the last few days, we have shot as much extra footage as possible, with three teams shooting at three locations simultaneously. The producers and the channel ensured we had a doctor on each set, in case anyone had cough, cold or fever. The necessary precautions and the importance of hygiene was explained and we were given sanitisers and masks. Now, we’ve been told to stay at home and avoid travel after work halted on Thursday.”

Given that daily wage earners in production are the worst hit, producer Mahesh Pandey has paid advance wages and ensured that every worker has been given a substantial amount of ration to tide over the tough phase.

Actors, too, are extending their support to their staff, from drivers and spot boys to hair stylists and make-up artists. “Why should daily wage earners face problems if work is halted for no fault of theirs?” asserts Beyhadh 2 (left) actor Shivin Narang. “If I take a break from work, I can’t shirk the responsibility of paying my staff’s salaries. Considering this is a pandemic, we must stand by our people.”

Reality shows are badly hit as well. Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, which was launched last month, has run into rough weather. An inside source tells us that the show, on which Paras Chhabra and Shehnaaz Gill were looking to find suitable partners for themselves, has been stalled.

With people cooped up indoors and most shows running without a bank, viewers may soon have to make do with re-runs. “Even Bigg Boss (Season 13) will be aired again for a while. The situation is changing daily and with the government sparing no efforts in trying to control its spread of the virus, we will take stock of the situation on March 30,” admitted the source, reiterating that the paramount concern was not monetary losses, which will run into crores, but the safety and well-being of the team.

“From broadcasters, producers and directors to actors, technicians and unit members, we’re all in this together and doing our bit to help. The industry’s spirit always reinforces itself during a crisis,” Rajan Shahi avers. Manish Goswami (right), vice-president of the Film & TV Producers Guild of India that has initiated a relief fund for daily wage workers, says, “At present our priority is to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread, the next 10 days are crucial. The Guild has initiated a fund for the workers and we’re appealing to the fraternity to come forward and help. Once we collect a substantial amount, we will start disbursing the money to the workers.”


Rupali Ganguly and Sudhanshu Pandey in Anupama, the launch of which was cancelled a day before it went on air

Filmmaker is gearing up for sixth turn as host of an adventure-based reality show, which is scheduled to go on air towards February-end
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 22, 2020)

Rohit Shetty is all set to follow up the extended 13th edition of Bigg Boss with the 10th season of Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK). The action-based reality show, is set in Bulgaria this time and will see the filmmaker return as host for the fifth time. With the new theme, “Darr Ki University”, KKK will premiere a week after the BB13 finale in February-end with a new set of celebrity contestants.

The upcoming season’s line-up includes TV actors Karan Patel, Adaa Khan, Shivin Narang and Tejasswi Prakash, actress Amruta Khanvilkar (who will be seen next in Mohit Suri’s Malang) and dancer Dharmesh Yelande (who features in Remo D’souza’s Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Nora Fatehi-starrer Street Dancer 3D) among others. Naagin 3 actress Karishma Tanna, who is also one of the contestants in the upcoming season, says, “The makers had been approaching me since the last four years. This time I felt like I should give it a shot since they have been consistent throughout.”

She goes on to praise the host, saying, “Rohit was our teacher (during the shoot) and so considerate towards everyone. It took him just one episode to get familiar with us and we were like buddies after that. If not his favourite, I was at least one of his good students.”

While Karishma doesn’t have any phobias, she admits breathing underwater was challenging. “I was scared that I wouldn’t find the keys to the container and drown,” she reminisces, adding that while she enjoyed the stint, she won’t do any more shows which involved so much physical work.

The actor talks about playing an older character in his upcoming show
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; September 26, 2019)

Actor Ashish Chowdhry is the latest to join the cast of the second season of Beyhadh, after Jennifer Winget and Shivin Narang.

The arc of his character is such that he will start off as a young father and age during the course of the show. However, he isn’t worried about ageing on screen. Ashish shares, “I agree that it is completely Jenny’s (Jennifer) show. However, that’s not the approach I want to have towards my career — that I will play only titular characters and should be the solo lead; the role should be creatively satisfying, that’s all. Truly fulfilling performances are the ones that come with stepping out of comfort zones and doing something out of the box, which I am doing with this show. I don’t want to repeat myself, as it tends to get boring.”

Ask him if he has any qualms about playing dad to a grown-up actor like Shivin, and he replies, “I have no qualms about ageing on screen. I will play a cupboard if it is challenging enough. Many actors have played fathers to costars their age, and been appreciated for it. On TV, I have the liberty to be selective, which isn’t the case with films. I was stuck in the comic zone and felt stagnated, but I can explore various shades on the small screen.”

We hear that the actor will sport a salt-and-pepper look on the show. Without divulging too much about his character, Ashish says, “Getting into looks is really fun, as it enhances one’s performance, too. I have had my warm-up and consider my new approach as the beginning of my career.”

Here’s a look at the other actors, who are likely to be a part of the reality show
BOMBAY TIMES (September 17, 2019)

For a long time now, speculations have been rife about Sidharth Shukla being a part of this season’s Bigg Boss, but nothing was confirmed. However, BT now has it that the actor will indeed be in the house this year.

Sidharth and the channel were in talks for the past few months, but he gave the final nod just a few days ago. Incidentally, actress Rashami Desai is also a part of Bigg Boss this year. Rashami and Sidharth were paired opposite each other on the fiction show Dil Se Dil Tak, which was on air a year ago, during which the two were linked. So, it will be interesting to see them together on this show.

Meanwhile, there’s buzz that actor Arhaan Khan, who Rashami has been dating for the past few months, may also be a part of this season, which will begin towards the end of the month.

Hosted by Salman Khan, the show will see only celebrity participants this year. Dalljiet Kaur, whose messy divorce with Shaleen Bhanot made headlines a couple of years ago, is among the list of participants, whose names have been confirmed.

While Arti Singh will be a part of the show, talks are on with Shivin Narang, who, we hear, is still contemplating between a fiction show and the reality show. Devoleena Bhattacharjee, best known as TV’s Gopi bahu, has also not signed the deal yet.

The other names doing the rounds were that of Chunky Panday, Zarine Khan, Mugdha Godse, Mahima Chaudhry and Rajpal Yadav, but there are no confirmations on these yet. Jasmin Bhasin, Paras Chhabra and Avika Gor were also being considered for the show.

Ridhi Dogra, who was almost confirmed, has reportedly opted out of this season.

Making her telly debut with Internet Wala Love, Minissha Lamba on how television is hardly a stepdown from films
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; September 11, 2018)

Has the switch from movies to television given you a new perspective?
It hasn't been as dramatic a shift. It's only when you are working on a big film project that you are pampered. If it's a small production, you are working on shoestring budgets. I was prepared for television because I had been warned by friends who had already explored the medium. They told me that I won't get any time to myself due to the hectic schedule. I am okay with my life being hectic.

For some, television is a stepdown from movies.
I don't care what notion people have about the medium. I was sure this is the right step for me. For me, work is work. It doesn't matter what medium it appears on. In a film, you have two-and-a-half hours to tell your story whereas on television, the story can go on for a year or more. That is probably the only difference.

Do you watch television in your free time?
I used to watch a lot of TV. I have been a fan of Diya Aur Baati Hum and Naagin. I love the concept of shape-shifting snakes. The glamour quotient on the show is so high. It's like our own story of mermaids or unicorns.

What made you give a nod to Internet Wala Love?
I play a glamorous lady boss who is professional, hardworking and strict, and expects the rest of the staff to follow suit. It's refreshing to be offered such a role because, more often than not, you have traditional roles coming your way. I can slip into traditional roles anytime in the future, but this was too interesting to let go off.

How was the experience of working with co-stars Shivin Narang and Tunisha Sharma?
People on the set are warm. It becomes a happy environment when you have like-minded people working with you. Shivin and Tunisha are hardworking and made great co-stars.

The show revolves around online dating. Do you think, in India, the concept of finding love online is met with apprehension?
Once people begin to own up that they've met people they could connect with, online, it will be great. Why should you be embarrassed about it? Finding love online is viable. We are so engrossed in our own lives that we hardly have the scope to meet new people. The digital world serves as a platform to find like-minded people. When we, as a society, embrace the idea, it will become an accepted fact, like it has in the West.

Since TV is based on TRP ratings, the storyline of shows are often changed to bring in numbers. Are you ready for that?
I am 100 per cent ready. Everyone wants their show to be a success. If the show is not working, it has to be altered. I can't put my foot down and say, don't change my character. It's unfair to ask people who have invested their money into the serial to do everything my way. In fact, I should be doing everything possible to make the series a success. If there is something I can do to course correct the show, I should do it.

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; July 30, 2015)