| Film Bytes |Close up| TV News |

'What's wrong with being the other woman?'
NEERU BAJWA, the pretty face from 'Astitva,' plays "the other woman" in the life of a married man. "The other woman needs love too... and to err is human," asserts Neeru, as she justifies what her character is doing in the serial. Whatever be the case, viewers will be seeing a lot of fireworks in future, predicts PREMA K. after a candid chat with Neeru.

Did you always want to become an actress?
I have been doing stage shows since the time I was seven. I even used to perform for myself when I was alone at home. I love transforming myself into someone else. Acting makes me happy - it pulls me out of a depressed mood. As long as I can remember, I have always harboured dreams of becoming an actress in India. I just want to act, be it films or television. I felt films would be a little difficult initially so I started with television. I am sure later films too will happen. Not many people know this but I played the second lead in Dev Anand's film, Main Solah Baras Ki. I was also the Ms. India Canada runner up in '99. Currently my serial Astitva is on air.

Tell us about your role in Astitva...
My character, Kiran, is introduced in the serial as Abhimanyu's assistant. She has come from abroad with the ambition of becoming a photographer. But she soon becomes his friend and confidante. Kiran even starts living at his parents' house as she has no place to live. Abhimanyu's mother encourages her affair with her son. Kiran is like the 'sunshine girl' in his life.

But isn't your character, Kiran, "the other woman" in Abhimanyu's life?
I would not categorise Kiran as "the other woman". She has always admired Abhimanyu and starts by being a good friend to him. Having married a much older woman, there are problems between Abhimanyu and his wife. He cannot have an active sexual life with her owing to her pregnancy. Of course, eventually Kiran falls in love with him. But that is natural when you admire someone.

What do you think of your character?
I like the character I am playing. There are no negative shades to Kiran. She is not someone who came into Abhimanyu's life with evil intentions. Kiran is a good-hearted person just like me! She is a girl from a broken family. And at 21 she is at a very vulnerable age. Abhimanyu is someone she idolizes and respects, and naturally she falls in love with him too.

What happens to your character in the serial?
When you love someone you want him to yourself and you want to spend as much time as possible with him. So obviously, in the serial, I want more out of the relationship as it progresses. That is where a certain amount of bitchiness creeps in. I start getting extremely possessive of him and we end up having many arguments. So the audience will be seeing lot of fireworks on screen in future (laughs).

Will the wife realize what is happening between the two of you?
Initially she thinks that we are good friends but eventually she finds out the truth.

Astitva created a hype initially by portraying the younger man-older woman relationship. But now it portrays the exact opposite! What do you think of this?
Initially, everything is hunky-dory in the early phase of the couple's relationship. But there is so much pressure from society as well as the family for both the man and woman involved in a relationship like this. Despite the fact that there is love between the two, there also has to be a lot of understanding. Each has to give what the other needs. In Astitva, Abhimanyu's wife was eager to have a baby while he felt that he was too young to handle that kind of responsibility. There is a communication gap between them. Even the age gap is evident. She has her own circle of older friends while he has his. What the makers have tried to show in Astitva is that either the woman has to compromise or the man has to grow up in a relationship like this. This kind of relationship works if both agree to meet mid-way.

What attracted you to your character in Astitva?
It is a challenging role. I felt that Kiran was a real character. I could also relate to her as I too have also come from Canada. I felt that there were many shades to her, which would give me an opportunity to perform. I am looking for roles with substance. I see women being mere sex objects on screen and I don't want to be one of those skimpily-clad glamorous dolls on television. I want to be able to look back and feel proud of the work that I have done.

Would you ever fall for a younger man?
Hmm... he would have to be very mature for me to fall in love with him. But I do not think I will take such a drastic step as marrying him. I think a woman always looks for an older man. Besides, women mature faster. So if I fall for a younger man, he definitely has to be beyond his years.

Are you worried about the casting couch in the film industry?
I have heard about it. That is the reason why I opted for television. I want to sharpen my acting skills and prove myself as an actress before trying for films.

What are your future plans?
I have been getting offers for more television serials, but I want to concentrate on Astitva right now. I do not want to work everyday of the month, as I like to enjoy my personal life too. I enjoy reading and watching films. I like to keep some time for myself... (smiles).

Mission to Mars!

Watch out for this sci-fi film on Star Movies

'Mission to Mars is the extra-ordinary story of the astronauts of the Mars Recovery Mission, the nearly insurmountable dangers that confront the heroic crew on their journey through space, and the amazing discovery they make when they reach Mars.

The year is 2020 and NASA has made another giant leap for mankind successfully landing a team of astronauts on the Red Planet - Mars. However shortly after their arrival on the Martian surface Mission Commander Luke Graham and his colleagues encounter something bizzare, shocking and chilling that brings about a catastrophic and mysterious disaster, which decimates the crew. Graham is able to send one hasty cryptic message back to Earth before his nightmare begins. And it is his enigmatic last communication that sends the astronauts from Earth on their recovery mission.

The aim of the rescue mission is to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors. Exciting and realistic, Mission to Mars, is an inspirational story and is a must see for all sci-fiction fans. Mission to Mars stars, Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle, Jerry O'Connell and Connie Nielsen and has been directed by Brian De Palma and produced by Tom Jacobson. So watch out for the premiere of this movie on Star Movies on Friday, April 18 at 9.00 p.m.

'Karisma ka karishma!'

BY VICKEY LALWANI

Ever since the time Bollywood's blue-eyed actress Karisma Kapoor announced her debut on the small screen, everyone has been waiting with eager anticipation for the serial to beign its telecast. The serial is called 'Karisma - The Miracle of Destiny!' and it has Karishma in a double role! This unique serial is being produced by Sheeba and Abu Shroff under the banner of Cinetek Telefilms for Sahara TV. And what is noteworthy about it is that along with Karisma Kapoor, it will also bring more film actors like Sanjay Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan, Arshad Warsi, Jugal Hansraj, Vikas Bhalla, Vijayraaz, Vishwajeet Pradhan, Aarti Awasti (of the latest Coke advertisement), Tiny Anand etc to the small screen.

Another added incentive for you to watch out for this soap is that it is being directed by Sidharth Sengupta and Talat Jani. It also stars stalwart tele-actors like Harsh Chaya, Uday Tikekar, Sheeba, Pawar Malhotra, Ayub Khan, Jayati Bhatia, Raju Kher, Dinyar Contractor, Resham Seth and Shahrukh Bharoocha.

There has always been a buzz around this serial. And the latest news about 'Karishma - the Miracle of Destiny' is that the makers of this serial have roped in Ghazal King Pankaj Udhas for an episode. This particular episode showcases the family of the protagonist celebrating the 65th birthday of Karisma. Karisma, who is doing a double role plays both the the mother and the daughter in the serial. How's that for paisa vasool!

The renowned singer makes a grand entry in the serial singing a song, as a part of the older Karisma's birthday bash. Udhas's song has been choreographed by Pony Verma in just two days, while the shooting for the birthday bash was held on a lavish set, designed to look like a cruise liner, at Filmalaya Studio and the newly-opened Cirkus Cirkus. The set was designed by Ajit Dandekar.

The story of 'Karishma - the Miracle of Destiny' has been written by well-known film writer Sachin Bhowmik while the serial has been scripted by Rafiq Talukdar. And the costumes for the entire cast have been styled by none other than ace designer Manish Malhotra!

Now that you know why the serial is in the news, make sure you don't miss it when it goes on air on Sahara TV.