Pratigya to leap forward

When other production houses are doing it, can Spellbound and Walkwater Productions be far behind. Yes, we are talking about the lure of leap. Star Plus’Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya, the tale of a woman who fights against the prejudice and stigma against women in Indian society is all set to stride forward. However, instead of opting for the standard leap of 15-20 years, the show will take a short jump of three to four years, wherein the entire storyline will be changed.

We contacted the actors of the show and the concerned officials from the channel, but everyone preferred to remain tight-lipped on the development. However, Spellbound’s Pearl Grey admitted that the leap is around the corner.

“I can’t divulge much information, but I can say that till now you have seen Pratigya (Pooja Gor) as a dutiful wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law. However, now you will see a different side of her, which will be a motherly side.”

A source close to the show informed to us that after the leap, Pratigya will be seen in a new look and she will raise Shakti (Jaswant Menaria) and Kesar’s (Aalika Sheikh) child in the show.

Well, leap, leap all around. We hope this one will keep TV viewers engrossed!!!

Anandi to get kidnapped in Balika Vadhu

Promos of Pratyusha Banerjee aka Anandi going missing from Colors’ Balika Vadhu has created ripples in the TV industry. TV lovers are busy fathoming what will happen to their beloved and favourite bahu. Well, now everyone can heave a sigh of relief as Tellychakkar brings the exclusive andar ki khabar.

Hold on to your seats for the revelation of the century. (well, almost) In the show, Anandi will be kidnapped by some local gundas and Jagya (Shashank Vyas) will come to her rescue (who else).

“Anandi will be out on work and gundas will attack her. Jagya will manage to rescue her,” informed a little birdie to us.

However, while on the way back home they will get lost in the forest. But after lot of drama, Jagya and Anandi will finally come back home safely.

We contacted Shashank Vyas who refused to comment on the track, but Smita Bansal (Sumitra Bhairon Singh, Jagdish’s mother) went on to say, “Anandi will go missing and Sumitra will be in a state of shock.”

Okay, Anandi will go missing and the track will definitely send TRPs soaring. But can a lead afford to be away from the action for a long time? Well, Smita Bansal aptly answers, “Anandi is the lead and she has to return. There’s nothing more to say.”

Shonali, VJ Siddharth and Sky Walkr - a threesome in the Bigg Boss 5 House?

It’s trick or treat time in the Bigg Boss house this Halloween season. Last month,Pooja Missra and Shraddha Sharma flaunted their ‘I care a damn attitude.’ ThenLakshmi openly revealed her sexual fantasies for Vida (imagine that). Now, finally romance is blooming in the house. Like a scene from a melodramatic ‘heroine dancing around the trees’ Hindi flick, two handsome hunks are busy chasing one beautiful girl.

Well, well. Sounds interesting, ha? Here’s some more dope, coming to us, courtesy the grapevine.

The Miss India International Shonali Nagrani has enchanted brawny Sky Walkr and hot VJ Siddharth with her ‘deer eyes.' Both the guys are taking turns to woo the hottie. However, the real masala is that Shonali is enjoying the attention of both of them.

A gossip monger whispered to us, “Shonali is playing very smart as she is having her cake and eating it too. She is going and flirting with both Akashdeep as well as Siddharth.”

Akashdeep was very quiet in the show when Shakti Kapoor was around. Sources say that he is a changed man now following Shakti's exit. Well, is he showing his true colours? Good, if he is.

He is reported to have actually gone and made a marriage offer to Shonali as “she is so beautiful and who will not want to marry her.” And our gabru jawan Siddharth is also making smart moves towards the doe eyed winsome lass.

Hmm…Bigg Boss seems to have finally hit the jackpot with the idea of having more female contestants than male contestants in the house. Now that Shakti is out, and only young macho men are hovering around beautiful titlis, we bet the show will get hotter and spicier with each passing day.

Amit Dolawat to enter Sasural Genda Phool

Good news for Amit Dolawat fans. The actor, who was last seen in Sahara One’sHi! Padosi... Kaun Hai Doshi, is all set to enter Star Plus’ Sasural Genda Phool in tonight’s episode. His character Abhishek, will be an over possessive, slightly eccentric and doubtful person. He will play Sonali aka Hunar Hali’s husband. As already seen in the earlier episodes, Sonali is Ishaan’s (Jay Soni) childhood friend.

In the show, Ishaan and Suhana (Ragini Khanna) have come to Mumbai and they will soon meet Sonali. Abhishek will be with Sonali at that point of time, marking his entry in the show.

A source informed to us that Ishaan and Suhana will be surprised to see the usual bubbly and lively Sonali, all quiet. However, they won’t pay much attention to it as their focus will shift after learning about Sonali and Abhishek’s marriage.

As the story will progress, Ishaan and Suhana will start visiting Sonali’s place quite often. During their visits, Abhishek will come to know about Sonali and Ishaan’s past friendship. “There will be times when Suhana will say that Sonali was so close to Ishaan that people thought they would get married someday. However, these talks won’t go down well with Abhishek who hates the idea of anybody getting close to his wife,” added the source.

Being a bit psychotic, Abhishek will get furious with Sonali. He will hurt her and cry for her at the same time. His character is believed to be similar to that of Nana Patekar’s in Agni Sakshi.

We talked to Amit who confirmed his entry and said, “I am playing this kind of a character for the first time. My role has been earlier played by many Bollywood actors, but I don’t want to use them as references. In fact, I am trying to portray it in an unconventional and unpredictable manner. I hope the audience likes it.”

All the best, Amit-the psycho. I am sure TV viewers will love your new avatar.

Delnaz Paul's Shah Rukh Khan connection

Shah Rukh Khan's RA-One has generated a huge box office during its first week. However, if you look closely during the film, you will notice TV actor Delnaaz Paul, playing a cameo role as a train commuter.

However, it's not the first time Delnaaz has been cast in a SRK film.

Remember her as Preity Zinta's bubbly yet heavy set friend in Kal Ho Na Ho?

And Delnaaz is quite pleased about RA-One's super success and the fact that SRK remembers to give her a casting call. “SRK always remembers me whenever he does something. Now that is a big thing for me, isn’t it?” smiles Delnaaz.

Delnaz is still grappling emotionally with her ongoing divorce from her husband of 14 years TV actor Rajiv Paul.

But she is quite happy with the way her professional life is progressing. With a successful comedy show, (read: SAB TV’s Yes Boss-1999-2009) which was about a worried wife of a flirtatious husband already to her name, Delnaaz has two productions she is involved in which are exciting her currently.

One is Red Chillies' ‘Filmi Dabba Party’, which is aired on Sanjeev Kapoor’s Food Food which Delnaaz hosts. The second one is a short film Kya Hoga Is Desh Kawhich is part of SAB's Sab Ka Evening Show, titled in which she will be playing an important role opposite actor Pawan Malhotra. "So work is all I am thinking about right now,” beams Delnaaz.

Dig your heels in, absorb yourself in work, Delnaaz. It's a great recipe to forget the pain.

Himansh tutored by Sylvester Stallone's Rocky for Humse Hai Liife

It is a known fact that the first few days can be tough for any newbie in the television industry. Like many others, Himansh Kohli, who plays the main lead Raghav in Channel [V]’s Humse Hai Liife, faced a similar fate.

While he got cast for the show – about the trials and tribulations of aspiring boxers - relatively easily, the tough times came later. With very little knowledge of acting or boxing, he was all at sea. As was his fellow lead protagonist, Abigail Jain (Sia). To get around their discomfort, both were put through a rigorous five to six day boxing training schedule prior to the show’s launch.

In spite of this, Himansh found it difficult to portray the role of a boxer, which requires immense stamina, power and energy levels. There were takes and retakes, and he kept sending the shooting schedules awry.

Enough to prompt anyone to want to give up, right?

But Himansh persisted against all odds. And what served him well were DVDs that he watched of the series of films by Sylvester Stallone about the boxer Rocky Balboa.

Himansh admits he did watch a few of them. “These helped me a lot; more than motivation it worked as a tutor for me,” he reveals.

He also seems to have worked on his acting, and has appeared to have improved his on-screen chemistry with Abigail. Earlier it seemed as if the two actors found it difficult to bond in intimate scenes, but now they have managed to break the ice and currently seem to sizzle together.

As far as the success of the show is concerned, Himansh is very happy with the kind of feedback he has been receiving.

“Just keep loving our work, it gives us the motivation to work harder,” Himansh tells his fans, in parting.

Hey Himansh, be careful, you don’t overwork yourself! What say!