EK Hasina Thi

The chocolate boy of Bollywood – Vatsal Sheth makes a comeback to the Indian television screen with Star Plus’ newest offering Ek Hasina Thi (Cinevistaas).

From the innocent days of Tarzan: The Wonder Car and Nanhe Jaisalmer to the flamboyance in Heroes Vatsal Sheth now dawns a new avatar in the above show, that of rich spoilt brat Shaurya Goenka.

Congratulating him on his latest endeavor are mainstream Bollywood Stars and his co-actors Ajay Devgn, Arbaaz Khan and Riteish Deskmukh. Sohail Khan and Arbaaz Khan two of his biggest mentors are as excited about the release of the show as anyone else. They have reached out to Vatsal and are looking forward to see his performance the show. The hype and engagement on social media reflects the anticipation of everyone to see Vatsal in action playing the role of a rich playboy, something he has never attempted before.

We can say with certainty that B-Town is up and excited for the show. But let’s see if viewers accept him in his role or not.

Ek Hasina Thi

The Episode starts with Durga Thakur’s intro scene. This is the story of Kolkata city. She does Durga puja. Next shown is Shaurya Goenka’s entry as he enters a house from the balcony and comes to meet his girlfriend Avantika. He says your dad caught me in your balcony. He gets her and gets closer. She says are you mad, dad is at home. He says your love made me mad. She asks do you love me so much. He says no, I love myself and I love you, close your eyes. She closes her eyes. He touches her face whistling and hugs her. A girl in the hospital sees Shaurya’s sketch and is scared of him. She shouts seeing his sketch. Shaurya removes Avantika’s clothes and they get closer. The doctor runs to see the patient. Shaurya calls his friends and makes them hear their love sounds. They laughs and says he is entertaining us, and says Shaurya is dating a commisioner’s daughter now, no one can get him, if he got free 2 years ago, what will anyone do now., they are powerful and rich Goenka’s. The doctor calls Durga.

Durga comes running to meet Payal and sees her shouting. Payal gives her hand to Durga. Shaurya leaves from Avantika’s house. Durga cries and holds Payal’s hand. The doctor leaves. Durga hugs Payal and sees Shaurya’s sketch. Durga says nothing will happen to you, I m with you, I won’t let anything happen to you now. Shaurya comes to meet his friends. His friends bow him and says Jai ho Guru. The doctor tells Durga what is the thing that Payal is getting attacks, we need to get to understand her problem. Durga says its a mystery what happened to her, I took Maa’s blessings today, she will surely let me know. The doctor says you have so much love and care for Payal, who is not related to you. Durga says now I know her name, take care of her, I will come tomorrow.

Next is Rajnath Goenka’s entry who signs a cheque and comes to his wife Sakshi Goenka. Rajnath makes a donation and the man praises him. Rajnath acts sweet. Sakshi plays piano. Rajnath taunts the man and shocks him. The man tells him that someone else got the permission to do the first bhog. Sakshi’s face is shown. Sakshi says the city used to stop for her till yesterday, she walks to them. She asks who is the new one who does not know about us. The man says she is a young girl Durga Thakur. The man gets tensed and leaves. The Durga puja event starts. Women dance and Durga comes there. Durga is also rich and pays more money than Goenka’s to the pandit to take the permission to do the first bhog.

Goenka’s come there. Durga looks at them. Sakshi says so you are Durga Thakur. Durga says I m sorry, I don’t know you. Sakshi says did no one told you about us in our city. The man introduces them. Durga says I m not from Kolkata, I came from America some days back. Sakshi and Rajnath tells her that our family does the first bhog every year. Durga says come then, you are elders, do the bhog, I m new here, so I m a guest here. Sakshi says its good to rectify mistakes, intelligent, we know how to take care of guests. Sakshi asks the pandit to start. He plays the shank.

Durga dances with some women while Sakshi and Rajnath proceed to do the Bhog. Shaurya comes there and sees Durga dancing. He smiles seeing her. He says no one can be more lucky than me, Maa gave me blessings before the puja. Durga sees him and thinks of the sketch. She identifies him and continues dancing. Durga dances in anger. Shaurya looks at her while she prays closing her eyes. Sakshi does the aarti. Durga sees Shaurya with anger. Everyone are shocked to see fire in Durga’s saree. Durga is shocked. Shaurya is shocked too and puts water on her from a big pot. She prays to Maa.

Shaurya covers Durga with his stole and she thanks him. He says there are many ways to say thanks. She returns his stole to him. He says I saved your life, you can thank me. Rajnath and Sakshi come to them. Sakshi says you are very lucky, my son saved you. Shaurya introduces himself. Durga thinks she has purposely got her saree catch fire. They leave. Shaurya says if anything happened to you today, I would have died. She says you look in hurry to die. He says by your hands, shall we. She says fine, I will tell you where and when. He smiles. She leaves. He thinks I like this, that she refused his friendship and its a challenge and he loves accepting challenges. Durga thinks look at me Shaurya, I m your life’s last love as my mission is to ruin you.

EK Hasina Thi

Having ruled the TV screen with her fabulous shows like Heena, Kashish and Aandhi, the gorgeous Simone Singh is back on small screen with Cinevistaas’ Ek Hasina Thi (EHT) that will start airing on Star Plus from Monday (14 April 2014).

As Sakshi Goenka, Simone will be seen playing a strong and intimidating woman who will know the tricks of the game efficiently. Sharing more on that, the beautiful woman said, “It is a very fascinating character that has lots of facets to her. She is not completely dark or grey but has this aura around herself which can make people shudder. Everything she does has a justification that makes it all the more interesting.”

Having had a wonderful time on TV, the actress vanished from the small screen. And when we asked her the reason for the same, she replied, “Doing dailies take up a lot of your time and there is no balance between your personal and professional life. But now things are more organised and I can work on my schedule accordingly.”

So what prompted the comeback? “I am not a person who enjoys Hindi TV shows, but the character of Sakshi is such that I was compelled to do it. It’s fascinating and you don’t usually have such a strong woman character in TV shows. Though it has a complexity, yet it is well defined. You have to watch the show to see how interesting my character is,” added a smiling Simone.

Having being part of the industry for so long, what kind of changes she sees in the type of shows that is currently on air, we asked. “Well, firstly as I said the production is much more organised. And the content of the shows has also improved with viewers being offered a variety now. The variant elements add to the interest value of the audience. So, apart from saas bahu shows, you have romantic, comedy, horror and thriller like EHT simultaneously on your TV screen.”

We further questioned Simone who has been part of films, why she did not make a remarkable career in that field? “I have worked the way I wanted to. I have never been greedy for roles and am satisfied with the kind of work I have done. For me, things went as I wanted it to be,” she answered confidently.

So what kept her busy when she wasn’t seen on either the small or the big screen? “Well, I travelled a lot and read. These are the things that give me immense pleasure. Apart from that, I spent time with my family. And even when I was not seen in fiction shows, I was still there on and off hosting and anchoring shows and events in a number of English television channels.”

We wondered if she is ready to take up the pressure of daily shows once again. “I haven’t really thought about that but I will take it all as it comes,” answered the actress.

And playing a stylish Bengali woman, we asked how her trip to Kolkata was? “Oh, I fully love the city. It has a great atmosphere and is very different from the other big cities in the country. Also since my look is a very elegant and vintage one, it will highlight the culture of the city along with that of the character’s stature. The designing team has really worked wonders on my look,” she observed.

And finally does she have any regret with the way her career has shaped up in her almost twenty years in the industry? “Not at all, I am really pleased with the way things have worked for me and my journey has been quite a fruitful one. Also I am a positive person who has no regrets and complains in life,” Simone signed off with a smile.

We wish Simone a great journey with her show!

Ek Hasina Thi will air from 14 April at 8pm.

Ek Hasina Thi

We reveals the first look of Teena Chopra who will be seen playing the character of Payal in Star Plus’ upcoming show Ek Haseena Thi.

Actress Teena Chopra who will soon be seen playing the character of Payal in Cinevistaas’ upcoming show Ek Haseena Thi on Star Plus, has got a very different look as per the demand of her character. Nothing is going well in Payal’s life and she has become like a patient who is unhappy with her life. Her look is very simple with a dark make up to suit her character.

Teena and Payal are very different from each other when it comes to their nature or looks. For essaying the character of Payal, Teena had to sacrifice her real life interests to get herself involved into the character well.

We spoke to Teena to know more about it and her look in the show.

Describing her look, Teena told us, “It’s a very shoddy look. I can’t tell how much I love my nails but my director told me that I have to cut my nails for my character. So unwillingly I had to cut it and I can’t even apply nail paints now. Payal is a very sad girl and so does her look. Payal is not at all lively whereas I am a very lively and energetic in real. It’s a very simple look given to me in the show. I do have applied a very dark make up with dark circles for my role whereas in real I don’t have any dark circles. That’s all required for my character so I take it positively and do it.”

She further added, “It’s a thriller show and not a saas bahu drama. I will be seen in a very different avatar rather than being seen in heavy fancy dresses. I will even hardly be seen in Salwar Kameez; I will be seen totally in a different avatar.”

Teena is sharing a very good chemistry with Sanjeeda Shaikh who is playing her sister on-screen. Speaking about the same, she shared, “I have a very good chemistry with Sanjeeda on-screen as well as off-screen. She is a very good actress, very helpful, caring and loving.”

We asked Teena whether she would love experimenting her character’s look later on and whether she is enjoying her current look or not. She happily told us, “Yes, I would love to and I will go for it. Currently I am fine with my look. Its very different from all others and my look shows the reality of Payal.”

Ek Hasina Thi

Gorgeous Simone Singh is all set make a comeback on Star Plus’ new show Ek Haseena Thi. This good looking actress is all set to steal the hearts of the audience with her enchanting looks.

Side swept curls, pearl strings, chiffon sarees and lace blouses! That’s what comprises Simone Singh’s new look in Star Plus’s latest offering Ek Haseena Thi. Simone, who is making a comeback on small screen as an affluent and powerful Sakshi Goenka of Ek Haseena Thi has been actively involved in the styling of her on screen character.

“My character Sakshi Goenka is quite the style icon. The makers wanted Sakshi’s look to be distinct on screen. Her persona is contemporary and elite and she has an aura of strength and grace. Hence, we decided to go vintage chic with my look. There is a classic charm and mystique around Sakshi Goenka. I have been getting a lot of admiration for my look and I’m delighted that my biggest admirer is my husband!” says Simone.

Vintage or no vintage, we are sure that more than her looks, Simone would steal the show with her killer smile only!

Ek Hasina Thi

Cinevistaas Ltd., known for making successful shows on television, will now depict a tale on ‘Women Empowerment’ wherein the lead girl would not enter the phase where she would be the subtle, mellowed down ‘beti’ or ‘bahu’ of the house!! Ek Hasina Thi, their upcoming show on Star Plus, will bring in a ‘Nayi Soch’ wherein the girl will not heed to commands, but will be seen directing people and voicing opinions.

This show is touted to be the ‘best ever’ made by Cinevistaas Ltd. in their 37 years long contribution on TV.

In an exclusive chit-chat, Producer Siddharth Malhotra opens up on Cinevistaas as a brand being proud of making a show like Ek Hasina Thi.
Excerpts:

How did you conceive the idea of making a show like Ek Hasina Thi?

All began with an idea of giving a revenge-based story. Star Plus wanted a story about women empowerment in a space that would be appealing to the viewers. Hence, we decided to work on such a show that would break the myth that such concepts will not work on TV. My team comprising of me and my writer Sammeer Arora pitched a story to Star Plus. And from there we started developing it internally. It took six months for us to develop the concept and come out with a character like Durga. We then shot the pilot which went in for research. The best aspect of the pilot was that it got an exceptionally great feedback, with zero negatives.

This began our search for the lead girl. Though Sanjeeda Sheikh shot for our pilot, she took a show on Zee TV. But for me, Sanjeeda was always the girl for Ek Hasina Thi. As luck would have it, Sanjeeda completed her Zee TV show, and got back with us for Ek Hasina Thi. We then shot for five episodes, and got it approved from the channel. We now have an approved and delivered bank of episodes for two months. And this has never ever happened in the history of Indian television. Initially, we took nearly five days to shoot an episode. Now, we complete one episode in two and half days, and that in itself explains the large scale on which our shoot and execution happens.

To tell you further, Ek Hasina Thi will be a feature film on television. We are very confident of breaking all benchmarks on TV. And we could do it only with a consistently good script. Also, k Hasina Thi is a finite show that will run for one year. Again, this will be the only show where we have already written the end. We have an approved week by week story line till the end. And we have been following that, with no corrections or amendments whatsoever.

Tell us about the shoot schedule in Kolkata…

We have maintained a high level of quality and have shot extensively in Kolkata. We have so far completed three extensive schedules out there, and are readying ourselves for the fourth. We have had to work very hard with our directors, and give the product a presentation seen in films. Our directors Rohit Jugraj, Partho Mitra and Vikram Labhe have worked extensively on everything.

So how would you describe Ek Hasina Thi?

Ek Hasina Thi is a ‘complete masala thali’. You will get a right blend of romance, thrill, passion and emotion at its best. I would say that one will get a well-proportioned thali will all the required nutrients. In simple words, we are providing a masala picture on television, wherein every episode will have moments to look forward to. There will not be a moment of drag in the episodes. Our characters are so well-defined that when a person would be showing his negative side, he will show his meanest and wicked side. I am grateful to Gaurav Banerjee (from Star Plus) for allowing us to go by our conviction. We moved ahead being on the same phase to drive the show as a team. This will be Cinevistaas’ best show till date, and I am sure it will set a benchmark on TV.

Considering that this is a big show, are you satisfied with the 8 PM slot that you have got?

To tell you frankly, I would have been happier if I had got a 9 PM or a 10 PM slot. Having said this, Star Plus has many amazing shows and are the leaders in terms of GRPs. Our relationship with Star Plus has always been great, and none of our shows on the channel have failed to deliver. Our job is to provide the content and the channel’s job is to market it well so that the audience comes to sample it. I will go by their conviction that the show will work well at the 8 PM slot.

The slot of 8 PM is a tough slot to compete in. Your take.

Very true!! Our show is pitted against Jodha Akbar (Zee TV), the show which my family watches very faithfully. I would not consider Balika Vadhu (Colors) as big competition as it has had its prime. But Jodha Akbar is a very well-presented show, and it is a huge responsibility to break the viewership. I consider this as a huge battle but not an impossible one. Having said this, I respect the show and its maker. But as a Producer, I believe that if we have a good content, we can survive the test.

Vatsal Seth – how did you get to cast him?

Well, the credit has to go to my wife Swapna. In fact, Vatsal is a close friend, and when he was having a talk with my wife, he expressed his desire to do something out-of-the-box on TV. All credit goes to Vatsal for playing the waiting game. In fact, after he was locked by us, he was in talks for every other show in the making. Hats off to him, as he was very much committed to our show that he did not look left or right after signing in. He has been cast against his image, and that should work for him.

Take us through the other cast?

Well, Sanjeeda Sheikh is a thorough professional and is never a trouble maker.

We have earlier worked with her in Jaane Pehchaane Se Ye Ajnabee and we are happy to work with her again. Simone Singh is the fulcrum of our show. Her portrayal of Sakshi Goenka will make people forget the Heena in her. Bhuvnesh Mann, who has been cast for Rudra, is also a major player. Also, we will have many cameos on our show, characters that will come and go.

How did you deal with the long waiting period of three years?

Ek Hasina Thi has been my baby and I have been involved with it personally from day one. Cinevistaas has made interesting shows over the years, and I am taking forward the legacy set by my father and uncle. Yes, the delay did bring in a frustration. Even our previous show Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai took one and half years to go on air. But the three years period was a bit too much to handle. There was a time when everyone of us in the team would wonder about the reasons for the delay. I must thank people like Vatsal Seth, Sanjeeda and Sameer Arora for being with me from day one.

Media reports says this is a remake of Khoon Bhari Maang….

Not at all, our story is nowhere close to any movie or show seen so far. Yes, the genre is revenge and that is where the similarity ends. There have been many films on this genre like Pratigya, Khoon Bhari Maang. Even on TV, Main Naa Bhoolungi falls under the revenge genre. In simple words, revenge is the emotion that drives the character.

Do you have other shows in the making?

Yes, talks are on for two big projects. But everything is still in the nascent stage.

Cinevistaas has always produced stars!! Who are the actors to watch out for in Ek Hasina Thi?

Well, even though Vatsal Seth is a known name, he will be a huge rage. Bhuvnesh Mann will also make a huge impact. Simone Singh’s role will stun one and all. She’s my favourite on the set. Above all, Sanjeeda is a great and competent actor and we know this. So we are all geared up to roar!!

EK Hasina Thi

Ek Hasina Thi, the show produced by Cinevistaas Ltd. for Star Plus is touted to be a major breakthrough in fiction, in terms of its unique story line and presentation. After three long years of planning, the show will finally launch on 14 April and will take the 8 PM slot on Star Plus. And making a comeback to television will be actor Bhuvnesh Mann, through Ek Hasina Thi. Bhuvnesh who has shows like Dahejj and Dehleez to his credit had stayed away from television owing to his business setup for the last few years. He was last seen in a cameo role in Star Plus’ Maayke Se Bandhi Dor. As per sources, he will play the parallel lead, and will be the only positive character in the show. He will be the cousin of the antagonist Vatsal Seth. Rudra, the character he will portray will have a very important role to play. Ek Hasina Thi will have Sanjeeda Sheikh as the female protagonist, while Vatsal Seth will play the anti-hero. Ayub Khan, Simone Singh, Amit Behl, Kishwer Merchant will play pivotal roles. We hear that the actor has got finalized after an extensive search. He will start shoot in the days to come. We tried contacting Bhuvnesh, but could not get him even after repeated attempts. Our efforts to reach out to Producer Siddharth Malhotra remained futile. Get ready for this larger-than-life extravaganza on Star Plus from 14 April

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