Talented and experienced actor, Shakti Anand, who has done several shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Saara Akaash, Sambhav Asambhav, Ek Ladki Anjaani Si, is now entertaining masses in a different avatar.
The thespian is seen playing Mukund Tiwari in Zee TV’s new show Hamariwali Good News. Talking exclusively to IWMBuzz.com, Shakti spoke about his show and working experience with co-stars. Read on:
What prompted you to take up the show?
To be honest, the unique storyline prompted me to take up Hamariwali Good News. As you know, the show has a completely distinct role-reversal of sorts between the saas and bahu and rather than berating her during her lowest phase, the saas becomes her biggest support system. In fact, the whole family comes together and the mother-in-law and father-in-law give the family the much-awaited ‘good news.’ This unique concept really caught my attention, but when they narrated the script, I had a lot of questions in my mind. In fact, I asked them will the parents have the baby for their child and bahu, or would they have a baby through IVF or something else. I needed to know as the scope of my character would reduce if it was the other way around. They called me and clarified that it was indeed that the mother-in-law and father-in-law have the baby and that’s when I got sold on the idea because, through this journey of having a baby together once again after so many years, my character – Mukund and his wife – Renuka rediscover themselves and their love for each other. There are a lot of elements in the story and several interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. I felt it is a completely light-hearted family drama that will keep everyone hooked and the unique concept will surely inspire many and hence, I joined the show.
Can you tell us about your character?
Mukund is the head of the Tiwari family from Agra. By profession he is a shopkeeper, however, as a person, he has lost the mojo of his life. Being busy fulfilling his family’s desires and earning money, he has kept all the things that he was passionate about in the backseat. His love and affection for his family are also lost and he has become very stern and rude as a person. He doesn’t get along with his wife and kid, but he gets along with his elder sister and the daughter-in-law. How he transforms from this stern person to a compassionate guy and rediscovers himself in the show and bonds with his family once again is something that everyone will enjoy to see.
What do you think is the USP of Hamariwali Good News?
I feel the concept of the show and its storyline is very unique. Unlike other saas-bahu and family drama, the show sees how this family comes together in the most unique way in a testing period for them. When Navya and Aditya can’t have a child, Mukund and Renuka come together and have a baby for them. It shows how when it comes to the family, everyone goes to any length for them. Also, in India, not personally, but I’ve seen so much pressure being put on young couples to have kids and when someone can’t, they are criticized. In Hamariwali Good News, the saas supports her Bahu, the whole family comes together and the message we are trying to give out is really fantastic and I hope it will open a lot of eyes and minds up.
As the story focuses on the Saas and Bahu of the show, do you feel your character will get side-lined after a point?
Absolutely not, as I mentioned, I had skepticism about my character and it being sidelined initially itself. However, the team gave me clarity about how Mukund and Renuka will be having a child together and my character’s transformation from a stern man to a compassionate individual will be showcased while I also bond with my family once again. In fact, the story is about the whole Tiwari family and not one or two people, so every character is important and I am not worried about my character being sidelined. The theme might be about the saas and bahu, but the story is about the whole family. However, having said that, we are in showbiz and things keep changing from time to time. If the makers feel the need to alter things and if my character does get sidelined, then I will happily bow out. However, I don’t feel that will happen.
How is your experience working with Juhi Parmar and other co-stars on set?
The experience has been great till now. Juhi is a well trained, seasoned actor and what should I say about her. She knows her lines, she knows exactly where to stand, how to take cues and how to improvise, so she is fantastic. She has been in the industry for two decades now, so she knows when to do what and how to make a scene better. It’s been great shooting with her. When it comes to Srishti and Raghav, they are very well behaved. They are not like other young cast members I’ve worked with and who have been problematic. However, these two are very good individuals, very cultured and talented. It has been a pleasure working with all of them.
Any message for audiences?
Hamariwali Good News is a new show that is coming into your lives and we’ve worked very hard for it and I hope you like the story as much as I did. After the pandemic, we wanted to give you all a light-hearted show with a great message and we’re giving our best, so please do watch it. We’re making a great show, so please support us and watch Hamariwali Good News.
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