Ediary, India-Forums Drive
Let's connect! This blog is a way for me to connect to you all who have watched my shows in the past and are currently watching my work - Sapna Baabul Ka Bidaai & Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai! Join me in making this blog and ediary active, memorable and special!
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Posted on: 29 May 2009 at 12:00amHey Blog Buddies,
Well, May has been the month of birthdays! The first birthday to the list of birthdays, is of Ali Raza Namdar who plays 'Satindra' in 'Bidaai'. His birthday was on the 11th of May and though I tried getting in touch with him, but he was unavailable. I guess he was on one of his play tours.
The next birthday was on 23rd of May that of Ashita Dhawan who plays 'Maalti' in 'Bidaai'. She was bringing in her birthday on the 22nd night and I was really touched when Ashita said that I was the first person she was inviting as she considers me as her mentor. Considering the hectic schedule of 'Swarg' (new show) had been very exciting but also really taxing, I had marked 22nd night as the day I would really enjoy and be a part of Ashita's celebration. But as luck would have it, 22nd of May turned out to be one of my most hectic, irritating & tiring days of my life where I just could not leave work till 3am in the morning and was also in an extremely bad mood! I once again realized that 'one should never plan'. Ashita was first angry, then upset and finally sad. She is one person who has always been there, with a smiling face and tremendous positive energy at every occasion! She has always been present with all her enthusiasm and has been marked undoubtedly the most dedicated actresses in Bidaai. I am extremely fond of Ashita and Shailesh. So when Ashita was upset with me, I felt that I had really let her down To make up for my absence in her party, I had made up my mind that no matter what, I wont ever let any work pressures come in the way of people who have supported me. I was aware of the fact that I had let Ashita down but then I promised her, that I will definitely be the first guest present at her next party if she invites me!
Vimarsh (he plays character of 'Navin' in 'Bidaai') was the next birthday boy. His birthday was on 26th may but I couldn't get in touch with him either. Nonetheless, I wish him good luck & warm wishes.
And then came the most important date of my life i.e. the 27th of May-my daughter Ishika's birthday! I enjoyed her birthday celebrations and was happy to see Ishika smiling and beaming. My motivating force in life is Ishika. I was thrilled to see her and the rest of her friends enjoying in the jungle theme where she was dressed as Hannah Montana! Ishika means the world to me because she is the only reason I get up every morning happy. I am glad she had a blast on her birthday.
The next birthday coming up is Angad's on 31st of May. I wish him all the very best & hope all his dreams come true!
Yours truly,
Rajan Shahi
Posted in : Ediary
Views: 5449
Posted on: 24 May 2009 at 12:00amHey blog buddies!
When I asked Angad a.k.a. Alekh to be the guest writer for my blog, he was more than willing to. As already mentioned, I am more than happy that I gave Angad a second chance for the role in "Bidaai". Had it not been for him, I doubt the character of "Alekh" would take such a dimension.
Angad is one of the finest actors on television today. He is an absolute delight to work with. Initially I did have my doubts regarding whether/not he would be able to match up to "Alekh". In fact out entire creative team & directors, were confused, as to what Anagd's pitch would be like, as the role to be played was a complex one. We were not too sure how Angad would go about his performance. But what can I say...hats off to him! He created his own dimensions and body language, & got into the role of "Alekh", effortlessly, like he knows him, himself. Angad is impeccable when it comes to his homework. Whenever he has won any award, you know he deserves it because of the magnitude of hard work that he puts in.
Whenever I greet him, I feel very good about one fact, that no matter what, he has remained the same Angad I had auditioned. He is still very much grounded.
I have seen so many actors in my career especially those playing the lead, who believe that the role will lose its essence without them. But Angad is an exception to this. I have learnt this one lesson in the industry, that no matter who comes & goes the show must go on.
My third & last wish would be, related to my fans out there. They are my support system & motivation. They help me keep myself going. I am thankful to them for all their love & good wishes & hope to never let them down. I hope they continue to be my well-wishers!
2. Your most memorable moment in industry and personal life?
Angad: There are many that I could list, but if I were to pick one, it would have to be my first day on the sets of "Bidaai". On that memorable day, I was still unsure whether I was the final choice for the role of 'Alekh'/not! When I saw all the other artistes there, preparing for their respective shots, & working so professionally & sincerely, I was intimidated! I was nervous, anxious, excited, thrilled...my adrenaline was on a high! So the thrill of my debut is my most memorable moment in the industry.
As for my personal life...well, it was when I was in Chandigarh & had left for Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple. I was on my way there, & I had a huge crowd of fans following me! It felt very special to be noticed so much but it was so big, that I had to dodge my way out & hide, to pay my respects at the Gurudwara.
3. If not an actor then what would you be?
Angad: Almost everyone knows this, that if not an actor, I would have continued my profession as an interior designer, because that is what my career was, before trying my luck on television! I was very much focused & did like my job, but somewhere deep inside, 'lights, camera, action' is what kept echoing! So here I am, hearing just that everyday, & I'm loving it.
4. What is your idea of a perfect marriage and mate?
Angad: A marriage for me is, a life-long commitment of trust, understanding & love. A marriage involves the union of not only two beings, but their respective families too. So be it love/arranged, it is extremely vital for the two to understand each others nature, & incase of anything lacking, to be willing to compromise. I think that is the key to making any relationship work. Even cooperating is equally important. Then it will automatically be balanced out!
As for my idea of a mate, the above applies completely. She should understand my family & me & be willing to work things out, while I do the same simultaneously. According to me, give-and-take is an important aspect in any marriage.
5. Message to fans...
Angad: My message to all my loving fans out there is, to keep being my drive & inspiration, so that even when I'm having a bad day, I can turn to them for their help. A big thank you for all your love & affection. It's because of you all that our entire team at "Bidaai" is so efficient. We really appreciate your support. Humein apne dil se kabhi nikalna muth!
The character of 'Alekh' from "Bidaai" was on the hunt for an actor to suit its needs & requirements for about four months! The role fell into my laps in quite an amusing way, I would say. Basically, I was in Punjab for six months & would keep coming to & fro Mumbai, for my modeling assignments. Then one fine day, my friend Umesh suggested I try out for serials. I wasn't too keen because I thought modeling was it for me, & not acting! But my friend, insistent as he was, arranged for my meeting with Rajanji. I had heard about "Bidaai" & its success so was anyway a little nervous because this was something new for me. Anyway, I auditioned for the role & seeing my personality, Rajanji was sure that I was the least suited to play 'Alekh'! Having a never-give-up kind of attitude, I was determined to get a makeover & transform myself into 'Alekh' from Angad. So I got a haircut went to try out for the role, again. Then when Rajanji saw me, he seemed a little convinced. But yet, I was not chosen as the final one. There were two others who I was competing with. I was extremely panicky & tension built up within me, as to whether/not Rajanji will take me, because anyway I had not left a very remarkable impression the first time! But once he saw my performance, that was it- I had finally won his confidence & the role.
When giving the shot, a zillion things were shooting through my head! "Bidaai" as I had heard, was a popular primetime soap & thus I was under pressure to assure a good act. The responsibility of playing the role, along with keeping upto others' & my own expectations made me pull it off well. But most importantly I think my luck favored me to quite an extent. Breaking your first impression & proving your worth, getting a second chance, & then eventually being successful in being a part of your director's favorites, is not easy. So now, I believe not only in giving your all towards whatever you want, but also that luck & destiny play a big role in helping you achieve success.
I wish lots of good luck to all the fans of "Bidaai", & Rajanji's Blog Buddies, & of course Rajanji himself too.
Posted in : Guest Writer
Views: 2853
Posted on: 22 May 2009 at 12:00amDear Blog Buddies,
Yesterday the promos of the new show were aired & I can now officially share its name-"Maat Pita Ke Charnon Mein Swarg". As told before, the excitement & anticipation regarding this "new baby" has been keeping me & the entire team on a high, transforming me & my attitude. It is very thrilling to at last see its glimpse, & I hope the whole team's exhilaration can be shared by the audience too.
To see the promo was a moving experience filled with mixed feelings of being gripped, relieved, excited, anxious, nervous & so on...As soon I was informed that the show was going to be aired, I rushed back home & cancelled all meetings for the day, to watch it in peace. I was so excited, that I watched it not once, not twice, but back to back, over & over again till 4 in the morning 
Everyone on the set too, was jumpy & thrilled! I am glad that now the audience will get to watch it & will hopefully be able to connect to the excitement regarding the show. I am looking forward to the establishment of a new bond with you, dear blog buddies, through this new show. Do let me know what your opinion about it is. Positive & negative feedback are both, more than welcome, as always.
Hope to hear all your comments & reactions soon....
Yours truly,
Rajan Shahi
Posted in : Ediary
Views: 943
Posted on: 22 May 2009 at 12:00am
Kiran Karmarkar
I worked with him almost 1-2 years back but the rapport we shared was very smooth. Working with him is easy & very professional. He is very punctual & when it comes to work, very particular. He keeps his word & assures his words are turned into action. Our tuning together was very good & even.
Rohit Roy
He is one of the finest directors I have worked with on television. Unfortunately the show we were working on together didn't go on for long but my experience with him was memorable. I tend to ask a lot of questions during shooting & he would patiently answer my questions, thus making his actors feel very comfortable! His patience & dedication are two attributes that make him a successful director. I would want to repeatedly work with him. Our equation together has been very at ease.
Mahesh Thakur
He is a very good-natured person & a great director! He does a fabulous job, at anything & everything he lays his hands on! I've known him since his early days when he started off as assistant director, during my 'Sailaab' days. He would help me rehearse my dialogues. He would always take interest in everything & even offer a lot of creative inputs. I wish him all the very best!
Karan Mehra
I consider myself lucky to have taken the leap in my career with Mr.Rajan Shahi, who is a perfect amalgamation of a thorough professional combined with love & respect for his team. He possesses the rare quality of crediting people for their dues & thus keep his professional family together. I am grateful for having worked with him!
Posted in : Testimonials
Views: 703
Posted on: 20 May 2009 at 12:00am Dear Blog Buddies, The D-Day is just around the corner The best way for me to describe this show would be that it is a simple conversion of an idea into reality and this show is really the need of the hour....
He just didn't seem to fit Alekh's character! Posted in : Ediary
