It’s an interesting walk, as you pass by different sets. Lush green hills, open land and gothic sets – rare sights in Mumbai, are things you will see find in Film City.
This time, however, the walk was taking a bit too long. We passed by a number of sets on our left and right along with an equal number of ongoing open air shoots. Finally, after a long walk, at one end of Film City, a township caught our eye because it was distinctly different. The hand pulled rickshaws are not from Mumbai, the two storey houses are a
rarity in the city and the lanes, shops and ambience are also very different from what
you see in the megapolis. It resembles a ‘mohalla’ in Lucknow more than a ‘nukkad’ in Mumbai.
Only after you are inside the township and see the wires, arc lights and cameras, you realise that this is actually the much-talked about set of the serial Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam. It will keep you in awe. The reason? A television set of such magnitude and detail has not been seen before. Yes, we have had sets running into crores, but they have all been to decorate a particular house, none to create a complete city. That is precisely what Vinod Wagh and his team of art directors for Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam have done.
“It took us no less than three months to erect this set. A lot of artifacts that you
see, including the hand-pulled rickshaws have been brought in directly from Allahabad. I even visited Lucknow and stayed in the city for some time to know and feel what a typical mohalla looks like. I have tried my best to recreate that feeling,” explains Wagh.
The show, launched with much hype and fanfare on Colors during December last year, has been in news recently for a number of reasons. The theme – inter caste marriage being one and expensive sets being the other. This is also the first love story to be aired on Colors and they are definitely banking a lot on this new show to consolidate their leadership position. Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam is a story between Abeer and Leher, set against the background of caste politics and class differences.
Based in the nawabi town of Lucknow, the protagonists of the show — Abeer, a Brahmin’s son and Leher, from the Kayasth caste fall in love. The serial revolves around their relationship and how the society and caste politics act as roadblocks for the same. Even in the 21st century, the fact that caste acts as a hindrance in developing relationships and can stir up problems is what the show brings to fore.
Starring Gaurav Khanna and Yami Gautam in lead roles, the serial has already caught the attention of viewers. TRPs are expected to soar as the show touches a sensitive issue, which all Indian households will discuss and talk about. While Yami Gautam, an actress from Chandigarh, was earlier seen in NDTV Imagine’s Raajkumar Aaryan, Gaurav shot to fame with his portrayal of Sharman Wadhwa in Kumkum — Ek Pyaara Sa
Bandhan.
He was also seen in serials like Love Ne Mila Di Jodi (currently on air), Jeevan Saathi and Meri Doli Tere Angana. “I hope the audience likes the on-screen chemistry between Gaurav and me. I am aware of the huge fan following he has, which scales up expectations from me as an actor,” says Yami.
‘Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam’ is aired on Colors from Monday to Friday at 9 pm.