Old wine in a new bottle

Smriti Irani will once again sport a Gujrati saree, heavy jewelry and a bun onscreen. Super hit duo Baa and Smriti are back together, to create the same magic again. No ‘Kyunki…’ is not back, its SAB TV’s Maniben.com, a serial version of theatrical play under the same title. “It is an adapted concept from a super hit Gujrati play Maniben.com. I am glad that our production house has the decency to acknowledge the original writers work and license out the concept”, Smriti, takes pride in abiding the norm that barely happens in India. In the serial version few of the character are newly introduced to get the flavor of the TV serial.

Maniben.com seems to be an attempt to cash on the unforgettable chemistry of Baa and Tulsi and the super hit theatrical concept. “We have already worked together. Baa is again an emotional character and Maniben is very caring. Naturally chemistry will be the same. Hope this time again it clicks with the audience”, elucidates Sudha Shivpuri. But Smriti puts it differently, “We needed a character that has compromised with the circumstances. At the same time she knows to keep her family together. If this is the description of the character, Sudhaji is definitely the first name that comes to our mind. I am happy that we are again working together”.

Her attire in the show is almost similar to that of Tulsi. Smriti astutely explains the co-incidence of the resemblance, “Gujrati women wear this kind of saree and mangalsutra only and I can’t change my face by any plastic surgery (laughs). Lekin haan logon se milne ka andaaz naya hoga (but this time approach will be different)” and she recites “Rishton ke bhi roop badalte hai…naye naye saanche mein dhalte hai” (a line from kyunki…’s title song).

The most pampered bahu of her time has realized the expiry of saas bahu sagas and is trying hand in comedy. Smriti has started her career with comedy and now starts her second inning with the same. “For an actor it is not challenging but had I would have considered myself a star it would have been definitely difficult”, states Smriti, who has no qualms in going back to the time. However comedy is big today. Soap queen of ‘kyunki…’ days has definitely sensed the change in viewers taste. “Through the medium of SAB TV we are trying to give variety to the viewers. Perhaps this is the result of change in viewers’ choice that we are trying to give them something new,” she concludes.

In the humorous journey of Maniben, she will take us with the roller coaster ride. It will be an ultimate combination of humor and heartfelt emotion.