Fight against Non-Reliable Indians

Mona

Advertisement

Today we speak of women being equal to men, or even superior, in different walks of life. Academics, professions, managing home or business, sports or space, women are thriving. But when it comes to a wedding, one harsh truth raises its ugly head for these very accomplished women.
“Teri beti koi doctor ya engineer thodi hi hai jo koi free mein le jayega,” the father of a girl is asked in the promo of Color’s latest show Megha Barsenge. The show, based in Punjab, brings to fore the plight of ‘abandoned brides’ by the NRI grooms.
To promote the show, its lead cast — Neha Rana and Kinshuk Mahajan — made a pit stop in Chandigarh on Friday. “Megha Barsenge deals with a serious offence. There are as many as 40,000 women in Punjab alone who have been abandoned by their NRI grooms,” they say. Kinshuk was looking dapper in his new lean look; Neha effervescent in a magenta bridal get-up with tikka, nath and chuda with Manoj written on it. “While there are exceptions, more often than not it’s the girl who carries the tag of chodi huyi aurat despite the act being committed by a man,” opens up Kinshuk. He plays Manoj, a conman who beats one and all.

Kinshuk readily said yes to the role as he has seen one such case in his family, and wanted to be part of the project that could spread awareness about it. The process has been a huge learning for him. “Playing Manoj gives me chance to be this Mr Right on screen, someone that every girl dreams of. His other shade is that of a man who actually believes that it’s all right to turn a girl into a free naukarani for his family and run away abroad to earn.” He has shed considerable pounds for this role, enlisting the help of a dietician to turn from the elder brother of Pandya clan in Pandya Store (his last show) to Manoj of Megha Barsenge.
For Neha, it was a homecoming. This girl from Ludhiana loved the experience of shooting the initial bit in Amritsar. “Food, people and their hospitality, it was like being at home. People were so kind that they opened up their halls for us to rest in between shoots, such was their love and concern. And, here I am not talking of crew, but actual residents of the locality we shot in.” She said yes to play Megha realising that her mother is a thanedarni. “A thanedarni’s daughter looked intriguing to me.” She has had her challenges essaying the part, “Our story is rooted in reality. To play this diffident girl who is very different from the real me took some effort. The support of the other cast members helped me get into the groove.”
Such frauds are being reported from different parts of the country, but most are from Punjab. “I am happy that now Punjab police is actively pursuing the cases. Yet, there are many awaiting justice. If our show helps even one single woman and saves her life, our goal is fulfilled,” she avers.
(The show airs from August 6 at 7:00 pm on Colors)

Director Sangeeta Rao at the helm

Megha Barsenge has been directed by Sangeeta Rao. “It’s rather a rarity having a woman directing a TV show. There are only two that I know of — Sangeeta ji and Nandita ji (Nandita Mehra). I was pretty scared of how it’s going to be. Sangeeta ji is one passionate, gentle director with whom I loved working,” shares Kinshuk Mahajan. “Working with her was like a mother gently guiding one on the path.” offers Neha Rana.

Plot line

Megha Barsenge charts journey of an Amritsar girl Megha, whose father has saved Rs 25 lakhs for his daughter. He doesn’t want to spend on the wedding, but give her as gift to secure her future. Enters a conman who smooth talks the girl and family, robbing them of their hard-earned money. The show sees Neha Rana in the role of Megha, Neil Bhatt as an IAS officer Arjun, who is on a mission to catch the culprit. Kinshuk Mahajan plays the grey lead Manoj, the fraudster NRI groom.