Well known director Sai Paranjpye’s 1998 film Saaz which traced the lives of two gifted singer sisters who make it big in music world, led to speculation that it was based on the legendary playback artistes and sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. The depiction of Aruna Irani playing an ambitious singer who dissuades her younger sister (Shabana Azmi) from entering the music industry fearing threat to her own position was enough for the audience to draw parallels. The film industry is abound with stories on sibling rivalries. None can match Lata and Asha, but there have been tales of Kajol and Rani Mukherjee, Aamir and Faisal Khan, Anil and Sanjay Kapoor and now Priyanka and Parineeti Chopra and the charm never wears off. The readers, the listeners and the viewers cannot seem to have enough of them.
&TV channel which is just a year old has made a bold attempt to catch the audience attention by launching Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai , a finite series with an eye-catching tagline “the biggest musical rivalry”. It is woven around two arch-rivals who happen to be sisters.
As in the case of Saaz , for Meri Awaaz… too the media and audience were quick to draw parallels between the serial and Mangeshkar sisters, whose talent and tussle, have dominated the film industry for years.
The launch event and promos of the serial gave hints to the uncanny resemblance of the story and characters to that of real life. Denying this, producer Nivedita Basu, a seasoned player in the business, who has been associated with successful shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki says, “The story is fictionalised and at no point have we tried to copy the life of the legendary singer sisters. I want to make it clear it is not a biopic but a music-based family story led purely by the sisters and their career.” On pointing that parallels are being drawn, she comments: “I am sure a lot of people will draw references, which works well for my show,” says Basu, who along with Ekta Kapoor changed the face of daily soaps at the turn of the millennium.
Revolving around Kalyani and her young sister, Ketki, the show traces their journey from childhood in Nagthane town to Mumbai during which they turn from loving sisters to bitter rivals as they vie for the top slot in the music world amidst other differences. Amrita Rao and Aruna Vasudev, both making their television debut, play young Kalyani and Ketki for almost 100 episodes before handing the baton over to Deepti Naval and Zarina Wahab. Amrita says, “Comparison is inevitable as Lataji and Ashaji are two leading singer sisters in the playback world but neither during the concept nor story discussion their names were mentioned or referred to.” Taking a similar line, Aruna says, “to many the show may seem to be their story from the outside but episode wise it is not.”
Contrary to the claim , promos and the handful of episodes aired so far, relate a different picture. Mayank Agarwal, a banker and a big fan of Lata and Asha, remarks: “The characterisation and performance till now giveone a fair clue about it.” Similar thoughts are echoed by Lajwanti, a South Delhi housemaker and an avid viewer of TV soaps, “I do not know whether it is based on the true happenings but one can perceive shades of what we have seen and read in the media about the sisters.”
The viewers can hardly be faulted on drawing this surmise as promos and the episodes make it hard to miss the similarities. Child artists Jannat Zubair Rahmani and Mehnaz Charm’s portrayal of different traits of Kalyani and Ketki clearly prepare us for things to come in future. While Jannat is shown as quiet, receptive and far more mature than her age, Mehnaz displays effervescence and impulsiveness.
How the roles will develop becomes clear with Amrita and Aditi describing their characters. Amrita defines Kalyani as a “very strong and sensitive person who takes over the responsibility very young making her far more mature for her age. Passionate about music and singing she wants to be the best singer in the world and is willing to overcome any obstacle that limits her as a singer by hard work and grit.” You can’t miss shades of Lata Mangeshkar there.
On the other hand Aditi sees several layers in Ketki who according to her is spirited, impulsive, quick to emotions and incredibly ambitious. “Ketki thinks with her heart and not head, loves to explore and experience everything. Though more capable of love, passion and depth she is not an able decision maker.” Making an interesting observation she adds: “The sisters love each other so much yet are unable to understand each other.” The intended good is resented by other. Nivedita feels in the show’s matriarchal set when one sister takes command it leads to resentment which builds up over a period of time. Interestingly, Kalyani remains single Ketki gets married, becomes a mother and gets separated from her husband.
Going by the two descriptions it is quite evident who the roles are modelled on. Entry of Deepti and Zarina in the opening episode too throws sufficient hints. Donning an elegant sari with its palloo wrapped around the shoulders, Deepti’s hair-do is as simple as her demeanour. She is prim and proper. Contrary to that Zarina’s is decked in a colourful sari, adorning an expensive pearl set and the hair stylishly set. While Deepti simply acknowledges the media present at the studio, Zarina deliberately halts and gives a wide smile.
Does “Meri Awaaz…” go beyond the unavoidable comparison and is there more to it? With music industry forming the backdrop, the compositions and singing are vital components. Nivedita says, “The story spans over 50 years and so the music and singing also undergoes a change. Shivi Kashyap who has composed the songs has provided a variety.” Echoing her point, Amrita and Aditi, are banking on Kushal Zaveri’s direction and strong support cast, which includes Pallavi Joshi, to make it a success story.
