These days it is difficult to separate one series from the other. So when one gets something new in terms of plot or treatment, it stands out. One such series is Sony’s Ek Duje Ke Vaste (EDKV). Exploring the conflict between love and self-respect, it revolves around Shravan (played by Namik Paul) and Suman (Nikita Dutta) whose personalities cross paths. The two childhood friends, whose lives change due an incident, meet after a long gap. Seeking revenge for a past insult, Shravan humiliates Suman who while regretting her mistake is deeply hurt by his barbs. Despite loving each other they drift apart with destiny bringing them together to realise that they are meant for each other. Describing the story as his take on first love gone wrong, writer Dilip Jha who has earlier scripted shows like Bade Achche Lagte Hain, Parvarrish and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, says, “The story is very close to my heart and hence I decided to produce it as well to ensure that its gets translated on screen.” Along with Shashant Shah’s direction (Sumeet Sambhal Lega and Dahleez ), he has managed to create the right kind of magic in the love story. Calling the narrative the driving force, Dilip feels there is a growing appetite among viewers for new subjects and different treatment. “EDKV is a distinctively classic love story per se narrated in a contemporary style. The concept, screenplay and dialogues are ingrained with strands that strike a chord with the audience. Moreover, unlike other shows its characters have flaws making them real.” Agreeing with him, Shashant adds, “I call it ‘tashaan love’ –– not the usual two people meeting and falling in love –– but one in which the protagonists go on to make life difficult for each other, knowingly and unknowingly.”
These aspects come to the fore when Suman meets Shravan after 10 years devoid of make-up or a fashionable hair-do. In her interaction with him she does not drool and even though she loves him, her repartees are quick and sharp.
Portions aired so far make it clear that Suman’s multi-layered character will be the serial’s pivot. “Yes, it is a woman-centric story,” says Shashant adding, “at home Suman is calm and docile, never hitting back even when wrongly provoked but outside, when she dons the role of an entrepreneur, she is different – decisive and no-nonsense type.” Delving on this attribute, Dilip reveals that he moulded Suman based on his observations of women in his family and in his friends’ circle. “She represents the strong contemporary Indian woman, independent and confident who becomes vulnerable the moment they enter their home. Through her journey I want to emphasise that there is no need to be submissive.”
While Nikita was drawn by the realism reflected in her role about ordinary girls and their lives, for Namit it was the absence of melodrama and unreal situations in script. “Though a bit of MCP, Shravan’s motivations and actions make sense rendering them plausible.”
Dilip and Shashant, held a 10-day workshop with Nikita and Namik to ensure their performance looks authentic. She learnt how to drive the unwieldy Ambassador and cook like a professional chef besides working on her diction to sound like a Delhiite. He was coached on the subtle nuances of the role to essay the traumatic childhood without going overboard.
Shashant’s use of flash back technique to trace the lead protagonists’ relationship since childhood makes the narration cohesive without in any way hampering its flow. Praising him, Dilip avers that this tricky bit has been handled well in the production. Though the total number of episodes has not been decided so far, according to Dilip it will be a finite series. “It is better to keep it tight rather than drag it endlessly.” Time will tell if it holds true.
