Manish Goplani on being a part of Zee TV’s Yeh Teri Galiyan

KOLKATA: Manish Goplani says that as an actor, he has certain responsibilities as a part of the recently launched Hindi TV series Yeh Teri Galiyan, which airs on Zee TV.

Produced by Cinevistaas, Yeh Teri Galiyan is a love story that aims to portray a positive message. It narrates the story of Shantanu and Puchki, who are raised in Kolkata’s red-light district of Sonagachi. Later, while the boy is adopted by rich parents and studies abroad, the girl grows up in the red-light district and becomes a dance teacher for kids at an NGO. The story focuses on whether they, as adults, ever unite as lovers or whether societal pressure of background and upbringing pose a hurdle in their paths. Manish essays the role of Shantanu, while Vrushika Mehta has stepped into the shoes of Puchki.

To promote the serial, Manish was in Kolkata yesterday (27 July). While addressing the media at the press meet, he said, ‘We are doing a show on such a topic on television for the first time. So, of course, there are responsibilities when you are part of a show like this.’

On his character, he said, ‘Shantanu is a Bengali boy who is introverted. He doesn’t speak with people much. So, I have thought about making books his friends.’

Since his character is Bengali, will he be speaking in this language on the show? ‘Of course, our characters will be using Bengali words, but the point is my character is foreign-returned, so I am not sure whether I will be using Bengali words.’

Commenting on the show, Manish said that it aims to portray a positive message that one should not judge a person from where they belong or where they have grown up. A person should be judged on the basis of what they have done with their lives.

The shooting will mainly take place in Mumbai. However, since Sonagachi is an integral part of the show, TellyChakkar was curious to know whether a significant amount of shooting will happen in Kolkata.

To this, the spokesperson of Zee TV, who was also accompanying the actor, answered, ‘I would not be able to put a very specific percentage to it. Yes, it’s a fact that bulk of shooting does take place in Mumbai, but these shoots are done very smartly. We will make sure that the authenticity is being maintained.’

‘We will ensure that the long exterior shots happen in Kolkata to ensure that the flavour is there in every episode. We can’t have that feel of Kolkata going missing from the show at any point. We will keep coming back to Kolkata as and when required. So, when we will come here, we will shoot more and more exteriors because that will make Kolkata alive,’ he added.

The promo of the show has been shot in various places of Kolkata like Princep Ghat, Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, and Kumortuli. Manish is yet to shoot his scenes in Sonagachi, and the team will be visiting Kolkata again for the remaining part.