The inseparables AmberDhara

Sony’s Amber Dhara, the tale of conjoined twins promised to break the glut of the saas-bahus but barely eight months since it launched, the show has wound up. This premature end has disappointed its leading ladies, Kashmira Irani and Sulagna Panigrahi. Tellychakkar caught with the duo - now separated- to get their take on the show’s early end and their experience of enacting such roles. First thoughts on Amber Dhara going off air. Kashmira: Amber Dhara was one of the most popular shows. The kind of response that we got to our characters was huge. People are still scrapping me as to why it is going off air. I’m as disappointed as them. Sulagna: It’s really sad to see the show going off air. Amber Dhara has been like our baby. I still couldn’t believe when we shot our last scene. In fact, we were preparing ourselves for the new track. However, the channel pulled the plug. Has it been pulled off due to lack of TRPs or come to its logical end? Kashmira: I really don’t understand the business of TRPs. Despite being popular with the masses, it’s hard to believe that the show wasn’t getting the necessary TRPs. I don’t understand how TRPs can make a show. Sulagna: It’s been only in the last few months that, we’ve been down in the TRPs. However, the success of the show should be measured not just on TRPs but even the audience response should be taken into consideration. Amber Dhara was meant to be a tale of their dreams but the track meandered to tales of murder and family drama. Kashmira: Let’s put it this way. We had never seen such a concept on Indian TV or films before. Though, we couldn’t show it post their surgery, the two lead a happy life. Sulagna: Yes, I agree with you that show was supposed to be about their dreams. In fact, that is what the viewers were going to see had the show got an extension. After separation, the plot was going to revolve on how they achieve their dreams. Where do you think it went wrong? Kashmira: The channel kept changing the time slot without proper promotion. As a result the viewers simply lost track of the timings. Sulagna: The constant changes in time slots drew away our viewers. We were the number one show on Sony when given the 9.00 pm slot. Strangely, they first changed it to 9.30 and then brought it to 8.30 where the competition was really tough. Besides, not much attention was paid towards promotion after the change in time slots. What has this show done for your career? Kashmira: Well, it’s done a lot. It’s given me a new identity. Everyone calls me Amber. But more than a new name, I feel overwhelmed when people rate me as a good actor. Sulagna: What I am today it is because of Dhara. Wherever I go, little kids surround me. More than anything else, to be loved by kids is what I consider as my achievement. So how does it feel on living your normal separate lives again? Kashmira: Physically, it’s nice to being yourself again. We’ve are now even living separately. I’ve got my mom staying with me now. However, Sulagna and I have lived the life of conjoined twins and so now I feel like losing a part of my body. Sulagna: I’m glad to be leading a normal life but living as Dhara was really special. I’ll cherish these memories for all of my life. How different are the two of you? Kashmira: Sulagna is very much like Dhara – shy and tolerant. However, once she loses her cool, she turns pretty bad. Sulagna: Kashmira is more dominant both in terms of physicality and nature. We’ve had fair share of squabbles but without it the relationship wouldn’t have been successful. What’s next for you? Kashmira: Well, offers for films and TV shows are pouring in but we cannot take a decision without the consent of our producers (Swastik Prodcutions). We’re still under contract with them and it is they who will manage our careers till the contract expires. There’s a still a year to go for it to expire. At the moment, I’m preparing to give my final year BA examinations. Sulagna: Because of my sober looks, everyone wants to cast me in the role of a bahu. Balaji had offered me one when I was still shooting for Amber Dhara. Naturally, I had to turn it down. For the moment, I’m heading home to Delhi to give my second year B.Com exams. Upon my return to Mumbai, I’ll first buy a house for myself.