Movie Channels
Vineet Kumar and Gopal Datt revive Manto and Parsai’s stories in Zee Theatre’s ‘Koi Baat Chale
Mumbai: ‘Koi Baat Chale,’ Zee Theatre’s evocative, literary anthology featuring six stories of iconic writers has almost reached its end. Under the promise of ‘Har Din Naya Drama’, the next two stories are bringing the best of Hindi literature. Directed by Seema Pahwa, these episodes will feature theater exponents Gopal Datt and Vineet Kumar.
Datt will narrate Harishankar Parsai’s ‘Ek Film Katha’, a satire on run-of-the-mill hindi cinema that hilariously revisits the cliched plot of a gallant hero, a heroine in distress and a villain who wants to nip a love story in the bud. Kumar will narrate Manto’s ‘Mammad Bhai,’ the tale of a Robin Hood-like gangster who is very proud of his dagger and his mustache. One day, however, circumstances force him to give up both and the audience is left wondering if Mammad Bhai will ever be the same.
The stories are part of Zee Theatre’s promise of ‘Har Din Naya Drama’ and will be premiered at Tata Play Theatre on 19th March at two pm & eight pm.
Director Seema Pahwa said, “To put together ‘Koi Baat Chale’ with Zee Theatre has been an incredible journey and these two stories end the anthology on a perfect note. ‘Ek Film Katha’ and ‘Hammad Bhai’ reveal how these stories were unique in their own manner.
Parsai and Manto tapped into popular culture to show us different aspects of society. Gopal and Vineet were the perfect choices as they brought their own touch to these stories. I am sure the audience will really enjoy the little nuances they have brought through their narrations.”
Datt said, “Parsai’s humor in ‘Ek Film Katha’ is penetrating and relatable. Being a trained theater actor, initially, the film plots did seem a bit far-fetched to me. But when I started narrating, I felt they have a certain enjoyable energy that takes the audience along with it. I enjoyed narrating this story because it reminded me of films from the 80s that we enjoyed despite their flaws, the random song sequences, and the mandatory fight sequences.”
Kumar said, “What is fascinating about ‘Mammad Bhai’ is that Manto wrote it in 1956, much before Mumbai Noire became popular. ‘Mammad Bhai’ is a gangster and could be the template for similar characters that came much later in our films and OTT shows. He is also a fascinating human even though he is a criminal. Narrating this story was truly enthralling and I am thrilled that Zee Theatre is reviving such timeless stories for the current generation to enjoy.”
Movie Channels
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Premieres 14 Feb on Zee
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat world TV premiere 14 Feb at 8pm passion meets politics.
MUMBAI: Cupid’s arrow just got a plot twist and it’s heading straight for your TV screen. This Valentine’s Day, Zee Cinema is turning up the heat with the world television premiere of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, a raw, rule-breaking romantic drama that proves love doesn’t always come wrapped in roses.
Set to air on Saturday, 14 February at 8pm, the film stars Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, directed by Milap Zaveri. It dives headfirst into obsession, heartbreak, and the kind of unconditional love that leaves scorch marks. Rane plays Vikramaditya, a powerful politician whose all-consuming passion for actress Adaa spirals into chaos when his feelings go unreturned unleashing a storm of emotion, misunderstanding, and life-altering consequences.
The timing couldn’t be sharper. Audiences are clearly craving intense love stories over sugar-coated ones, and this film taps straight into that vein. Harshvardhan Rane already has a loyal fanbase from his cult hit Sanam Teri Kasam, which cemented his status as the go-to guy for heart-wrenching romance especially among younger viewers who keep the film on repeat.
Milap Zaveri captured the film’s beating heart, “This film is about love that doesn’t follow rules. With Valentine’s Day being a time when audiences gravitate towards romantic narratives, the television premiere of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat on Zee Cinema felt like the perfect fit. The continued love for intense romances shows there is a strong emotional appetite for such stories.”
Rane himself called it a story rooted in messy, honest emotion, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat explores love in its most intense and vulnerable form where emotions are messy and deeply human. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from passion or pain on Valentine’s Day making it even more special as it reflects the many shades of love people experience.”
Sonam Bajwa added her take, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is not a conventional love story, it’s raw, intense and emotional. Valentine’s Day is usually associated with happy romance but this film explores love in its most vulnerable form.”
So if your Valentine’s plans include more than chocolates and clichés, tune in to Zee Cinema at 8pm on 14 February. Because sometimes the most unforgettable love stories aren’t the ones that end neatly, they’re the ones that leave you questioning just how far passion can push before everything changes.
