Maniben calling

Smriti Irani gets chatting on her new show Maniben.com and the trend of packaging social causes

What is your new show Maniben.com all about?

It is the story of a middle-class woman Maniben from Saurashtra who gets married to a diamond polisher in Mumbai. Initially, they stay in Bhuleshwar. Gradually, her husband becomes a diamond merchant and shifts his residence to the plush area of Peddar Road. As he climbs the ladder of success, she gets left behind. But Maniben believes that money should not make a difference. She believes in her values and refuses to change her ideology or sense of dressing to suit the new milieu. Her motto is jiyo aur jeene do and that’s what the serial is all about.

Why did you choose this particular subject?

It was my first play and it was a huge hit in theatre circles. I thought it was a good concept to be translated into a serial. The original concept is Imtiaz Patel’s while the episodic ideations have been done by yours truly. We have introduced more characters in the serial. The best thing about it is, it has no canned laughter. These days demeaning celebrities and raising a few laughs is deemed as comedy. Maniben.com has the flavour of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films, his kind of humour.

Viewers still remember you as the strong but self-sacrificing Tulsi. How will they connect with the fun-loving Maniben?

My art is about being an actor and the audience has accepted me in every role, whether it was B.R. Chopra’s Ramayan aired on Zee, Kallat Kalet, a comedy show on Doordarshan, a talk-show Kuch Dil Se on SAB TV or recently Viruddh. Tulsi and Kyunki Bhi Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi were like Sholay in my career and I don’t think they can be replicated. I have always had a good sense of humour but people will be realising it only now.

Though you saw success as an actress, your productions Viruddh and Waaris, despite being acclaimed, have not been chart-toppers.
I firmly believe that good content has no co-relation to TRPs. As a maker, you have to decide if you want to make fluff for the sake of TRPs or do something creatively different.

But haven’t serials like Balika Vadhu and Bidaai changed the viewing pattern.

I don’t think so. If you look closely, these serials are in the same mould as the saas-bahu ones albeit re-packaged with social causes. They are beautified with the same ribbons. The difference is that the heroines are younger. The day I see serials like New Delhi Times, Lifeline or Udaan being made, I’ll say the creativies on small-screen have changed. Till then, let’s be happy with our illusions.

Source: screenindia.com