Voot Select’s Ranjish Hi Sahi set in golden era of Hindi cinema

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Set to stream on Voot Select from January 13, Ranjish Hi Sahi is created by the maverick Mahesh Bhatt.

Voot Select says in a press release that it “promises a clutter-breaking show in the form of a dramatic love story set in the golden era of 1970s’ Hindi cinema.” Produced by Mukesh Bhatt and by Jio Studios, the series features Tahir Raj Bhasin, Amala Paul and Amrita Puri in lead roles.

Written and directed by Pushpdeep Bhardwaj, the series revolves around a fledgling film director who gets drawn into an extramarital affair with an eccentric superstar, who changes his life forever. He is torn between two worlds. Interestingly, after Bhatt’s Arth, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Ayee and Zakham in the 1980s and 1990s, we will not be surprised if this series too has autobiographical shades.

This story revolves around the lives of Shankar, Aamna and Anju. The story explores complicated human relationships between adults and the different shades that love can take. An intense drama, it explores temptation, forbidden love, passion, trust, marriage, loyalty, unconditionally, stability, obsession and separation in a myriad of emotions.

The show not only is a nostalgic trip down memory lane by rekindling golden moments from a glamorous era but also revisits one of the most creatively rich periods in the Hindi film industry. The series has music by Aabhas and Shreyas and songs by Rekha Bharadwaj, Vishal Mishra, Javed Ali and Ash King.

Bhardwaj says, “With so many thrillers and crime shows being made, I was keen on making a dramatic love story with music at its core—something that could stand out. Through a lot of research and a lot more conversations, Ranjish Hi Sahi came into being. An attempt has been made to bring out complex human emotions, based against the film industry of the glorious 70s. Recreating this world amidst today’s testing times was nothing short of miraculous, and this wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of all those at Jio Studios. Now that the show is finally ready, I am beyond thrilled and can’t wait for the audiences to witness our labor of love!”

Tahir Raj Bhasin notes, “When I was narrated the script of this unique love story, I was instantly gripped by how layered is Shankar, my character. What drew me to the part was the challenge of a romantic drama wherein the protagonist is torn between the two women in his life. Shankar blurs the lines between a vulnerable romantic and an authoritative rebel. Playing him was a complex emotional roller- coaster, but most of all it was a whole lot of fun.”

Tamil actress Amala Paul, who makes her Hindi web debut with the show as Aamna, shares: “When I received a call from Vishesh Entertainment to play this character, my reaction was, ‘Wow! Do I actually resemble a Hindi superstar from the 70s?’ I was ecstatic; a feeling I cannot put into words, but at the same time there is a huge sense of responsibility. The character of this diva had a fierce and unapologetic personality; to translate that kind of energy on-screen was challenging. It was like a game of imagination, but I did a lot of research. It was surely an enriching experience.”

Amrita Puri adds, “Anju’s simplicity is her strength. Getting into the skin of her character was a learning experience for me. Her life and the times in which she lived are both so different from mine.  She is extremely resilient and the reason why the family sticks together. I was amazed by her empathetic nature and capacity to forgive. It’s not easy being a homemaker and the emotional backbone of the family. It gave me a new perspective on things.”