‘There could be many reasons for a marriage but no reason to fall in love…’

SONY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION ASIA

Presents

Unleashes the New Year with a MEGA family entertainer

Sony Entertainment Television Asia (SET Asia) announces the launch of its mega family entertainer Kahani Terrii Merrii – an enthralling family saga showcasing the many facets of love and relationships. The soap, produced by Balaji Telefilms, will premiere on January 20, 2003, and will be telecast, Monday – Thursday at 9:30 p.m. only on Sony Entertainment Television Asia. SET Asia is the international feed for Sony Entertainment Television (SET), India’s leading cable and satellite television channel.

The show is a large-scale family drama showcasing three generations of a family.

Commenting on the new show, Rajan Singh, Executive Vice President, Sony Entertainment Television Asia, said: “Kahani Terrii Merrii is the largest scale ever family drama produced for South Asian television. Sony Entertainment Television Asia has always offered its viewers engrossing and entertaining drama with lovable characters in extra-ordinary situations. This will further strengthen our position as the leading global South Asian TV channel”.

Kahani Terrii Merrii, is a love story that revolves around the lives and travails of Dhruv and Tara. The story begins when Dhruv (played by Manav Gohil) returns from America only to find out the harsh reality about his father’s second relationship. Amidst all the trauma and pain he meets and falls in love with Tara (played by Tina Parekh). Several misunderstandings arise between the young lovers, but love finally triumphs and they get married. After marriage, Tara discovers that Dhruv has a drinking problem, which leads to friction between the newly wed couple. Amidst all the confusion, Tara and Dhruv are blessed with a beautiful daughter. The saga that ensues is that of a child’s ill health which plays a pivotal role in bringing the couple together.

Anupama Mandloi, Director, On-Air Programming, Sony Entertainment Television, India commented: “Kahani Terrii Merrii is a saga of love that unfolds within a large joint family which is rocked by several tumultuous events and stormy relationships. This mega family entertainer caters to our viewers’ needs in a manner, which is entertaining, exciting and thought provoking.”

Added, Ekta Kapoor, Creative Director, Balaji Telefilms, “Kahani Terrii Merrii is Balaji’s biggest ever television blockbuster. We have always believed in providing the best in family entertainment and for the first time, we have created lavish sets and chosen the subject of family, love and relationships. Indians have a strong faith in family and relationships and through Kahani Terrii Merrii we want to portray the web of Indian emotions.”

Since its launch in the Indian sub-continent in 1995 SET has enjoyed rapid and considerable success leading to the establishment of European, North American and African feeds known as SET Asia. SET and SET Asia are now available in over 100 countries around the world. The channels offer their viewers a distinctive blend of entertainment programmes twenty-four hours a day including news, cricket, soap operas, dramas, sit-coms, concerts and South Asian movies. SET and SET Asia can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.setindia.com.

Kahani Terrii Merrii – Concept and Story

Kahani Terrii Merrii is based around the premise that there could be many reasons for a marriage but no reason to fall in love.

The story begins when Dhruv returns from America after completing his education and learns that the other woman in his father’s life is his mother’s sister, his aunt (Achala)! Traumatized with this knowledge he blames his mother for hiding this ugly truth from him and decides to leave home. But the close bond he shares with his mother pulls him back and he returns to become a pillar of strength for his mother.

Amid all this trauma and pain he meets Tara and immediately finds a respite in Tara’s fresh and lively character. Tara’s mother, Promilla, had however betrayed Ananya’s friendship by supporting Shudhendu’s second marriage, which begins to create several misunderstandings between the young lovers. Eventually, love triumphs and the couple decide to tie the knot.

Due to the pressures of marriage and a broken house, Tara soon realizes that Dhruv has turned into an alcoholic. A loving affectionate and sensitive Dhruv suddenly turns hostile, irritable and a sadist when he is drunk. She tries to get him out of this habit but to no avail. Soon she realizes that she is caught in a strange web of love and helplessness. The man who loves her intensely and whom she also loves dearly turns into an object of disgust and embarrassment when drunk. It is an impossible situation where she cannot leave him nor can she stay with him.

Tara’s enduring patience and love for him finally helps him find his way through the alcoholic maze. As things gradually fall in place, Ananya passes away. Dhruv’s sister-in-law, Kajol cunningly blames Dhruv for his mother’s death. This shatters Dhruv. Blinded by Kajol’s accusations he finds himself guilty of his mother’s death. During this time, Shudhendu also throws Dhruv out of the house.

Unfortunately, Dhruv begins to feel guilty about his mother’s death and once again takes to drinking. At this time Tara is expecting and is in her seventh month. Tara tries hard to make him understand that he should take up a job but Dhruv reacts negatively. He also begins to suspect Tara of having an illegitimate relationship. Amidst all the misunderstandings, Tara and Dhruv are blessed with a beautiful daughter. The turning point comes when Dhruv in a fit of anger raises his hand on Tara who then walks out of the marriage.

The saga that ensues is all about how an ailing child gets the parents back together.

Kahani Terrii Merrii – Cast and Character Sketches

Dhruv played by Manav Gohil

Dhruv is the scion of the Chakraborthy family, who are renowned industrialists. A warm and affectionate Dhruv, once exposed to the harsh reality that prevails within his family turns cynical and hostile towards his loved ones. Traumatized and hurt by these revelations, Dhruv suddenly finds himself falling in love with Tara. The story goes on to unfold the villainous garb of an alcoholic caught in the web of guilt, pain and confusion.

Tara played by Tina Parekh

The protagonist of the story is Tara. A 22-year-old bubbly, chirpy girl who has come back to her family in Calcutta where she falls in love with Dhruv. Tara epitomizes a heart-moving portrayal of a woman blessed with the determination to keep her marriage afloat, until her patience is tested to the limit.

Shudhendu played by Saibalal

Shudhendu, Dhruv’s father is the epitome of the feudal Bengali set up, constantly commanding respect and awe. Male dominance comes naturally in his character. He has deliberately created a larger than life persona and an unapproachable aura around himself in the family.

Ananya played by Shama Deshpande

Ananya, Shudhendu’s first wife and Dhruv’s mother, is devoted, dutiful and patient. Her trust and tolerance leads to her unassuming, non-suspicious, indifferent attitude towards an affair between Shudhendu and her own younger sister Achala.

Shonarbala played by Ruma Sengupta

Shonarbala, Dhruv’s grandmother comes across as a colourful lively old woman. She enjoys the finer aspects of life like music, dance and romance. Despite her old age and the conflicts within the family, she has retained the sparkle in her eyes.

Mishtimoni played by Manoramaji

Shonarbala’s friend for years, Mishtimoni had come to the Chakraborthy family as a part of Shonarbala’s dowry. Over the years Shonarbala and Mishtimoni have seen many facets of life together and today they share a very close relationship.

Debashish played by Milind Gawali

Debashish is Shudhendu and Ananya’s eldest son aged about 26-28 years. He helps his father run the business. Though Debashish is involved with the family business for a longer time, Shudhendu prefers Dhruv because he is dynamic and strong willed, in contrast to Debashish, who lacks leadership qualities.

Kajol played by Urvashi Dholakia

Kajol is Debashishs’ wife. His shortcomings are from time to time brought up by his ambitious and nagging wife Kajol who constantly tries to create misunderstandings among the family members.

Kahani Terrii MerRii – Team Profiles

Balaji Telefilms Limited, Production House

Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji) is amongst India's most prominent and successful media companies. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company is primarily engaged in the production of television software in Hindi, Telegu, Tamil and Kannada. The company is produced by actor Jeetendra, Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor. Balaji has always worked hard to provide high quality entertainment programming for its viewers. Some of Balaji's blockbuster programmes include Kkusum, Kutumb and Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, all aired only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Garry, Director – Kahani Terrii Merrii

27 years young and ambitious Garry, aims to direct films sometime in the near future. Garry started his career as an assistant director to Anurag Basu in the serial ‘Manjile Apni Apni’. Since then, there has been no looking back for Garry. He soon joined Balaji Telefilms to direct the soap ‘Kkusum’. Currently Garry is directing Kahani Terrii Merrii, a mega entertainment family saga, to be aired only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Producers Director

Balaji Telefilms Garry

Screenplay/Dialogues Concept/Story

Amal and Brijendra Kala Ekta Kapoor

Kahani Terrii Merrii – Episode Synopses

Episode One

The serial opens with the Chakorborthy family performing a pooja. Shudhendu and his wife Ananya are celebrating the return of their second son Dhruv from America. Dhruv’s sister Shonali, elder brother Debashish with wife Kajol, younger brother Pranav, his aunt Pishima (Maya) her daughter Nivedita and his cousin Shom are all participating in the celebrations. The Matriarch of the family Shonarbala (dadima) and her special maid Mishitimoni are also present. Ananya’s (Dhruv’s mother) sister and Sudhendu’s second wife Achala who is staying away from the family comes home from her boutique to find out that her daughter Nandini has consumed poison. Failing to contact Shudhendu she rushes Nandini to the hospital where she discovers that Nandini is pregnant.

Kajol picks up Shudhendu’s cell and is surprised to hear that Achala’s daughter Nandini is in the hospital. Kajol conveys this message to Shudhendu who rushes to the hospital. Kajol informs Dhruv about Nandini. Dhruv goes to the hospital where he finds his father and feels happy that he has some family sense after all. But when the doctor says that Mr. Shudhendu Chakorborty’s daughter is out of danger he is shocked!

Episode two

The elders of the family are consoling Ananya. Dhruv meanwhile sitting at the banks of a river lost in thought, spots Tara and follows her. Promilla, Tara’s and Karan’s mother tells Tara of Nandini’s suicide attempt and Tara rushes to meet Nandini. Meanwhile, Ananya attempts to speak to Dhruv are futile. Tara goes to Nandini’s house where she finds Achala, Shudhendu and Nandini and is shocked to find that Nandini had consumed poison.

Ananya tries to stop Dhruv from booking his tickets to America but he walks off in anger. Pishima is fawning over Nivedita when Kajol enters and bitches about Ananya not being able to hold her family together. Dhruv goes to Achala’s place and confronts her. He accuses Achala for breaking her own sister’s home and warns her that he won’t allow her to take Ananya’s place in the family. Dhruv starts packing his bags to leave.

Episode Three

Inspite of Ananya’s attempts to stop him, Dhruv leaves but comes back soon as he shares a strong emotional bond with his mother. Shom invites Dhruv to a party but gets turned down. Dhruv instead of fighting with his dad keeps quite when he sees his mom’s helplessness and agrees to handle the purchase and finance dept. Kajol gets irritated on this matter.

On her way to the interview Tara meets Bholakaka, Chakaraborthy’s driver who gives her lift to Roychoudhary’s office where she has her interview. Assuming that Tara is Dhruv Chakaraborty’s friend, Roy Choudhary gives her the job. Dhruv is surprised to Tara at the office and decides to keep his identity a secret. He introduces himself as Dushant and starts speaking to Tara. On the other hand, Kajol succeeds in instigating Debashish against his father regarding Dhruv’s taking over the Purchase and finance departments and succeeds.

Panditji informs Shudhendu that his bad period has started and he needs to do a puja where both his wives have to be present. Shudhendu informs his mother about this and they start making arrangements. Achala has qualms about going to the puja but Promilla persuades her to attend. Achala makes her entry and shocks everyone by going and sitting on one Asan. As Ananya is about to sit on the other Asan, Dhruv catches hold of her hand and drags her away. Shudhendu tries to stop her and Dhruv confronts his father. Shudhendu raises his hand to slap Dhruv but Dhruv holds his father’s hand.

Episode Four

Dhruv drags his father to the idol of Goddess Kali and questions him, Shudhendu raises his hand again but this time Ananya holds it and warns him off hitting her son. Dhruv walks off with his mom. Panditji informs Shudhendu that the puja cannot be done because both his wives are not there. Dhruv is walking around on the street agitatedly when Tara sees him. She believes that Dhruv is sad because he is not getting a job and decides to pray for him.

Debashish asks Shudhendu whether Dhruv will be able to handle the finance and purchase dept without any experience, Shudhendu consults Shom, who shows full confidence in Dhruv. Tara is busy at work when she gets a call from Dhruv (Dushant) who gives her good news that he’s got a job at Chakaraborty’s and invites her for a celebration. She agrees to meet him. They go out to an expensive place to eat, where Tara overhears 2 trainees talking about her and Dhruv. She soon finds Dhruv’s real identity and accuses him of lying.