Sameer Paranjpe, Anagha Thakur on first Diwali of Colors Marathi's 'Mohini': set fun, surprises ahead

The Colors Marathi serial 'Mohini' will this year show the first Diwali of RK and Mohini. On the occasion, the lead actors Sameer Paranjpe and Anagha Thakur spoke about their Diwali memories, the fun on set and the coming episodes.

Paranjpe said this Diwali is certainly special for RK because Mohini has come into his home. RK celebrated Diwali earlier too, but for him it was an event, with everything handed over to an event management company. Mohini now insists that a festival should not be got through but celebrated, with everyone taking part. RK is not at all ready for that. Paranjpe said Mohini will use every means to press her point, so it will be interesting to see how she persuades RK.

According to Thakur, this is Mohini's first Diwali after marriage. Until now she celebrated Diwali with her family in a chawl. Now she is giving her own touch to a superstar's home. RK's house had superficial decor and artificiality, and she is trying to give it a sense of belonging. She is doing this lovingly, forgetting all the anger, sulking and quarrels. She wants to make the festive snacks and draw the rangoli herself rather than have a contractor do it.

Thakur said the special Diwali episodes will show RK and Mohini's Diwali Pahat podcast, which will bring out different shades of the two. On the other hand, the threat over Prataprao hangs over them. Paranjpe said Prataprao is to be got out of jail, and this has led to a clash between RK and Mohini just ahead of Diwali. Whether it calms down or escalates, whether the fireworks go off or fizzle out, will be seen. There is also an emotional turn, he said, but he would not reveal it now. He hinted only that the twist that came during Ganpati may perhaps rear its head again.

On the mood on set, Thakur said she is experiencing this for the first time. The RK house has been decorated and new clothes are arriving for the Diwali episode. As Mohini, she made festive snacks, made a lantern and drew rangoli in scenes. At the Colors Marathi Diwali party she met people close to her and everyone burst firecrackers. Paranjpe said the serial celebrates Diwali well before the actual festival. The set-up of akashkandil lanterns and diyas stays for five to seven days, so every frame looks beautiful.

Asked what their characters would wish for in Diwali, Paranjpe said his character would ask for the trouble facing his mother to go away. He said RK could go to any lengths for his mother. Speaking as Sameer, he added that Maharashtra is currently facing drought and farmers are in distress, so their Diwali is not so sweet this year. Everyone should pray that such a Diwali does not come again in their lives. Thakur replied that Mohini's modest wish is that her family and her in-laws and her husband always stay together and happy. She also said she wants everyone to agree with her that Prataprao should not be got out of jail, and that RK should make this seven-month marriage permanent.

Asked about the surprise for viewers, Thakur said the surprise is how the grumpy superstar RK dances to his wife's tune. Because the camera and the podcast are rolling, RK does all the chores and Mohini cleverly gets them done. Paranjpe said RK will be seen doing adventurous things he would never have done on his own, even in a dream.

On favourite dishes, Thakur named spicy shankarpali and chakli. Paranjpe unfailingly named chakli, saying the diet goes aside and chakli is forgiven everything. He joked that Mohini's favourite dish this year would be RK's head.

On the first Padwa, Thakur said Mohini and RK's relationship has not yet fully blossomed. They are arguing over whether to get Prataprao out, but the podcast will show banter and romance. Paranjpe said the two still fight like Tom and Jerry, yet a fun Padwa may be in store. He said Mohini's parents will be excited about the festival. Both wished viewers a happy Diwali.