Sony is coming up with a refreshing concept titled Jagannath aur Purvi Ki ‘Dosti Anokhi’. Set against the backdrop of Banaras, the show will be based on the journey of an elderly gentleman, Jagannath Mishra who is trying to find his lost sense of life’s purpose. In his quest, his young stranger-turned-friend Purvi will play an integral role.
Actress Sushmita Mukherjee has also been roped in to essay the wife of Jagannath. In a recent interview, the actress talked about the show’s concept and her character.
Taking about her journey so far Sushmita shared, “I started my career in TV with Karamchand 37 years ago and I have been acting since then. I have not stopped acting in movies and also theatre, which is my first love. But TV was not providing me with any challenge since the role of Ammaji in the serial Ganga. So when Rajita Ji, the co-Producer and writer of Ganga, approached me with the role of Kusum Mishra, I knew instinctively that I could trust her because she had conceived the beautiful role of Ammaji. Though Dosti Anokhi is framed within an innocent yet unusual friendship between an elderly gentleman and a young girl, the context is very much of an old couple who are now living in their proverbial empty nest. I found the narration of the character of Kusum Mishra very endearing and real to life and so I decided to be part of the project. I am very happy with my decision.”
Talking about the story if the show, she said, “Dosti Anokhi is a unique story because it taps into the hidden, unexplored, unexpressed angst that 2 successive generations have with each other. Within the structure of a generation gap, it is a beautiful attempt to peel down the unexplored emotions that are buried in the subconscious of the characters and how they ultimately face their darkness.”
When asked about her character of Kusum Mishra in the show, Sushmita said, “Not highly educated, married off at an early age to a government servant, she has lived within the parameters of a joint family, headed by her stern mother in law, and taught to carry forward the traditions of the Brahmin family she has been married into for maybe 5 decades, But she is a woman who has sacrificed her desires, longings, and fears for the sake of her family. And, the story as it moves forward will attempt to unravel some of them.”
Sushmita concluded by giving a message to the audience, she said, “My message to our audience would be to see your parents in a new light. To accept them in their old age because at this stage they are like ” DIL TO BACCHA HAI JI”. Both generations should learn to love unconditionally, without judging, while accepting each person’s journey with detachment and love. The trick is to not foist one’s opinion on anybody, to express oneself when asked, and not to be controlling. The young generation should know how lucky they are to have their parents present in their lives because time with them on earth would be short.”
