In Dharampatni,the protagonists are called Mohan and Kastur. But do the similarities with the Mahatma and wife Kasturba Gandhi end here? One look at the concept note,and Imagines new show sounds like a Dev D meets Devdas and en route picks up strands from Mahatma Gandhis life. In Dharampatni,Mohan is a man in distress a man educated in the West who shuns Indian culture and keeps himself busy by gambling and womanising. The other lead,Kastur is rooted to her Indian roots,cheerful and optimistic. Mohan and Kastur? Is there a sub-text referencing Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba? Harshad Chopra,who plays Mohan,says that the show weaves a bit of Gandhism into his character as it grows. Although its a love story,Mohan faces his own demons and comes to terms with life, says Chopra,who was earlier seen in shows such as Mamta and Ambar Dhara. As Mohans character undergoes a transformation,the show talks about life and respect as it follows the Gandhian philosophy. One should make ones life simpler,not complicated. Weve been blessed with simple lives,but we make a mess of them ourselves, adds Chopra. The story begins with Mohan returning home from abroad having failed to earn a degree. His experiments with the Indian life,his meeting the bubbly Kastur (played by Aasiya Kazi),and their marriage despite the glaring differences,incompatibility and diverse belief system,creates enough twists and turns for a dramatic storyline. The show also works on a parallel theme: A womans contribution to a mans success is rarely acknowledged but her actions continue to shape the man, says Chopra,hinting about Kastur bringing about a positive change in Mohans life. Would the Mahatma have approved? Wait and watch.
