Manish Wadhwa to recreate the Chanakya magic..

After going thro' a strenuous audition process, the channel and production house zeroed in on Manish Wadhwa to play the epic character..

Chandragupt Maurya, the period drama based on the life and achievements of one of the greatest and most successful rulers of ancient India launches on Imagine on 11th March, every Friday and Saturday at 9 PM. 

The show produced by Sagar Arts and 72 Degrees Northe has Manish Wadhwa essaying the central character of Chanakya. However, not many know that the channel and production house had a tough task casting the actor to play Chanakya. 

With the actor cum writer cum director Chandraprakash Dwivedi setting an apt example by living the role of Chanakya in the DD National epic that has till date been hailed as a milestone on Indian television, the channel had its task cut out. 

A little birdie tells us, "Imagine and the production house were looking to recreate the magic of the epic character, and had auditioned nearly 70-75 actors for the role. Manoj Joshi the veteran actor who has been living the role of Chanakya in his play for many years now, happened to be one of the strong choices. However, at the end of it, the makers decided to take in Manish Wadhwa for the role, and the biggest plus got by casting him is that he happens to be a less exposed actor when compared to Manoj Joshi". 

When we contacted Manish Wadhwa to get his take on playing Chanakya, he said "I simply do not have words to express my gratitude to the channel and makers of the show. Yes, it is true that more than 70 odd people were auditioned before the prized role fell into my kitty. Chanakya is one of the epic characters that anyone would love to play. I am giving my 100% to the role, and I hope viewers appreciate the efforts put in". 

Going by the classy promos of Chandragupt Maurya that are already on air, we can only say thatImagine seems to have an ace up its sleeve this time.. 

Reporter and Author: Srividya Rajesh

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http://india-forums.com/tellybuzz/wassup/9061-manish-wadhwa-to-recreate-the-chanakya-magic.htm

Home Imagine TV, Latest Chandragupta Maurya Starts 11th March at 9:00 P.M Only on Imagine

Chandragupta Maurya Starts 11th March at 9:00 P.M Only on Imagine

Posted by admin on Mar 4th, 2011 // No Comment

Imagine TV Announces Its New Fiction Show Chandragupt Maurya – A Timeless Saga of Bravery, Knowledge and Power with a Modern Day Connect

Chandragupt Maurya

Mumbai, March 3, 2011: This March, get prepared to flip though the pages of Indian history and experience the golden age of India's greatest dynasty – The Mauryas. Imagine announces the launch of its new show, Chandragupta Maurya, a period drama based on the life and achievements of one of the greatest and most successful rulers of ancient India.

Chandragupta Maurya is a tale of exemplary courage, valor & magnificence of a young man who was destined to a life of servitude until he came into contact with Chanakya, the scion of wisdom. Under his guidance, Chandragupta rose from being a mere commoner to one of the greatest kings of ancient India. Chanakya's motivation and encouragement helped Chandragupta become a master strategist, a diplomatic ruler as well as a sensitive & intuitive human being. Under his rule flourished the great Mauryan Empire which extended from Bengal and Assam in the east, to Afghanistan and Baluchistan in the west, Kashmir and Nepal in the north, and Deccan Plateau in the south.

Co-produced between Sagar Arts and 72 Degrees Northe, Chandragupta Maurya features some of television's popular stars such as Suraj Thapar, Manish Wadhwa and young Rushiraj Pawar making his debut in television as Chandragupt Maurya with this show.

Chandragupt Maurya on Imagine TV

Commenting on the launch of the show Saurabh Tewari, Head of Programming – Fiction, Imagine TV says, "At Imagine, we have recognized that quintessential Indian stories born out of ancient history and folklore are compelling and relevant even today.  Chandragupta Maurya is one such story… captivating, intriguing and inspirational.  At Imagine, we have a tradition of creating compelling shows based on history and we are confident that this is a story that will connect with our audience base."

Commenting on the launch of the show Prem Sagar says, "Chandragupta Maurya further strengthens our relationship with Imagine. With many successful ventures in the past such as Ramayan, Shani etc… we hope to receive similar viewers' support with our new show Chandragupta Maurya."

Chandragupta Maurya starts 11th March every Friday & Saturday at 9:00 p.m only on Imagine!

Following are some of the research materials that have been used for sourcing of Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya and His Times by Radha Kumud Mukherjee

Aarya Chanakya by Dr Vasant Patvardhan

Mahamatya Chanakya by Dhumketu

Chanakya and Chandragupta by Dhumketu

Mauryan history of India by Irfaan Habib

Chanakya Neeti

Chanakya's Chant by Ashwin Sanghi

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http://www.dishtracking.com/blog/2011/03/chandragupta-maurya-on-imagine-tv/