Zee TV’s Bandhan

Aditya Redij, who is currently seen playing the role of a forest ranger on Zee TV’s new primetime offering Bandhan … Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai, is all smiles when he speaks about his first-of-its-kind experience of shooting with an elephant calf.

The show explores the unique bond between his on-screen daughter Darpan (played by Ananya Agarwal) & Ganesh, a baby elephant that she accepts as her brother. Aditya says “It was a different experience altogether to shoot with an animal … it teaches you to be patient as a person. Shooting with a baby elephant has its own charm …one has a lot of fun and there are challenges one faces from time to time. The toughest part is that we need to plan our schedules around Ganesh’s whims and moods and swing into action when he’s ready.”

He further adds “Initially, we all had our own apprehensions about shooting with an elephant, but over a period of time, we’ve genuinely grown fond of him … Once Ganesh & I were required for a sequence, but like a mischievous brat, he would not stay in one place. He would run from one corner to another. So, the trainer told me to offer him a banana; I did that and the shot was successful. For the next shot, I gave him yet another banana and it looked like we’d found our formula for ensuring the success of a shot. Then, for the third shot, I didn’t give him anything; instead, I hid the bananas. Ganesh walked over and gave me a nice l’il rap on the side with his trunk, almost like he were giving me a tapli … this caught all of us completely off-guard and the entire unit burst out laughing. People will be surprised to learn that Ganesh is extremely fond of chocolates and his favorite is Perk, so it is stored in bulk on our sets. He is treated like a baby and every single person on the sets takes utmost care of him; right from his food, his resting time, his willingness to shoot, Ganesh is the apple of everyone’s eyes.  Ananya who plays my daughter Darpan is as naughty as Ganesh, so it’s been a joyride so far shooting for this show”.

On his decision to be part of the show which is completely different from his previous shows, he says “The heartwarming bond between Karnik family and Ganesh is what sets this show apart. There have been movies in the past with animals in the lead, but this probably the first time that an animal is playing such a major role on a television show, as a character replete with emotions”.

Produced by Swastik Productions, Bandhan … Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai is a heartwarming story of two innocent souls and a very tender relationship that develops between the two – one based on the most basic emotion of love and affection for one’s sibling,  standing by each other through thick and thin and completing each other. The show will take the viewers through the innocent world of Darpan and her family set in the Dalma jungle. Always longing for a little brother, Darpan’s dream comes true in the most unexpected way when destiny introduces her to Ganesh, a baby elephant … what follows is a journey of love & struggle in the big bad world for the unlikely siblings! The show has been shot extensively in a forest where the Karnik family stays in a picturesque house, a river flowing by its side. It transports viewers to a world in the woods … distinctly different from the one they inhabit. 

Bandhan … Saari Umar Humein Sang Rehna Hai airs every Monday-Friday 7pm only on Zee TV