Star Plus, the channel that reinvented the family soap, is trying a different tack this year. One of the six serials that it has launched this month is Kashmeer, a weekly that premiered on 16 January (Thursday). Partly a love story, mostly a feel good serial in times of turbulence, the serial is nevertheless a breath of fresh air amid the cacophony of family soaps.
Picturesque, is the word you would use to describe Kashmeer. With celebrated artistes in its star cast and breathtaking valleys and mountainous terrain as the backdrop, the serial has been tom-tommed as a movie on beta tape. The storyline moves along the Hindi film line too; a story of love, friendship and camaraderie.

As compared to earlier Contiloe Films' productions, which comprised horror and suspense series like Shhh... Koi Hai, detective series Krishna Arjun, film magazine Jubilee Plus and nostalgic film-based shows like Rahe Na Rahe Hum, Kashmeer is a novel attempt. It is a love story with militancy in the background; it is a story of close friends and families living in peace and tranquility amidst beautiful surroundings and how external factors (read 'militancy') disrupt their peaceful existence, create chaos in their lives and leave them devastated.

The hour long serial that airs every Thursday on Star Plus at 9 pm is pitched directly against Zee's original movie slot, and if early ratings are an indication, has succeeding in hitting the target - the first episode of Kashmeer ranked 23rd in the top 100 shows according to TAM, raking in a TVR of 4.62.

A baritone voice with an uncanny resemblance to superstar Amitabh Bachchan introduces Chandmarg the fictional town that provides the setting for the story. Written by Atul Tiwari of Mission Kashmir fame, the serial undoubtedly has a film hangover but after an overdose of family dramas, it is a refreshing change.

The focus of the serial is the second generation friendship between Zoya, Kinshuk and Aamir. The first few episodes showcase the youth and the fun - predictably enough, theirs is a love triangle. The later episodes are about the upheaval in their carefree lives after being thrown in the midst of militancy.

Director of the much acclaimed Kadam, Sohail Tatari is directing Kashmeer and has done a good job as far as the pace of the serial goes. Even the sets and the outdoor locales try and capture the essence of Kashmir before the upsurge of militancy. Thankfully neither the men nor women look as though they have walked straight out of a marriage album. The screen character Meera's (Prof Kachru's wife) typical Kashmiri Pandit outfit, including minor tidbits like the ear ornament, offer an authentic touch. The appearances of other characters are also depicted with great care.

Actors Farooque Sheikh, Suresh Oberoi and Salim Shah, the three friends, needless to say, are convincing. The ladies cast opposite them do not mar the picture, barring an occasional outburst from Smita Jaykar (Dr Wani's wife). The other key actors - Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Nirmal Pandey make Kashmeer an interesting watch.

The youngsters Zoya, Kinshuk and Aamir are played by Gul Panag, Vishal Singh and Ankur Nayar respectively. The comparatively experienced actor Vishal Singh (Dekh Bhai Dekh was in his portfolio) needs to loosen up a bit though. One serial old Ankur Nayar, on the other hand, should let go of the sinister look that he sported in Kasautii Zindagi Kay. Otherwise his performance is promising. Former Miss India Gul Panag, on the other hand, has to stop trying to be cute and seriously work on honing her acting skills.

The serial has its heart in the right place. If the pace doesn't slacken and the show manages to keep all the moods like thrill, comedy and romance sailing smoothly, it should be something worth looking forward to.

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