While cricket is almost considered a religion in India, it is often tagged by many as a "male dominated game" and to change this perception, Star Plus has launched its new offering "Tamanna" here.
The show will feature the unconventional tale of an aspiring women cricketer, who travels through different phases in her life to achieve her goals.
Featuring Anuja Sathe as the protagonist Dharaa Solanki, "Tamanna", which starts on February 1, is a finite series that is touted to challenge the mentality that people that a woman's dreams come with an expiry date.
"I don't know why cricket is seen as a male dominated game. There is no expiry date to a woman's dreams - that's what the aim of this show is," Ajinkya Deo, producer of the show, said at the launch.
"There is no big difference in 'Tamanna' as compared to other shows. But what sets it apart is its concept. While we see a lot of 'saas-bahu' talks in other soap opera, these conversations will be less in 'Tamanna'," Deo said.
Apart from Anuja, "Tamanna", which has been shot across various locations in Gujarat and Mumbai, will also feature Ketki Dave, Kiran Karmarkar, Harsh Chhaya and Vishal Gandhi among others.
As cricket plays a big part in the storyline of "Tamanna", the show was launched in a unique style where a friendly match was organised between the stars of the show and media persons.
Kiran, best known for his roles in shows like "Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii" and "Uttaran", said: "I don't think many of us know how many women cricketers are there. We can't even name one of them even when we know Saina Nehwal (Badminton player) and Sania Mirza (Tennis player). Every person has the right to live up to his or her dreams. Still very few girls get a chance to fulfill their dreams."
Talking about her role of Dharaa, Anuja told IANS: "It is a character which I can relate myself to. Though she is simple and belongs to a middle class family, at the same time she is strong and has an unconventional dream of becoming a cricketer."
Anuja, who has previously worked in few Marathi shows, is making her Hindi TV debut with "Tamannna".
"I am nervous about getting in front of the national audience. I have worked for six years in Marathi television. But this show is the biggest of all," she said.
"Tamanna" is said to be an inspiration for those women who feel that their dreams end after marriage and motherhood.
