'Meri Awaaz...' not inspired by Lata-Asha rivalry: Deepti

Noted actress Deepti Naval says her upcoming TV show "Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai" is not about the alleged rivalry between legendary singers and sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
"Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai" is about two sisters and their bitter-sweet relationship that turns into rivalry.
It revolves around siblings Kalyani and Ketki, for whom music meant the world. They shared a soulful bond but drifted apart so much that the distances could not be fathomed.
Naval and Zarina Wahab have been signed on to play the older generation of the singers.
"It is not a story of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle...It's a different story. There seems to be similarity as it's the story of two sisters and one thinks of them (Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle). But it is not their story, it has nothing to do with them," Naval told PTI in an interview.

According to the "Chashme Buddoor" actress, the show has a wonderful story, which needs to be told.

"I took up the show as it has a completely different concept, something not tried on television. The subject makes sense, it is not just anything random. It is a realistic story," she said.
Naval revealed that as a child she learnt a bit of singing and was now looking forward to take it up again, that is when "Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai" was offered to her.
"I love music...I like to sing. But I am not a singer. I hum. I wanted to learn music and this offer (show) came up. I think it (show) came at the right time," she said.

The 59-year-old actress is happy to have teamed up with Wahab.
"She (Zarina) plays my younger sister in the show. We live in the same area, but never ran into each other. I look forward to work with her," she said.
The musical show, a finite series, goes on air on the eve of International Women's Day, March 7 on &TV.
"The show is not going to be TRP-oriented. It will not go on forever," Naval said.
Bollywood actress Amrita Rao will make her debut on television through this show and Pallavi Joshi will be seen making a comeback after a long hiatus.

Kalyani, in her childhood, will be portrayed by Jannat Zubair. Amrita, 34, will play the young Kalyani while Naval will be seen in the older avatar.
The part of Ketki will see child actor Mehnaz charm the audience with her innocence, followed by Aditi Vasudev playing the young part. Wahab, 56, will portray old Ketki.
Pallavi will be seen as soft-spoken yet a firm Devika, the mother of Kalyani and Ketki.