Veteran actress Tanuja opens up on her small screen debut

NEW DELHI: Veteran actress Tanuja, who will make her small screen debut at the age of 73 with 'Aarambh', says the upcoming historical show is about 'gender inequality' and showcases how Indian society became patriarchal over the period of time. 'Aarambh' is a different show as its story is unique. The basic topic that this show highlights is the matriarchal society during Dravidian clans. During that time, the ruler was the queen and everybody used to obey to her decisions," Tanuja said on the set of the show. Written by K. V. Vijayendra Prasad of 'Baahubali' and 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' fame, 'Aarambh' will narrate the clash of the Dravidians and Aryans civilisations -- born and built out of two different existential needs. Tanuja, mother of actresses Kajol and Tanishaa, will be seen as a clairvoyant in the show. Popular southern actress Radha's daughter Karthika Nair will be seen as Devsena -a warrior, born in matriarchal society who will be heading the Dravidian clan to defend it from the ambush of the Aryans. Actor Rajniesh Duggall, meanwhile, will be seen as a warrior from the Aryan clan, named Varundev. Filmmaker Goldie Behl, who is directing the show, said: "Vijayendra Prasad conceived this show. He did research and interactions on various topics. Once he narrated the story to me, then I thought it's a great concept and that's how we decided to make a series on it." The Star Plus show will be a finite series of 65 episodes.