Manmohan Tiwari stars as Shakti in the new show Gehna: Zevar Ya Zanjeer, portraying a dominant villain. The show addresses ‘Pakadwa Vivah’ in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Tiwari also plays Mishri in another show. Drawing from Bihar culture, he manages both roles despite the different styles, with support from the cooperative production house, and anticipates viewer appreciation.
Manmohan Tiwari, who is currently seen in Mishri, has also come on board for the new show Gehna: Zevar Ya Zanjeer. He revealed his character in both shows is quite different, and in the latter one, it is similar to Pankaj Tripathi’s character Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur.
He said, “My character name is Shakti, and I am the villain. I am a stylish, swaggy, strong dominant man who can get anyone married to anyone.I have that power, similar to Kaleen Bhaiya from Mirzapur.”Talking about how his character in Mishri is different from that of Gehna, he said, “Mishri’s character is that of a pot-bellied village head, while in Gehna, my character is a dominant strongman and is very impressive, showcasing the class.”
He further revealed that the role was a challenge for him, as it required a different portrayal compared to that of the middle-aged, differently mannered Mishri. “Each character has been distinctly played. Mishri’s strength is depicted through his unique posture, speech, and mannerisms, while in Gehna, the villain’s swag and style set him apart. If I am shooting for both shows on the same day, it’s particularly challenging because they both have different styles. But it’s fun and keeps me on my toes. And since I belong from Bihar, I have a deep understanding of the local culture and lifestyle, which helps me bring authenticity to the character,” he said.
Gehna: Zevar Ya Zanjeer revolves around a girl named Gehna and the practice of ‘Pakadwa Vivah,’ which means forced marriage. Manmohan said, “This happens in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where a dominant person gets someone married by force. For example, if a doctor, a policeman, or an engineer visits a village, a local strongman might forcibly get him married to a girl from the village. The show is inspired by this practice."
How are you managing two shows? “Since both shows are from the same production house, managing them becomes easier, and there are no issues. The production house is very good, cooperative, and understanding. They have a strong team, and the direction is excellent. You enjoy doing the show because they manage everything smoothly, and operations are running well. I can confidently say that just as Mishri entertains you at the next level, Gehna will too. It will elevate your entertainment experience. The essence of that character will remind you of Mirzapur and similar series based on the strongmen of UP and Bihar, whom we find fascinating,” he said.
“It feels satisfying to watch because, in some way, everyone desires to live that life, to live with swag. You will witness that on screen. This will undoubtedly impress the audience. I believe, with God’s grace, both characters will be hit. Mishri is receiving a lot of love; people appreciate the character, and it stands out. I am deeply grateful to the audience and each viewer for their heartfelt support. I anticipate the same affection for my character in Gehna. There, my character’s name is Shakti as well,” he shared.
