Zee TV’s new show Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya hi Kijo that is based out of the remote areas of Bihar has recreated the same rural ambience in urban Mumbai. The production house initially scouted for several locations / existing sets in Mumbai and areas close by until they found Panchgani, a small hill station few kilometers away from Mumbai. The channel then decided to set up an actual village there. They erected real huts, a small temple, quaint tuck shops, the works. And then, to create the feel, the channel even asked people from nearby villages who were homeless to come and occupy the huts! The model was of a village from Bihar called Koyena, set up in Godewadi which is about 40kms from Panchgani. Some 100 people have now set up permanent residence there.

In keeping with the mood of the story actor Aditya Lakhia (Kachra of Lagaan fame) who plays the role of the lead’s father and Ratan Rajput who plays Lali, actually walk bare feet and shoot without make- up or sunscreen to make the characters look as real as possible. Most importantly they are using no body doubles even when they battle with live insects and animals. And the result was that recently Aditya got bitten by a rat in a scene and Ratan was rushed to a hospital when she was bitten by a snake! After these two casualties one after the other, the production house and channel have decided not to experiment with live animals.