Mumbai: Come May 5, fireflies will swarm all over the TV screens. No, we are not prophesying a futuristic horror scenario, but talking about a one-of-its-kind web series on Zee 5 titled Fireflies: Parth Aur Jugnu. The series is Directed by national award-winning Hemant Gaba, with Animesh Verma as the showrunner, and produced by Amrit Walia, targets family audiences, including teens who are at a vulnerable stage in their lives and grappling with all kinds of problems.
"Our protagonist, Parth, is one such teenager who fails in his exams and is now in the same class as his bright, sassy younger brother. An object of derision and ridicule, he lives in the small Himalayan town of Bheem Mukteshwar and one afternoon, on his way home from school, lands up in the nearby forest, which is believed to be haunted by a Van Rakshak (Demon of the Forest) at that particular time of the year when a Sanjeevani tree, known to bring people back from the dead as evidenced by Lakshman's resurrection in the Ramayan, takes root. He is followed back by hordes of fireflies," shared Hemant.
"The series raises and answers queries of teens through the young Parth across ten episodes, using live-action and animation to not just entertain but impart some life lessons too," added Hemant.
Renowned mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik is the script consultant of the series and American comic book writer who has worked extensively with DC and Marvel, Ron Marz is the script doctor, for this one-of-a-kind Indian fantasy drama.
The show has a talented ensemble. Besides Meet Mukhi, seen in Sony TV's Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2, who plays Parth, the show also features Riva Arora, popular from Colors' Pavitra Bhagya, Zee's Dance Bangla Dance Akshat Singh and other child actors Anaya Shivan and Aekam Binjwe. Priyanshu Chatterjee and Vineeta M Joshee play Parth's parents, while Madhoo Shah is his wise grandmother. Varun, who made his Bollywood debut in Gangubai Kathiyawadi as Gangu's love interest Ramnik Laal, brings in the romance with Zoya Afroze's Nyasa. DJ-actor Luke Kenny plays a pivotal role.
"While Fireflies Parth Aur Jugnu is primarily for teens, it will appeal to their younger siblings, parents, and even grandparents because the issues it raises are very relatable across generations, and the lessons come out of not just age and experience but are imparted through tales from Indian mythology that like the fireflies light up the darkness in every way. That's I think the USP," said Madhoo Shah, who plays Nani in the series.
“The content for kids, especially teens is very far and few in our country and it is nice to be part of a series where all the family members can sit and watch it together without feeling uncomfortable. That was something that made me say yes.” added the actor who was earlier seen in the series Nail Polish with Arjun Rampal.
