ITV

Tag: Aamna Shariff

  • Geo TV eyes UK market; sceptical about India

    Geo TV eyes UK market; sceptical about India

    MUMBAI: Dubai headquartered Geo TV, the flagship channel from the Pakistan-based Jang group of media companies, has now decided to spread it wings and is eyeing the UK market, while firm in the belief that India is not yet ready for it.

    As part of the expansion plans, Geo TV is also mulling having an additional channel, Geo TV-Entertainment, in Pakistan. The existing channel, Geo TV, transforms into a news channel there. The Jang group has also applied for a DTH licence in Pakistan.

    According to a senior executive of Geo TV present at the Ficci-Frames, the next destination for the infotainment channel is the UK, where negotiations are on with the Rupert Murdoch-controlled BSkyB platform.

    Though no time frame was enlisted by Geo TV for the UK debut, it is part of a game plan to have a footprint in markets where there is sizeable South Asian population, especially people of Pakistani origin.

    In the US, the infotainment channel, which made its debut there last year on the EchoStar platform, beams into approximately 35,000 homes there targeting primarily South Asian viewers. Future target is to reach 50,000 homes.

    Asked about Geo TV’s Indian plans, the company executive said that though an entertainment channel is being planned for the South Asian region, where the aim would be to exploit the Indian market more, the present regulatory regime in India would not make it commercially viable.

    “A major part of our revenue comes from subscription and in the absence of any firm regulatory mechanism to this effect (read conditional access system), the Indian market looks a bit nebulous to enter into at present,” the executive said.

    However, Geo TV is available in quite a few Indian cable homes and, at one time, the channel was looking at having distribution tie-ups with cable ops and MSOs here.

    Explaining the difficulties in making an Indian foray, the Geo TV executive said that the channel has been on air without advertisements since inception, depending on subscription revenue. “In India, the mechanism for accounting the subscription revenue is still hazy and, hence, we would not like to make an Indian debut so soon,” the executive said.

    Having an Indian presence would make eminent sense for the channel as several Indian television actors are increasingly being employed by Geo for their soaps and serials. Artistes like Sangeeta Ghosh, Aamna Shariff and Vikas Bhalla have been signed for serials on Geo.

    As a stand alone channel in the US, it is priced at $ 15 per subscriber per month, while the target is to price the channel at £ 15 in the UK when it makes an entry there.

    For UK the programming would be on the lines of the US feed and the effort will be to have localised content to cater to the South Asian viewers. The channel would also beam dramas, among other entertainment fare.

    Geo TV airs programmes partly in Urdu and in English in the USA and has sizeable portion of local content The channel forayed into the Middle-East last year and airs there as a free-to-air channel on the Phela bouquet.

  • Pak TV beckon Aman Varma, Sakshi Tanwar too

    MUMBAI: The on-going Indo-Pak friendship talks definitely has desirable effect on the television industry. Following the footsteps of Nausheen Sardar Ali, Aamna Shariff, the ace television actors Sakshi Tanwar and Aman Varma have signed on an Indo-Pak venture Kucch Rishtey Kachche Dhaagon Ke.

    Erstwhile director of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi- Kamal Monga Aman is the producer from India, while the other producer is a Pakistani nationa. Varma’s charcter in the intense family drama is known as Salman and Tanwar plays Ayesha.

    The serial is currently being pitched to Pakistan’s Geo Channel is about a man whos married to two women, an Indian Muslim and a Pakistani Muslim. The story deals with the increasing negativity between the two wives and their respective kids.

    The Indian actors starring in the serial, besides Varma and Tanwar, include Shahbaz Khan, Tasneem and Smita Hai. The serial also stars noted Pakistani actors like Bahaar Begum, Mustafa Qurshi, Saima and Rustam. Tanwar will be romantically paired opposite Shahbaaz Khan.

    Both Varma and Tanwar are back from Dubai after they wrapped up the first schedule of the show. The serial will also be shot in Mumbai and Karachi.

    Speaking about his role Varma offered, “The actors there are pretty receptive about us. In fact they say that our shows are very popular and so are our TV stars.”

    As on the home ground, Varma- who has previously starred in Kyunki…, Kalash, Kehta Hai Dil, and anchored Khullja Sim Sim is currently seen in Sony’s supernatural thriller Devi and Star Plus’ afternoon soap Kumkum. Coincidentally, Tanwar and Varma have been co stars in Devi, till Tanwar called it quits recently. Right now in Star Plus’ Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, she is about to reveal that she is indeed Parvati and not Swati Dixit as she has been posing so far. 

  • Maldivans rue cultural invasion of the desi kind

    Maldivans rue cultural invasion of the desi kind

    MUMBAI: It is not just Indian politicos who whip up the cultural invasion tag when it comes to films and programmes from the West. In the Indian Ocean tourist hot spot Maldives the very same charge is being levelled against Indian stars and programmes.

    Indian movies and TV programmes are being lapped up by the island population so much so that local artistes are complaining of being given short shrift.

    Recently, Aamna Shariff (Kashish of Kahiin To Hoga) and Juhi Parmar (Kumkum of KumKum-Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan) performed in a carnival to sell-out crowds. The carnival concerts were part of the Eid celebrations in the Maldives and the most profitable nights for the organisers were those when Indian TV stars made special appearances. Soon thereafter, Aamna was approached to do a music video opposite the popular local musician Yoosuf Shafeeu. The video was directed by Ahmed Tholhath.

    According to a report in the Raveeru daily (a local newspaper in Maldives), “During the Eid time this year, two clubs of Lhaviyani atoll Hinnavaru island competed against each other to book some Indian TV stars who were due to make their appearance on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at rival concerts arranged in that island as a part of the holiday celebrations.”

    That the Indian TV actors are having a ball goes without saying. The report further states, “It is estimated that the total cost of the entertainment shows in Hinnavaru to be above a million Rufiya, considering that some Indian TV stars reportedly appeared in Hinnavaru for a fee of $4,000 (or about Rf51,400), a staggering sum in local standards.”

    But this joy ride for the Indian TV stars has not come without a fair share of controversy. There are sections of people in the island who are feeling highly offended to what they term is cultural invasion.

    A top local Maldivean actor “Rico” Moosa Maniku recently commented: “The influence of Hindi (Indian) film stars on Maldivian audiences have gone out of hand. They are being brought to grace the stage of (Majeediyya Diamond Jubilee) Carnival. They are being brought for entertainment shows in the island communities during this Eid holiday. They are even gracing our local video songs. Is there no room for Maldives’ own pop culture.”

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Aamna defended, “I don’t understand why some people in Maldives should feel sour about this. Their people are getting what they want. Their people feel happy. That’s what should matter most to them. Besides, any form of art should not have any cultural barriers.”

    Juhi Parmar who was in Maldives last month, informed that she had inaugrated the carnival. When asked if she sensed any tension while she was there, she quipped, “Not at all. I am amused. This is news to me. But I can understand. I hope they learn to digest our popularity. If we appreciate stuff imported from foreign lands, why can’t the Maldivans?”

    Among the other stars who have done concert shows in the Maldives include Ronit Roy (of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay fame) and Simone Singh (of Heena fame).

    Ronit Roy was unavailable for comment, while Simone Singh said, “Heena has made me very popular there. Even I was supposed to be at the carnival. Also, I was supposed to inaugurate a multiplex. Unfortunately, I could not make it. Maldiveans should not get perturbed. It will all settle down. These are early days for them. I remember how we changed our outlook and accepted the satellite invasion in our country.”

    At the end of the day, the bottomline seems to be money. Maldivians earlier engaged in more traditional forms of entertainment during Eid holidays but this seems to be the beginning of a new trend. While some leading Indian TV stars have already appeared at the Diamond Jubilee Carnival, more are due this week. Plus, the Majeediyya Diamond Jubilee Committee plans to bring more Indian stars to grace the stage there over the next three months.

  • After two years, new ‘youth-centric’ Balaji soap launches on Star Plus

    MUMBAI: Star Plus is all set to launch another ‘K’ serial – Kahiin To Hoga – on 8 September adding to their already big buffet of Balaji soaps.
    The new daily soap launches 8 September and will air Monday -Thursday at 11.00 pm replacing Kaahiin Kissii Roz which is nudged forward to the 11:30 pm slot.
    At the media briefing to announce the launch of the serial in Mumbai, Star India content and communication senior vice-president Tarun Katial shared the podium with veteran Balaji Telefilms chairman Jeetendra, CEO Shobha Kapoor and director Anil Kumar. Balaji creative head Ektaa Kapoor was, however, not present.
    Katial began the proceedings by informing that Balaji was 
    launching a daily soap on Star Plus after two years. He emphasised the fact that unlike the other soaps which had lots of elderly characters, Kahiin… would be definitely youth centric. An audiovisual presentation highlighting important moments from the serial was screened.
    Kahiin… is a story of five sisters- Kashish (Aamna Shariff), Kanan (Kusmit Sana), Mouli (Ashlesha Savant whose ‘death’ in Kyunki… recently created a sensation of sorts), Mehek (Poonam Joshi) and Charu (Mitra Joshi) each with a different personality. Kashish is hardworking and principled, Kanan is an absolute simpleton, Mauli is a hep rebel, Mehek is dreamy and Charu is a perfect tomboy.


    Born in a middle class family to a professor, the young girls are loved, cared and well looked after by their elder sister Kashish – who never sacrifices on self respect.
    The 21-year-old protagonist, Aamna was a picture of confidence at the press conference, as she moved amidst the media, patiently answering all the questions. “I have done two South films and have even signed another one recently. My first priority is of course this serial which I guess would consume 25 days in a month hereafter, but I plan to shoot for the film in the remaining five days which are left at my disposal,” she informed. She was spotted by Ektaa Kapoor in one of the music videos that she did and hence came Kahiin….
    Being very resolute in her decision to stick to this soap till she makes her mark, she says “I plan to do Hindi films in future. Actually, I have several offers. But when the Balaji offer came along, I decided to start off with television. I feel that I can reach out and register myself with a larger audience by making my first splash on the small screen rather than the big one.” This headstrong girl claims that she will not accept any film offers until this show reaches its logical conclusion, howsoever tempting those might be in terms of banner and money.


    Speaking to indiantelevision.com, director Anil Kumar (director of Balaji Films Kucch To Hai (starring Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol, Natasha) revealed, “Actually, this show would have hit the tube a little before this. There were two reasons responsible for the delay. One, we were earlier getting the 7.30 pm slot. We wanted either dinner time or post dinner. 7.30 pm would have been too early to garner viewership in especially the metros. Secondly, two or three directors were tried out to work on this project. But they failed to deliver to the expectations.” Hence he was summoned to the rescue by Kapoor.
    Other main cast of Kahiin … includes Deepak Parasher, Rohit Bakshi, Rajeev Khandelwal and Shabbir Ahluwalia.
    Come 8 September and we will know whether this one is another magic wand like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kaahin Kissii Roz from Ektaa’s creative bank.