ITV

Tag: Ashwini Dhir

  • Sony SAB launches Beechwale – Bapu Dekh Raha Hai

    Sony SAB launches Beechwale – Bapu Dekh Raha Hai

    Sony SAB has always created shows that deliver happiness to their viewers. Be it with the storyline, sets or the cast, the channel provides viewers their daily dose of entertainment. Adding another feather to its cap, Sony SAB launches its brand-new fiction offering – ‘Beechwale – Bapu Dekh Raha Hai’, a story based on the daily struggles, hopes, celebrations and societal pressures of the middleclass in India.
    The show premieres on October 2, Monday to Friday at 10 PM only on Sony SAB.
    Produced and Directed by Ashwini Dhir, Garima Vision, Beechwale – Bapu Dekh Raha Hai is the story of a person from middle-class India, stuck between his values and aspirations. He dreams of having a big house, fancy car and enjoying foreign trips, but is held back by his limited income and the need to do the right thing. The show revolves around Bobby Beechwale played by Zakir Hussain, the key protagonist, who is part of a joint family, Bobby’s 70-year old father (Mithilesh Chaturvedi) and 92-year old Dadaji (Jagdish Kawal), addressed as ‘Bapuji’. Dadaji used to be a freedom fighter, working along with, Mahatma Gandhi, always finding himself in the middle of all problematic situations. Hence, he received the upadhi of ‘Beechwale’ from him that he happily started using as his last name.
    Bobby runs a spare parts shop and a garage. Being a responsible elder son in the family, he cares for his family’s well-being. He allows for some jugaad in his life to make things happen faster to benefit all without putting anyone in harm’s way. Bobby’s wife, Chanchal Beechwale, played by Ananya Khare, is a fickle minded person, always desiring for things beyond her limit and buying them on EMI or nagging her husband to buy those for her.
    Bobby’s younger brother, Puppy Beechwale, played by Manoj Goyal is a sales executive and a proud Gandhian by principle. Puppy’s wife, Sheetal Beechwale, played by Ankita Sharma is a dominating, modern new-age woman and a tad lazy about household chores. The cast also includes pivotal characters such as Rita (Shubhangi Gokhale), Chanchal’s mother, and Raju (Rajeev Pandey) Chanchal’s jugaadu brother. Just like in the past, the Beechwale family still seeks answers of all their problems from ‘Bapuji’.

    Comments:
    Neeraj Vyas, Business Head, Sony SAB, PAL, Hindi Movies and Music:
    “Our brand-new offering, Beechwale – Bapu Dekh Raha Hai, is all about the trials and tribulations of the middle class person who is stuck between his aspirations and values. The show has a stellar cast and an interesting storyline. With Beechwale, we continue to fulfill our promise of Haste Raho India to our viewers, offering relatable content that the entire family can watch and bond over.”
    Ashwini Dhir, Writer, Producer & Director, Garima Vision:
    “The struggles of a middle-class man are no secret. Not only will every viewer connect with Beechwale but will also beautifully reveal how every member of the Beechwale family is different and has different set of issues, ranging from moral to financial. It is a show that is very close to our hearts. We have a talented cast on board along with a robust storyline and we can’t wait for the show to go on air.”

    Watch Aam Aadmi Ki Anokhi Kahani in Beechwale – Bapu Dekh Raha Hai from October 2,
    Monday to Friday at 10 PM only on Sony SAB

  • Zee hopes for a miracle with ‘Neeli Chhatri Wale’

    Zee hopes for a miracle with ‘Neeli Chhatri Wale’

    MUMBAI: From theatre to film and now the small screen, the story of a common man coming face-to-face with God one day has come full circle.

     

    Zee TV’s next weekend fiction show ‘Neeli Chhatri Wale’ is about a man who has the privilege of meeting and befriending God.

     

    Produced by Ashwini Dhir, the show which tells a story of Bhagwan Das played by Yashpal Sharma, will start from 30 August and air on Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm. Bhagwan Das, a middle-aged, middle class man based out of Kanpur is constantly torn between his personal and professional life. One day, a smartly dressed man carrying a blue umbrella emerges, a man who embodies Lord Shiva.

     

    What is noticeable is that the shows, ‘Bh se Bhade’ and ‘Gangs of Hasseepur’ aired on the same slot haven’t done well for the channel. Currently, the channel telecasts special programming and movies on weekends.

     

    “Yes, we agree that earlier shows haven’t worked and ‘Bh se Bhade’ wasn’t a good effort from our side. However, the current programme looks very promising and should be able to catch people’s attention,” says a highly placed source from Zee TV.

     

    The light-hearted drama can be compared to Akshay Kumar – Paresh Rawal starring ‘OMG, Oh My God’ where Kumar essayed the role of Lord Krishna.

     

    The show has already got presenting partner in Karbonn and promos have broken on television along with digital promotion on social media. To create buzz before it launches, the channel sent out cupcakes to journalists as well.

     

    On the marketing front, the channel is leaving no stone unturned to promote exploratory relationship between man and God as friend. Making it a complete family unifier, the marketing word is based on the philosophy that ‘God lies within us’ all we have to do is listen to our inner voice.

     

    The concept of the show is being promoted using a media mix of print, radio and a comprehensive television plan comprising a bouquet of channels spread across genres.

     

    A three phase digital campaign has been planned to engage with its digital audience. The first part of the digital campaign started with #MyInnerVoice which the channel claims was very well received by consumers.

     

    All the marketing initiatives will aim at making God accessible to one and all by spreading the message of ‘Listen to your #InnerVoice’.

     

    Through the series, the channel aims to revamp its weekend slot. However, media planners are a little apprehensive. “Earlier too the slot with fiction shows hasn’t worked well for the channel and with competition showing Yo Yo Honey Singh, it looks like a tough battle to win. Zee should continue to air movies or special programmes,” says a planner.

     

    Having said that, another planner doesn’t want to strike the new show out and feels that movies and plays on the same theme have worked well and if told properly, the series might be able to grab eyeballs.