ITV

Tag: Deepak Rajadhyaksha

  • Colors Marathi rings in the new year with two new shows

    Colors Marathi rings in the new year with two new shows

    MUMBAI: In line with its brand ethos of Navi Umed, Navi Bharari, Colors Marathi is all set to ring in the new year early with the launch of two new shows – Jai Jai Swami Samarth, and Sakkhe Shejari.

    Jai Jai Swami Samarth is a period drama presenting the life story of Swami Samarth and goes on-air from 28 December 2020, Monday to Saturday at 9:30 pm. The serial will showcase theories, philosophies and lesser-known life stories of Swami Samarth that hold true even today and continue to be the guiding light.

    Sakkhe Shejari, with Venky’s Purotein as special partner, is a first of its kind television non-fiction family show to be televised from 11 January 2021. The programme will see sets of neighbours compete with each other in a series of tasks and challenging situations to finally win the title of ‘best neighbours.’ India has a unique concept of ‘neighbours’ who have been living in the same society for so many years, that they are closer and more connected than blood relatives. The show will celebrate and honour the true bond between neighbouring families and cover various aspects such as respect, trust, belongingness, pride and selflessness.

    Colors Marathi programming head Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “Maharashtra is a land full of rich history and cultural values. At Colors Marathi, we have been entertaining our viewers with content that is culturally rich and resonates with every Maharashtrian household’s values. Drawing synergies from our lockdown learnings, our aim is to deliver the best stories to our audiences. From fiction dramas to contemporary stories and big-ticket non-fiction shows to adopting international formats, our versatile portfolio has helped us position ourselves as the most preferred destination for meaningful stories with entertainment. With the launch of these two new shows, we will further strengthen our line-up, both in the fiction and non-fiction categories. With these new offerings, we are hopeful to create an impact and further enrich our audiences with memorable experiences.”

    With the addition of these two new shows to its existing line-up of Balumamachya Navana Changbhala, Sundara Mana Madhye Bharali, Chandra Ahe Sakshila, Sukhi Mansacha Sadara, Raja Ranichi Ga Jodi, Jeev Zala Yeda Pisa, Colors Marathi continues to provide compelling and meaningful stories to establish newer heights in the Marathi television industry.

     

     

     

     

  • Zee TV the leader amongst GECs

    Zee TV the leader amongst GECs

    MUMBAI: As per the recently released BARC HSM weekly data (Urban + Rural) for week 20 ’18, Zee TV has claimed the top position in Hindi GEC space with 316640 impressions in HSM and 199155 impressions in urban markets and saw a robust growth across its primetime fiction shows. The channel continued to be a leader for four consecutive weeks with an average of 327938 impressions’ 000 in HSM.

    Despite the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Zee TV remained unaffected and was the only channel that grew 3% during the season. It was also No. 1 in prime time with 182894 impressions in ‘000 on the back of its top shows including Kundali Bhagya, Kumkum Bhagya and Ishq Subhaan Allah. The channel was also the leader across its primetime slots from 9:00 P.M. to 11:30 P.M. on weekdays with its shows – Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Ishq Subhan Allah, Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se and Jeet Gayi Toh Piya Morre and weekends 9:00 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. with DID Li’l Masters.

    Commenting on the ratings, Zee TV, Deputy Business Head, Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “The continuous success of our fiction and non-fiction offerings is truly overwhelming. Zee TV has grown by leaps and bounds on the back of interesting concepts and storylines and our success stands proof to our steadily strengthening relationship with our viewers. We are extremely thrilled to be the number one Hindi general entertainment channel and humbled by the constant support of our partners and audience.”

  • Rajeev Khandelwal begins new innings with chat show on Zee TV

    Rajeev Khandelwal begins new innings with chat show on Zee TV

    MUMBAI: The makers of popular chat show Koffee with Karan are back with a new one. Bringing back Rajeev Khandelwal in a new chat show is Zee TV with Juzzbatt…Sangeen Se Namkeen Tak. Co-produced by Sandip Sikcand Telefilms and Sol, the show will premiere on 5 May and will air on weekends at 7 pm.

    Khandelwal, who was last seen in ALTBalaji’s original Haq Se, is returning to television after three years. After anchoring the controversial show, Saach Ka Saamna, the new show promises to take audiences on an exhilarating whirlwind ride. The show is likely to also be shown on its digital platform Zee5.

    “The show will reveal the journey of celebrities from what they were to what they are now in their respective fields. It will be a mixture of drama and reality. There is no exact format for this show because every person comes with a different story irrespective of who they are. Every show, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, has got a different texture. Likewise, in this show every person has got a different story to tell. So there can’t be any proper format.  And also there will be a surprise element in each episode,” said Zee TV deputy business head Deepak Rajadhyaksha.

    “Though Zee makes content for every category of audience, this time the primary target audience will be women between 30 and 40 years of age,” he added. In keeping with the channel’s brand philosophy, ‘Aaj Likhenge Kal’, this weekend primetime offering is going to be a 26-episode series.

    A while ago, Zee TV celebrated its 25th anniversary and this show is one special offering for audiences. “We had a celebrity chat show many years back called Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, but this time we thought of coming up with something that we haven’t done before. Though Juzzbazz will have some glimpses of Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, it’s not a carbon copy of it,” said Rajadhyaksha. Commenting on marketing strategies, he said that focus will be on social media, print, radio and outdoor.

    Sol co-producer Fazila Allana said that the show will mainly rope in TV actors as they haven’t been given their due. “Their fans are very curious to know as to who the people behind these celebs are. Juzzbaat is trying to make audiences see the real human beings the actors are behind the TV. The celebrities are no different than us. They pretty much face the same challenges in their daily lives that we face,” she said.

    The choice of anchor couldn’t have been better than Khandelwal who has an aura that people trust. “He is such a face whom people don’t often see on television. But at the same time he is experienced, mature and is in that stage of his career where he knows a lot of people – old and the new ones. It’s necessary that the host should know more people so that the guests can open themselves freely,” she added.

    Some of the faces that will be seen on the show include Rohit Roy, Ronit Roy, Divyanka Tripathi, Vivek Dahiya and Dheeraj Dhoopar.

    Also read:

    Zee Anmol leads GEC (U+R) in BARC week 16

    Zee, Turner to work independently for subscription revenue

  • Zee TV’s ‘Ishq Subhan Allah’ year’s second highest weekday fiction launch across GECs

    Zee TV’s ‘Ishq Subhan Allah’ year’s second highest weekday fiction launch across GECs

    MUMBAI: Zee TV recently put the spotlight on Triple Talaaq with its new fiction show Ishq Subhan Allah introducing viewers to the turbulent love story of Zara (Eisha Singh) and Kabeer (Adnan Khan) – an Islamic couple dealing with the issue first-hand. Raising pertinent questions about women having a say in the system of divorce and sending out a strong message of women’s empowerment, the show opened with 8460 impressions (‘000s) in HSM and 5346 impressions (‘000s) in Urban markets. This milestone opening gives the show the leadership position in the 10pm slot and the pedestal of being the second highest opening weekday fiction show of the financial year amongst pay Hindi GECs, second only to Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya that had opened with 5796 impressions (‘000s) @ HSM- Urban in its launch week.  

    Commenting on the ratings, Zee TV, Deputy Business Head, Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “In keeping with our brand philosophy Aaj likhenge Kal, it is our constant endeavor to present viewers with progressive stories that are not only entertaining but also provoke them into thinking differently, get inspired, take charge of their destiny and work towards an extraordinary future. With Ishq Subhan Allah, we bring audiences the love story of a Muslim couple where the man and woman beg to differ on matters of interpreting and applying religion to their daily lives. We have dwelled into the issue of Triple Talaaq which was never spoken about in a prime-time fiction show. The response that the show has received in its opening week stands testimony to the the universal applause and the warm welcome given to the show by Indian audiences.”

    Year 2018 has started on an upbeat note for Zee TV with each of its fiction launches bringing forth a strong message inspiring the masses to introspect and question prevalent mindsets.  Be it Aapke Aa Jane Se that questioned whether an older woman needs a license to love a younger man or Kaleerein that highlighted the sad reality of Indian society expecting women to change for marriage,  each of the channel’s new propositions have resonated very strongly with the great Indian middle class. With the all-round acceptance of the path-breaking Ishq Subhan Allah, Zee TV sure seems to be leveraging the strong brand equity it has built in the Muslim social drama space that it pioneered with the immensely successful Qubool Hai that ran into three glorious seasons.  

  • Zee TV unveils the top 16 contestants of the fourth season of DID Li’l Masters

    Zee TV unveils the top 16 contestants of the fourth season of DID Li’l Masters

    MUMBAI: Zee TV, over the past 25 years, has been at the forefront of providing a platform to the talent of India’s common man and opening up a world of opportunities for the truly deserving. Amongst its home-grown non-fiction formats, Dance India Dance has established itself as one of the biggest talent hunt shows of all times. Giving dance its due respect, Dance India Dance has revolutionized the art form in India, making it a mainstream career choice for millions. After having begun the year entertaining audiences with the superlative talent of India’s young adults, it’s time for the country’s youngest generation to put on their dancing shoes and take center-stage as ‘Amul DID Li’l Masters powered by Lifebuoy’ premiered on Zee TV on 3rd March. A perfect reflection of Zee TV’s core philosophy Aaj Likhenge Kal, the show gives wings to the aspirations of young dance enthusiasts, empowering them to take charge of their destiny and pursue their passion for dance. Having introduced viewers to talent like Faisal Khan, Harpreet, Jeetumoni and Teriya Magar amongst many others, DID Li’l Masters, in its latest season, celebrates the unmatched dancing talent that sets ‘Blockbuster Bacche’ apart from the ordinary, lending them an instant following and a celebrity status. Having aired episodes showcasing the exciting auditions, DID Li’l Masters is all set to reveal its top contestants in the upcoming weekend’s episodes.  The ultimate celebration of dance, DID Li’l Masters airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM only on Zee TV! The show is produced by Essel Vision Productions ltd.

    Like every action-packed season filled with priceless moments, DID Li’l Masters is living up to its promise of being truly dhamakedaar and blockbuster. This time around, it’s not only the blockbuster bacche that will take audiences by storm.  Guiding, coaching and mentoring the little dance prodigies through their journey on the show are two reality TV debutantes who’re making a transition from Bollywood to the small screen.  With everything from critically acclaimed films to widely popular dance numbers under her belt, the gorgeous Chitrangada Singh has floored audiences with her looks, charm, acting prowess and dancing ability. Having cemented his position as a master story-teller and a multi-faceted director, Siddharth Anand will add yet another feather to his cap,  with his debut as judge on the show. Together along with ace choreographer Marzi Pestonji who has been an integral part of the DID family across seasons, they will help the talent strike a perfect balance between dance and drama in their performances. Motivating the kids every step of the way, choreographing their routines and polishing their acts are the show’s skippers Vaishnavi Patil, Tanay Malhara, Jeetumoni Kalita and Bir Radha Sherpa –  each of who have risen from the very same platform. Adding some tongue-in-cheek wit, spontaneity and comic relief to the show are its talented host duo- Jay Bhanushali who continues his association with DID and child comedienne Tamanna who had viewers in splits when she shot to fame on Zee TV’s India’s Best Dramebaaz.

    Zee TV, Deputy Business Head, Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “With a strong legacy of creating stars out of India’s common man through our varied homegrown non-fiction formats, Zee TV launched Dance India Dance back in 2009. The franchise has only grown ever since and transcended the boundaries of being a mere reality show and changed the landscape of dance in the country, cutting across age groups through its extensions like Li’l Masters and Super Moms.  In fine sync with our brand philosophy Aaj Likhenge Kal, the previous seasons of DID Li’l Masters have enabled young talent in the country to leverage their dancing talent and build an extraordinary future in the field of dance. Through a slew of opportunities and the right kind of exposure, the show has given birth to an all-new breed of young budding dancing superstars who have emerged as names to reckon with in the entertainment fraternity. The new season of DID Li’l Masters celebrates the kind of superlative dancing talent that separates the blockbuster kids from the ordinary and wins them an instant celebrity status. In fact, a Bollywood Blockbuster aura has been created around the new season through all its communication, brand imagery and a season-long Bollywood theme. The format now enables the contestants to perform as solos, duos and groups, exploring and establishing the latest trends, forms and styles in the dance circuit. And, as we welcome this season’s Top 16 contestants, we wish them luck and hope that their dance journey brings them the fame and recognition that they deserve.”

    Commenting on her TV debut as a judge on DID Li’l Masters, Chitrangada Singh said, “Dance has always been my passion and as an actor in our film industry, dance has played a big role in my journey. I think of dance as a form of expression and a medium to tell stories. We’re probably the only culture that manages to beautifully integrate dance into our films and it even takes the story forward, adding its own unique flavor. As judge on DID Li’l Masters, I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge pertaining to the importance of expressions and grace in dance with the contestants, especially the Top 16, as they progress through the season. I am enjoying my stint completely as it has given me an opportunity to experience, first-hand, the amazing pool of talent in our country, the young children whose incredible talent promises to shape our future to build a better tomorrow!”

    Bollywood director Siddharth Anand who has joined the judges’ panel this year said, “On the set of my film, in a way, I also judge talent, and direct them. There, it’s my vision. Here, there’s a creative director with whom I have extensive discussions on what their vision is for the show and what they want to portray. I love the passion that this team has; it matches the passion that I have for my work,” says Siddharth, who has done his homework through extensive workshops of dance.” Speaking of the kind of talent he is looking for in the show, he said, “I will take a holistic approach and will be looking at the stories that they are trying to tell through their dance, expressions, costumes, overall presentation and how well they use the stage. I’ll leave the technicalities to my co-judge Marzi.”

    Ace choreographer Marzi Pestonji further added, “DID Li’l Masters is about etching the future of dance in our country. The show serves as a great medium for budding young talent, honing their skills to become experts in this field. The winners of the show, over the years, have experienced tremendous fame in the industry and achieved new heights in their career. I am thrilled to continue to be a part of this journey and present the next generation of dancing sensations. This season’s contestants truly have what it takes to make the country dance to their tunes!”

    After months of grueling auditions held in every nook and corner of the country, DID Li’l Masters is all set to announce its Blockbuster Top 16 Bacche who will find their training ground with the skippers as they are divided under ‘Tanay Ke Tigers’, ‘Bir Ke Baahubali’, ‘Jitumoni Ke Jaanbaaz’ and ‘Vaishnavi Ke Veer’. While Tanay Ke Tigers ace in dance styles like popping animation with bone breaking, krumping and contemporary, Bir Ke Baahubali shine in freestyle and contemporary, and Jitumoni Ke Jaanbaaz outperform everyone in lyrical hip-hop and freestyle, Vaishnavi Ke Veer excel in Kathak and Bollywood hip-hop. Forming a part of Tanay Ke Tigers are AP Rockers (from Ramtek, Nagpur), Mann R Patel and Amit Delwani (from Morni, Rajkot), Brinda Dahal (from Nepal) and Soorya Sreejith (from Trivandrum). Joining Bir Ke Baahubali are Stacie Valerie Mawrie (from Shillong), Gautam Dance Studio (from Bhubaneshwar), Abhinav Arun (from Kolam) and Tamman Gamnu (from Itanagar). Ready to shake the dance floor through Jitumoni Ke Jaanbaaz are RDA Crew (from Gomia, Jharkhand), Urva Bhavsar (from Ahmedabad), Satyam Rai and Fire Stepper Crew (from Faridabad). And, making their dance dreams come true as Vaishnavi Ke Veer are twins Tanya and Tanisha, Rohan Thapa (Nepal), Beat Boys India (from Indore) and Jiya Thakur (from Hyderabad).

  • Zee TV questions why a bride should have to enrol in a grooming school and change herself before she gets married through its new offering ‘Kaleerein’

    Zee TV questions why a bride should have to enrol in a grooming school and change herself before she gets married through its new offering ‘Kaleerein’

    It’s said that marriage is not a destination but a journey two people set out on together. It is all about finding perfections in each other’s imperfections rather than getting your partner to change as per your own personal preferences. So, then why should a girl change herself or portray herself to be someone she is not, only to land a suitable match in the marriage market? If the foundations of your rishtaa are laid by saying that you can swing a party for 15 guests at home at a 1-hour-notice or by claiming that you are proficient at 19 different cuisines (when you can barely cook to save your life!) or pretending that you don’t wear western outfits or that you have no career aspirations and are content with just tending to the upkeep of the entire sasuraal, you are just setting yourself up for failure. Drawing insights from this concept, Zee TV is all set to launch a new fiction offering, Kaleerien – the story of Meera, a small-town girl from Punjab, who chooses to assert her individuality against the reality of bride grooming schools that are mushrooming all over Punjab; schools that prescribe a bucket-list of must-have qualities for a bride to land the perfect groom. A free-spirited girl who wants to live life on her own terms, Meera values her uniqueness and is in search of a suitor who will accept her for the person she truly is. In keeping with its brand philosophy – Aaj Likhenge Kal, Zee TV, through Kaleerein, continues to provide a glimpse into the life and aspirations of the common man and the stereotypes they break to shape an extraordinary tomorrow. Kaleerein is co-produced by Nikhil Sinha and Priya Mishra of Triangle Films and will go on air starting 5th February 2018 and air every Monday to Friday at 7:30 pm on Zee TV.

    Making her debut as the effervescent Meera will be debutante Aditi Sharma while popular actor Arjit Taneja will be seen as the male protagonist in the show.

    Zee TV, Deputy Business Head, Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “We started 2018 on a high note with the launch of Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se, a mature, unconventional love story that has been received well by audiences. Keeping the momentum going and upping the ante on entertainment, we are excited to bring our audiences another progressive concept that is in keeping with our brand philosophy Aaj Likhenge Kal. The most basic question our show Kaleerein throws up is – does a woman need to change or acquire specific attributes in order to find a suitable match and enter the institution of marriage? If a man doesn’t need to undergo any form of grooming to be a bridegroom, why are we commoditizing brides through bride grooming schools? Meera’s intriguing story will highlight how getting married to an ‘ideal’ groom is the beginning of a new and very crucial chapter in a woman’s life that should be built on the foundation of transparency and mutual understanding rather than pretense and hard-sell. The message we wish to put out there is that that the institution of marriage should not come with a tag of ‘demands’ for a bride but should signify ‘freedom’ and ‘happiness’. Girls all over the world should not have to change themselves in order to find their perfect match. Through the show, we urge young brides to take charge of their destiny and find a groom of their liking who accepts them for who they are and not for who they are forced to become.”

    Triangle Film Productions, Co- producer, Priya Mishra said, “Marriage is undoubtedly the most sacred bond shared between two individuals; it is based on love, trust and honesty. Every girl dreams of having a perfect married life. This inadvertently pushes them to make many sacrifices and adjustments as they starts a new chapter in their life. But that does not mean that she needs to change everything she stands for and believes in to become the perfect wife. Kaleerein, through its light-hearted narrative, analyses societal pressures put on women to change themselves in order to bag the perfect groom. The show will showcase Meera’s approach to various situations from a very different lens and how she handles the pressures put on her to get married.  We have consciously named the show Kaleerein because it signifies good wishes and a happy beginning for a bride and not a ploy to rob her of her identity. This show is our first outing with Zee TV and we are looking forward to a great start to our association.”

    Actor Aditi Sharma who essays the lead role of Meera said, “In our country, girls are expected to groom themselves and imbibe ‘expected’ qualities and skills before they embark on this new journey with their man. Meera stands out from the rest because she refuses to lose her identity in this whirlpool of societal pressures surrounding marriage. Meera’s character is very real; she is the modern millennial Indian woman who doesn’t wish to conform to the stencil of the perfect Indian bride, refusing to put up an act that will impress the ideal suitors.  These ideologies resonate very strongly with me because, just like her, I too believe in living life on my own terms without giving in to societal pressure. Meera’s independent and individualistic demeanour are what attracted me to Kaleerein, and I hope that I am able to drive positive change in the viewers’ mindsets.”

    Actor Arjit Taneja who essays the role of Vivaan said, “Kaleerein offers a very important perspective about marriage and the pressures women deal with while their families are on the lookout for the perfect groom. My character, Vivaan, is an NRI hailing from Punjab who has certain expectations from his life partner and wants his wife to meet them. A shrewd businessman, Vivaan’s character is very intriguing and quite different from the roles I have played in the past. I am looking forward to this exciting experience and hope that the audience will accept me in this new endeavor.”

    As Meera dodges the hullabaloo surrounding marriage and faces many predicaments and dilemmas, will she be able to defy stereotypes and find a suitable groom for herself who loves her for the person she is?

  • ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ hits the 1000-episode milestone

    ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ hits the 1000-episode milestone

    MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor shows Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya have been working their magic for Zee TV since launch–the former since 2014. According to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), both shows have been ruling the roost across general entertainment channels (GECs) urban and rural (U+R) sectors. Since Kumkum Bhagya has completed the 1000-episode milestone, Zee TV has curated a catchy anthem ‘Meherbano’, thanking fans for their unwavering love and support. The celebration will be accompanied by a four-hour special marathon episode of the show starting from 6.30 pm on 15 January.

    Zee TV deputy business head Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “Kumkum Bhagya has moved beyond the confines of a TV show to become an integral part of our viewers’ lives.” He added that they present stories and characters that not only entertain but are relatable and inspiring.

    At the time of its launch in 2014, the show Kumkum Bhagya saw a distinct spike in viewership when the protagonists tied the knot, clocking in 7,405 TVTs. Coming back to the present, both the shows were among the top five Hindi GEC programmes in HSM (urban + rural) and HSM (urban). The flagship show has also been the reason for the rise of Zee’s free-to-air channel Zee Anmol, which was the top channel in BARC’s top-10 Hindi GEC channels for both urban + rural and rural markets in week 1.

    Both shows are directed by Sameer Kulkarni and developed by Balaji Telefilms’ Kapoor who continues to bet her money on the letter ‘K’. Kumkum Bhagya‘s popularity led Zee TV to approach Balaji with the idea of a spinoff series titled Kundali Bhagya, which portrays the lives of two long lost sisters or Pragya – Preeta and Srishti. “The intricate narrative of Kumkum Bhagya was such that it lent itself to developing the sub-plots of myriad characters, each sub-plot emerging into a full-fledged story of its own,” Rajadhyaksha said.

    With Kumkum Bhagya having created a benchmark in BARC’s top-five list, the question of whether to promote Kundali Bhagya or let it keep tapping into the elder’s popularity cropped up.“Kundali Bhagya enjoyed the rub-off effect of an already established, immensely popular franchise and, hence, initial sampling did certainly get a boost but the show had to hold its own steam on the merit of its own content from that point on,” he revealed.

    Moreover, introducing two family dramas, with the intention of exploring a parallel universe, made them relatable and the undisputed leaders of weekday primetime. Majority of the show’s viewership comes from females 15 years and above, led by family viewership.

    Given the immense fan following the show has built, the shows are expected to hold ground this year as well.

    Also Read :

    Zee TV’s ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ gives tough fight at 9 pm slot

    Kumkum Bhagya boosts Zee TV viewership across genres

  • Zee TV’s ‘Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se’ gets late night slot

    Zee TV’s ‘Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se’ gets late night slot

    MUMBAI: Zee TV is proving that it meant business when it spoke of its progressive new tagline ‘Aaj Likhenge Kal’ by introducing a new show wherein the girl is half the age of the man she is with. This time, it’s not the wife who’s younger.

    Premiering on 15 January 2018 is its latest offering Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se, slotted in for Monday to Friday at 10:30 pm, an unconventional romance that transcends the barriers of age, life stages and background.

    Produced by Bodhi Tree Productions’ Sukesh Motwani and Mautik Tolia, who are currently churning out Fear Files season two on Zee TV, the show’s edginess caused it to be given a late prime time slot. “It has a slightly adult appeal with a bold progressive concept. So, it makes sense to pick the 10.30 pm slot,” says Motwani.

    Each episode takes an investment of approximately Rs 7-8 lakh. Tolia says that reverse economics works in television. “Rather than us deciding the show budget and making a decision, we work on what the channel allocates. The budget varies as per different components such as time slot, star cast, etc.”

    The intellectual property (IP) right of the show is with Zee TV. Motwani says that owning IP rights is relevant only when you are creating something uniquely Indian or extremely universal, and which travel all over the world and adapted in other languages. A regular family drama doesn’t have the quality.

    Zee TV deputy business head Deepak Rajadhyaksha says that the show is meant to question the point that do people really need social sanction to fall in love. “The show asks us to pause and reassess our understanding of what makes a couple ‘suitable’ or ‘appropriate’. Many of us often go through life, forming opinions about who other people ought to form romantic relationships with. This is based largely on social conditioning dictats that are governed by traditional compatibility factors like age, gender, class, caste, financial background, lifestyles and culture. If they choose to get involved with someone who doesn’t fit any of these pre-conceived parameters, we are quick to judge them,” he says.

    It is an infinite series and 10 episodes are ready. The story is set in Kanpur while the shooting is in Mira Road, Mumbai. Some scenes will be shot in Bhopal for its scenic beauty.

    The show boasts of a stellar star-cast that comprises Suhasi Dhami and Karan Jotwani. Set against the backdrop of Kanpur, Aap Ke Aa Jaane Se chronicles the unique journey of Vedika and Sahil, two strikingly different individuals, hailing from diverse backgrounds, who fall in love irrespective of their substantial age difference. Vedika Mathur is a 42-year-old strong, independent single mother whose world revolves around tending to her own mother and her 15-year-old daughter. Sahil Agarwal, on the other hand, is a 24-year-old fun-loving, free-spirited young man whose thirst for living it up often compromises any semblance of a focus in life or any serious career aspirations.

    Bodhi Tree Productions has a big line up for the new year. While discussing their plans, Tolia says, “We are doing a lot of digital web series and have seven to eight digital properties in the pipeline for 2018 for various platforms. We are in advanced talks with Star, Sony, Discovery Jeet and others for daily soaps. For digital, we are in advanced talks with Vu Clip, Voot and Times. So, for this new year, we have 10 shows in the pipeline.”

    Motwani was doing fiction shows with Zee from 2009 to 2012 after which he quit and launched Bodhi Tree and the production house has initiated 22 shows in the last four years. It was of the producers of Fear Files season one on Zee, and also shows like Nisha and Uske Cousins for Star Plus, Bade Bhaiya Ki Dulhaniya for Sony, Tedhi Medhi Family for Big Magic, Big F two seasons for MTV and Channel V’s episodic shows. It has just completed the web show for Bindass Disney called Dil Buffering.

    Also Read :

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  • Zee TV’s new weekend detective drama costs 50% more to produce

    Zee TV’s new weekend detective drama costs 50% more to produce

    MUMBAI: Women empowerment is Zee TV’s new motto as it embraces the recently adopted brand philosophy – ‘Aaj Likhenge Kal’. Its latest weekend primetime show Detective Didi will attempt to inspire the girls of India by showing how Bunty Sharma chooses a bold career of a detective in a male-dominated field.

    Produced by Manik Bedi and Ila Bedi Dutta, the show is both set and shot in the bylanes of Delhi. Bedi, who has previously produced Hitler Didi, says that the investment is also 50 per cent more because of the location change. “The entire crew has been brought from Mumbai for the shoot. It’s an expensive experiment,” he says. The shooting schedule is one year and so planning is being done three months in advance.

    The local police are supporting the shoot as they cover iconic Delhi locations like Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, India Gate and Parliament House. “We are mobilising in a way that it is similar to shooting in Mumbai,” he adds.

    Zee TV deputy business head Deepak Rajadhyaksha says that the character demanded Delhi due to its different socio-cultural ethos and to give authenticity to the adventures. He agrees that shooting cost is higher but the channel can manage it.

    Following up Detective Didi’s new time slot of 8-9 pm on weekend, the channel will be opening more such slots. “There is no recipe for success and this show is a big experiment. What we can control are understanding sentiments, requirements and the aspirations and to portray them effectively through the shows,” says Rajadhyaksha.

    Similar shows on other channels target the 9 pm slot but Zee didn’t want to cater to a pure crime audience but rather those that can be relatable to and viewed by families. A few years ago, the channel experimented with Neeli Chhatri Waale at this time which took a dive in ratings after the initial hype. “Our new programming strategy is to provide three different entertainment types from 8-11/11.30 pm,” reveals Rajadhyaksha. If Didi makes a mark in one year, the channel may give the producers a longer lifeline. This is also Zee’s first attempt at a detective drama on the weekend.

    Rajadhyaksha says that Didi’s storytelling is different from others because of two episodes making one story. That leaves room for just the weekend slot. Bedi says this is better for producers since one topic will be explored on two consecutive days and so the recall value is higher. Zee TV was the one to decide the time slot for the show, which begins on 9 December. Bedi also explains that the success of a show doesn’t solely depend on the time slot, though that is a major factor.

    In the show, Bunty is assisted by a second character Bhim Singh Bhullar and it will attempt to be hilarious as the duo takes different routes to solve cases. Dutta says that Bunty is the reflection of many ambitious Indian women who don’t forget their family responsibilities. “She isn’t a professional detective. She is an amateur with an uncanny knack for spotting crime and arresting it in time. The emotional aspects of a situation help her in cracking a case.”

    The earlier name for the show was Delhi Crime Diaries but that would have made it Delhi-specific, says Dutta. Instead, the producers thought of using the common term ‘didi’ to make it relatable to the audiences.

    Detective Didi is being sponsored by Bagh Bakri Mili Chai, Flamingo Knee Cap and Pillsbury Cookie cake, special partner – Combiflam Icy hot. It is hunting for a title sponsor.

    Didi follows the lives of special agent Bhim Singh Bhullar and private detective Bunty’s journey, amidst their professional assignments, making way for some lighter moments while they investigate the city’s most baffling criminal cases. While Bhim is a jolly cop from the Delhi crime branch who investigates staying well within the rule book, Bunty takes matters into her own hands as she has no faith in the capabilities of the police. In the chase for who solves the case first, Bhim and Bunty, a man and a woman who can’t stand each other, fight tooth and nail to catch criminals and solve many interesting cases. Brilliant at their work and having their own individual strengths, they employ distinctly different methods while solving the same cases. But, when both Bunty and Bhim work together as a unit despite their differences, they seem to successfully solve cases with relative ease. Playing the dynamic character of Bunty Sharma is actor Sonia Balani while Manish Goplani will be seen stepping into the pivotal role of Bhim Singh Bhullar.