ITV

Tag: Hitler Didi

  • Zee Smile set for a revamp; Shailja Kejriwal to head

    Zee Smile set for a revamp; Shailja Kejriwal to head

    MUMBAI: Zee Network’s dead channel, Zee Smile is all set to ‘smile’ again. After more than a decade of its launch (September 2004), the network aims to get the channel up and running again.

     

    According to sources close to the development, Zee Smile is set for a revamp in the coming months and Zeel chief creative head – special projects Shailja Kejriwal will head the project. She can also be credited for launching general entertainment channel (GEC), Zindagi last year for the Indian diaspora. 

     

    With the revamp, the channel is trying to move away from tear jerkers. It aims to bring the fraternity of television and theatre together. Sources from the industry say, “The channel, with the revamp, aims to grab attention of niche audience. Owing to that fact, Zee Smile will be televising plays.”

     

    Shot like a TV series, the channel will have plays across languages dubbed in Hindi. A source within the network further confirms the development and reveals that the planning for the channel’s revamp had begun in December 2014. 

     

    Moreover, the theatre groups are also planning to travel across states like Punjab and Orissa amongst others to bring in visibility. “The artists have been rehearsing for close to three months before going on-floors. The shoot is likely to take place in the month of April. Research has also taken place parallely,” reveals a media planner. 

     

    “It is a good initiative taken by the network. Additionally, it aims to tap into the international markets, which is a plus point for theatre artists. They will get a good platform to showcase their talent across which they otherwise fail to get,” says a senior executive from a production house.

     

    Kejriwal was unavailable for comment when contacted.

     

    At present, the channel has no original shows in its baskets. It only airs reruns of popular drama series of its sister channel Zee TV such as Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Hitler Didi, Tumhari Disha, Woh, Pavitra Rishta and Hum Paanch.

  • Zee TV tries to recapture the 8.30 pm slot with Do Dil…

    Zee TV tries to recapture the 8.30 pm slot with Do Dil…

    MUMBAI: Indian soaps have in the past brought stories from the big screen to the small screen and Zee TV is doing so for its upcoming show – Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se. The story – loosely based on the Hollywood film The Bodyguard – revolves around the adjustments one needs to make in his/her married life. Do Dil…will replace the long-running Hitler Didi from 12 August at 8.30 pm.

     

    The 8.30 pm slot is reportedly not a big one for most Hindi GECs and apart from apart from Sab’s Tarak Mehta ka oolta chasma and Madhubala ek ishq ek junoon on Colors, the others aren’t getting high ratings.

     

    However, Zee is optimistic about its upcoming primetime drama which delves a little deeper into the heart of a woman who marries a man who is unequal to her in every respect. The story unfolds in Jodhpur where Shivani and Raghu share a master – servant equation, respectively. Circumstances conjure up a situation where Shivani, the girl born to riches is married to an underprivileged Raghu.

     

    Says Zeel content head Ajay Bhalwankar: “The beauty of Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se is its simplicity. The protagonists from two different backgrounds had different dreams while destiny etched out quite another plan for them. Raghu and Shivani are suddenly bound together by the design of destiny. It’s a wonderful and poignant story that showcases Raghu and Shivani’s journey from resistance to acceptance and embracing their destinies.”

     

    Producer Kalyan ‘Pintoo’ Guha and his wife Rupali of Film Farm Productions have signed on an impressive cast for the show. Says Rupali: “It’s with Zee TV that we began our television journey. We had produced Chausat Panne followed by Tumhari Disha and Rakhi. It’s an honor to produce our next show for Zee TV.”

     

    Arhaan Behl will enact the role of Raghu and Mansi Shrivastav will play the female lead, Shivani. Shivani’s grandfather will be enacted by veteran actor, Alok Nath as Balwant Rana. Rucha Gujarati and Vikas Sethi will be seen as Mahima and Jaswant Rana (Shivani’s bhabhi and bhaiyya) respectively.

     

    At the time of telecast, the drama series will be having 10 episodes in the can. There are two sets at Elora Studios, Dahisar – one being Raghu’s house with the second being Shivani’s house.

     

    The channel promises to go big on digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Apart from that the launch campaign of the show will include the use of audio visual mediums such as TV, DTH and cable in the Hindi speaking markets (HSM). Differentiated properties will be used in DTH such as shifting LCN, whereby a new channel will be created between any two existing channels where the show-related content will be telecast, and live streaming where as soon as one switches on their TV set and set top box, they will be diverted to the channel. Dish TV and Airtel subscribers will be able to experience this on the show’s launch day. Marketing initiatives have also been aligned around upcoming movies like Chennai Express.

     

    Media professionals say that Do Dil will do well, if the storyline and treatment is gripping and that is maintained through its life cycle. . Explains Maxus national director (insights) Priti Murthy: “Today there are two kinds of storylines which grace the screen – progressive and regressive. If the show has “entertainment” value and is able to excite the people it will work. It doesn’t matter if the show is old school or not. It should be able to excite people.”

     

    The folks at Zee TV and Film Farm clearly have their task cut out for them.