ITV

Tag: Kittie party

  • Not all Spanish as Hindi entertainment takes a reality check

    Not all Spanish as Hindi entertainment takes a reality check

    The year certainly belonged to the sindoor-n-saga joint family opiates (four years and counting); but it also saw the competition hotting up and general entertainment channels going in for a slew of fresh programming initiatives. The tried and trusted three premiere ‘K’ shows on Star Plus, Kyunki, Kasauti and Kahaani continued their uninterrupted run at the top of the ratings charts for the fourth year running. These shows were the engineon the back of which Plus’ other shows merrily rode along.

    For the others in the Hindi entertainment sphere, it was a hard grind to try and make a dent into the dominance that Hindi entertainment television’s lead channel continued to enjoy. Rivals Sony Entertainment and Zee TV, as too the reprogrammed and reinvented Sahara Manoranjan as Sahara One, didn’t take this lying down however. With newer programmes and formats across various time bands, they took the fight to Plus.

    Banking on the fact that viewer ennui for the weepy sagas would at some point kick in; Sony, Zee and Sahara One all tried to fortify their programming for Generation X with a more youth oriented focus. So 2004 was an action packed year, when newer attempts were made to enthrall couch potatoes from all SEC’s and TG’s across metros and towns. The reality genre made a splash with channels going all out to woo starry eyed youth. Auditioning for talent, with behind the scene footage made for good programming; also with the small screen getting more interactive with more SMS’s and phone ins.

    The year was abuzz with activity with soaps, comedies, dramadies (read Kareena Kareena; as the channel calls it) and supernatural thrillers were launched at a rapid pace and competition in various time slots heated up. The Monday to Thursday format reigned supreme, and Spanish tele-novellas adaptations came into their own.

    In spite of the drop in its TRP’s as the year wore on, plain Jane Jassi remained the trendsetter and inspired newer initiatives from leader Star Plus. Star launched their own plain Jane with Hello Dollie, a queen of clumsiness with frumpy hair and social embarrassment. Then there was, the overweight bespectacled protagonist Nikki, from Dekho Magar Pyar Se, who many felt had an uncanny resemblance to the Jassi format – ugly ducking turning into a beautiful swan.

    As all good things come to an end, one also saw the end of serials like Kahiin Kissi Roz, Kittie party, Lipstick. Karishma- The Miracles of Destiny, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam amongst others.

    The Hot Bands

    The year saw a major rehaul in the 8 to 9 pm band. To compete with Star’s rock solid Kasauti Zindagi Kay, Sony launched Cinevistaas’ Aayushman (8:30 pm), the story of a 17-year-old prodigy, who becomes a practicing doctor. Almost during the same day, the channel rolled out Miditech produced Hum 2 Hain Na, journey of two identical twin sisters, separated at birth, one a rich lonely girl and the other a middle class girl

    Rising to the Kasauti so-to-speak, arch rival Star Plus brought in a major twist in the script of Ekta’s Kasauti Zindagi Kay, by killing the main protagonist Anurag Basu keeping the loyal viewership rolling. The channel also rolled out a new daily (Monday -Thursday) Shrey Guleri produced Dekho Magar Pyar Se (8 pm) an Indianised version of a Spanish show My Sweet Fat Valentina. Out went four shows — Krishna Arjun, Kyun Hota Hai Pyarr, Khichdi (which was shifted to StarOne in a new avatar) and Son Pari.

    Zee launched Tumhari Disha a daily at 8 pm, a family drama revolving around the story of disha a young firl and the twists and turns of life.

    In the 9 to 10 pm band the old serials continued to rock, except for Zee’s Kareena Kareena (9:30 pm), a socio comedy launched in the latter part of the year; leaving the Ajai Sinha produced serial Astitva-Ek Prem Kahani to work its magic at 9 pm band. As of now Kareena seems like a big ticket for the channel to ride on, though it remains to be seen how the serial shapes up in the coming year.

    Plus meanwhile, further consolidated its position with its old serials Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, Kehta Hai Dil, Sanjivni and Saara Akash. On Sony, Kkusum, after its 20 year leap continued to hold steady even as Jassi lost a lot of its sheen as viewers got weary of the endless stretching of the plain Jane tale into the realms of the ridiculous.

    The battle to shift eyeballs in the other bands continued with Sony’s new show Yeh Meri Life Hain, the story of a vivacious Gujju girl, wanting to carve out a niche as a film director took on the 10 pm slot. The story perhaps struck a chord for many aspiring youngster who want to break from the traditional moulds and get on with dreams to make it big. To take on competition, SaharaOne launched Ravi Chopra’s Kamini Damini, with Hema Malini in the lead.

    Giving the male protagonists their due share, Zee launched Teen deewane love se anjane (10:30 pm). A totally different format, the serial is a story of three young men and about their love life and relationships.

    The weekend programming saw the return of Sony’s popular suspense thriller Aahat as Aahat2 to grip the viewers with more spine chilling stories. One also saw the launch of Kaalchakra on Star; a socio-thriller revolving around the supernatural.

    Afternoon Band

    The afternoon band further consolidated with Ekta Kapoor produced Kesar (2 pm) being launched while BAG Films’ afternoon show Kumkum Pyaara Sa Bandhan completed its rocking 500 episodes. Zee, went on to experiment with the afternoon band and launched ‘The Zee Woman’. Apart from the regular repeat soaps the channel also brought in fresh non-ficton programming for the woman of today. So, in between the programmes apart from the agony aunts, viewers also got interesting tips on health, Beauty, career options etc. The channel also launched Reth, the story of a middle class bahu and her fight to win back her honor after being gang raped. A rather strongly scripted show, but remains to be seen how it fares in the coming months.

    Reality Shows

    The Reality genre made a huge comeback in 2004; as channels managed to draw in audiences who don’t regularly feed on general entertainment soaps. SET’s desi version of Fremantle Media’s Pop Idol, Indian Idol was definitely the high point for the year gone by. With its fresh approach, the show managed to rake in ratings with the youth brigade crooning away. Though the later part of the year saw Idol’s ratings dip, the numbers of the last Friday of 2004 saw a huge upswing as the show entered the crucial gala rounds. If that upswing is sustained, 2005 should begin on an interesting note for Hindi entertainment’s Number Two channel.

    Then there were other initiatives by other channels. Close on the heels of Sahara’s Mr & Miss Bollywood, Zee, launched its India’s Best – Cinestars ki Khoj, where the hunt traveled across 20 cities in a short span of less than a month to millions who auditioned. Millions choose their favorite contestants by watching the reality show and voting for them. Star, meanwhile, threw up its own rival to Idols with Channel [V]’s Super Singer.

    The reality band wagon is only expected to gather even more pace as 2005 rolls on.

    Sahara Manoranjan as SaharaOne

    The year saw Sahara General entertainment channel being changed from Sahara Manoranjan to SaharaOne. One saw the end of the Bollywood Star led shows, Karishma -The Miracle of Destiny, Raveena Tandon’s Sahib Biwi Aur Gulam. The channel tried had tried to use these programmes to differentiate themselves in the 9-10 pm band, as other channels were not dominating those slots at that point. Though not strictly 2004 entries, the early months saw these shows create enough buzz if not TRPs and the latter part of the year saw the channel dumping the star shows.

    Some of the shows across different genres which have created enough buzz in the market include Kuch Love Kuch Masti (Clapstem Productions) and a chat show with Shobaa De Power Trip (PPC). The later part of the year one saw the launch of KAmini Damini. Remains to be seen how the show fares.
    StarOne – Redifining Viewership

    The Dil Chahta Hai Generation couldn’t ask for more, with the launch of StarOne. An alternate viewing strategy adopted by Star Plus, the programming clearly defined for the upwardly mobile metro younger audience. So, the viewers still continued their saas-bahus but in a different setting. So, we have Sarabhai vs Sarabhai a sitcom set in a quintessential Malabar Hill dysfunctional family; a show for men Dil Kya Chahta Hai, a light hearted look at the story of four men living in a city, the dreams, aspirations, attitudes and quirks of the four men. DKCH is a series that reflects life in a big city and what it means to be a man, with all its faults, failures and successes. The channel also offers non-fiction lifestyle programme like Body & Soul anchored by Ruby Bhatia, and the immensely popular comedy in a new avatar called Instant Khichdi.

    All in all, 2004 offered the first glimpses that Hindi entertainment was ready to explore new concepts and ideas through a sustained effort. 2005 promises even more by way of choices for the couch potato whose staple diet is Hindi entertainment fare.

  • Zee to phase out ‘Awaz’ in three weeks

    Zee to phase out ‘Awaz’ in three weeks

    MUMBAI: Zee’s most ambitious show for 2003 is winding up just seen months after it began with a bang. Awaz – Dil Se Dil Tak, that started in August last year on a high note, ends in the first week of March 2004 with a whimper.

    Awaz… will make way for Kaun?, a thriller show that premieres 7 March on Zee TV. Kaun? incidentally will be reruns of the popular Thriller at Ten, that was telecast on Zee in 1998-99. While insiders say Kaun? will be a repeat of the original at the outset, original episodes are likely to be added as the serial gathers steam.

    Kaun?, incidentally, is being launched almost at the same time that nearest rival Sony Entertainment Television plans to premiere its new Optimystix produced thriller show Yeh Life Meri Hai.

    Awaz…, produced by Zee favourite Gajendra Singh (who also does the long runnng Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) told the tale of a clutch of unrelated people who are thrown together by destiny when the aeroplane they are travelling in is hijacked and later crashes on an island. It recounts how their relationships go through a plethora of changes once all of them are rescued and return to their earlier lives.

    Awaz…, which displaced the Siddhant Cinevision produced Kittie Party from its 10 pm slot, did reasonably well in the earlier phase, but ratings started to fall as the story brought the characters back into their city lives, say sources. With Kaun?, a series that had different producers making independent episodic tales, Zee probably aims to bring back the viewers who had received it enthusiastically, as well as the ratings success that goes with it.

    Co producer of Awaz…., Ashwini Karandikar however professed ignorance of Awaz….’s impending departure, when contacted last week.

  • Zee’s ‘Kittie Party’ damsels to revel Egyptian style

    Zee’s ‘Kittie Party’ damsels to revel Egyptian style

    MUMBAI: ‘Walk like an Egyptian’ must be the song played at the next Kittie Party . Zee’s own chick flick will have an Egyptian kitty party for its next special on 26 January.

    The damsels Pixie (Achint Kaur), Manju (Poonam Dhillon), Tina (Shweta Salve), Rewa (Kavita Kapoor), Kuku (Deepshikha), Vidya (Maya Alagh), and Niloufer (Preeti Dayal) will let their hair down at the Egyptian party.

    A weekly, which airs from Sunday to Wednesday at 10:30 pm, has prior to the Egyptian party canned few theme parties like the kids party- where the protagonist dressed as and behaved like kids, Hawaiian party, and lavani party- where the leading ladies dressed up in nine-yard saris.

    An integral part of the show, kitty parties are setting for the women discuss the issues in their lives and revel in the camaraderie. In a theme party, a dress code is decided by the lady who organises the kitty party and all members have to dress up and join in for the party.

    The latest kitty party is at Pixie’s place and the episode ends on a sour note, unlike other theme parties. There is a major confrontation between Manju (Poonam Dhillon) and Rewa (Kavita Kapoor). For those not clued into the show, Manju was assumed dead. With Rewa provides both monetary and financial support to Manju’s husband Manoviraj (Kiran Kumar), an emotional bond develops between them and they decide to get married. However, Manju comes back on the day of their wedding, only to discover her husband’s marriage to Rewa. Thus arises a conflict. This party had the kitty ladies divided into two group one pro-Rewa and another pro-Manju.

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com Poonam Dhillon said, “This time, the theme party was less stressful compared to all the previous one. The main reason was that the Egyptian party did not demand costume revelry, unlike the other theme parties like lavani, where we ladies took nearly half a day to get ready.”

    Kavita Kapoor offered, “It was fun to have the entire gang after a long time. Normally, only a few of us are required for the shoot. I thought that it was a picnic- lots of jokes, sharing of food, back-slapping…”

    The Egyptian party was shot at Magnum Studios at Mumbai suburb Andheri for nearly two and half days.

  • Actor Mohan Kapoor is Zee V-P, inhouse programming

    MUMBAI: Television actor Mohan Kapoor, last seen in Kaahin Kissii Roz and Kittie Party, has joined Zee Telefilms Ltd as vice-president, inhouse programming.
    Kapoor told indiantelevision.com, “My job will involve designing software based for on-ground activities of the channel. My first focus is on the forthcoming Zee Cine Awards.”
    Kapoor’s significant break in television was with a game show called Saap Seedi. On being asked why he decided to turn to programming, he said, “I was dissatisfied with the work I was getting on TV. It was far below my expectations and potentials. I am capable of much bigger things in life. Acting on television is not creative anymore; it is driven by factors like market research, channel interference, writer’s ideas, director’s vision.”
    According to Kapoor the problem with TV is that at the end of the day, an actor has performed everything but through someone else’s vision. “An actor has become a mere puppet,” he complained.


    While Kapoor agreed that he has known Zee chairman Subhash Chandra Goel for many years now, he said, “But I underwent the entire selection procedure of their human resource tests, before I was finally approved for the post. Goel is a thorough professional and never grants favours.”
    Explaining his role as the Zee V-P in detail, Kapoor said, “I am looking at getting into the team which handles fiction and entertainment. I have told the higher-ups about it. According to them, it should materialise in the next six months.”

  • “Kittie Party women are all around us” : Tamara Nedungadi

    “Kittie Party women are all around us” : Tamara Nedungadi

    Tamara Nedungadi started off as an assistant editor in the late eighties to the veteran late Renu Saluja and went on to assist Ashutosh Gowarikar in direction in his pre –Lagaan days before she came on her own with a soap called Waaris on Zee TV.

    She went on to direct several episodes of the Shobhaa De penned Sukanya for B4U TV. After a brief lull when she was busy on the home front taking care of her little daughter, she is now back with another Shobhaa De serial, Kittie Party– which at the moment is being used by Zee TV as its trump card and is pitted against Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki.

    For someone who is handling some of the biggest stars on TV day in and day out, Tamara is incredibly unassuming. Her reaction to the positive responses her serial has generated is one of guarded optimism as she acknowledges the need for further improvement.
    Kittie Party interestingly, also has her working in tandem with her scriptwriter husband, Vinod Ranganath who is writing its screenplay. Excerpts of an interview Tamara gave to indiantelevision.com correspondent, Amar.

    How did you get into TV serial direction?
    I always wanted to be involved with the medium. I started off assisting the late Renu Saluja in editing. Renu however, would always tell me that I should assist someone in directing a movie and then involve myself with the editing of the same movie. This way I would learn things in a more rounded way. So, I assisted Pamela Rookes for Beatty's Children, where I was in charge of the costumes. My first independent assignment as director was Waaris.
     
    As director, which subjects appeal to you?
    I don't have any specific preferences. I like as many disparate subjects as I can work on except gory stuff and horror stories.
     
    "I am receptive to their point of view but I would never tamper with a scene to cater to someone's whims and fancies"
     
    What are the factors that you take into consideration before taking up a new project? What made 'Kittie Party' particularly appealing?
    Primarily I consider the subject, and the producer of the show. The subject should be one I can personally relate with, as well as put my own conviction into. As far as Kittie Party is concerned, the eight women appealed to me. Their characters are very relatable. It's like we see these women around us especially in urban society. .
     
    You are directing some of the biggest names on TV in this serial. Is it difficult handling stars? Do you have to pamper their egos?
    No, as director I have to set the right ambience. You have to be professional with them and they have to be professional with you. Luckily, all these stars, despite being big names are extremely well behaved and nice people. In any case, what does pampering their ego mean? I am receptive to their point of view but I would never tamper with a scene to cater to someone's whims and fancies.
     
    Are you satisfied with the way the show has shaped up? Is there anything you are working on to improve it further?
    Well, let me put it this way – I'm not disappointed. Kittie Party has got favourable responses from most quarters. Of course, there is always scope for improvement and we are looking at improving it on various fronts.
     
    There are suggestions that 'Kittie Party' has a limited niche appeal. Do you feel the same?
    No, I won't say it has a limited appeal. I would say that every household will be able to strongly relate with at least one of the main characters in the show. That is what makes it appealing overall.
     
    How does your background in editing help you as director?
    It saves a lot of time while shooting. There are times when I have worked backwards. For instance, if two characters are involved in a scene and one hasn't arrived on time, I have completed shooting the other actor's portions separately, because I know where exactly each shot has to be cut.
     
    As director, what are the factors you never compromise on while shooting?
    Primarily, on the performances. If I am looking at a certain level of performance, I don't compromise on it till I get it, no matter how much time it consumes. Another area where I don't compromise is on the look or feel I want a scene to have. If I want a certain prop to be there, I won't can the shot till it is there.
     

     

    "Many directors do not attach significance to the clap, but given the volume of pictures one has to can on TV, I believe it is imperative to treat it seriously "
     
    For the sake of aspiring directors, could you please dwell on the importance of clap and continuity?
    Clap on TV basically serves the purpose of earmarking each scene and helps in sequencing them later in the post production stage. Many directors do not attach the right significance to it but given the volume of pictures one has to can on TV, I believe it is imperative to treat it seriously.

    Continuity records are just as important to ensure there are no glitches in the scene. There are several continuity records- costume continuity, dialogue continuity – all of which should be carefully monitored. Being an editor I know how lapses in clap and continuity can make things difficult at the post production stage.
     
    Who are your favourite directors? What are the stylistic elements you have imbibed from them?
    I would say I have been inspired by the directors who I have assisted- Ashutosh Gowarikar and Gogi Anand. They are also both very particular when it comes to handling performances. Subconsciously, I have also imbibed their style of shot-taking but if you ask me to pinpoint anything specific, I wouldn't be able to do it off hand.
     
    As a writer- director couple how well do you both complement each other in your respective fields? Does it make work smoother?
    See, when we are working together, I don't think of Vinod as my husband. He is just another writer and I the director. I never interfere at the stage of writing. It's only after the first draft is ready that I give my inputs. I won't say work becomes smoother because in any case, I am very particular about detailing when it comes to scripts and I would call up any writer even at midnight if I have to clarify something.
     
    How do you handle performances? Do you personally enact scenes, especially for new actors?
    As far as senior actors are concerned, explaining a scene is sufficient. However, new actors are sometimes not able to understand the essence of a scene and in that case I enact the scene out. But such instances are rare because I feel that as far as possible an actor should first be allowed to do a scene his or her way.
     
    What do you look for in a person before taking him/her under your wing?
    The willingness to take on more responsibilities with a smile. I get put off by the passing the buck attitude. I started off as a costume co-ordinator and expect my assistants to take on varied responsibilities without any ego hassles.
  • “It’s not been instant and immense fame, but I am a very satisfied person today”

    “It’s not been instant and immense fame, but I am a very satisfied person today”

    The Parveen Babi look-alike Deepshikha is on a high right now – enjoying marriage, motherhood (she has a baby nearly three years old) and a career. Be it television or films, she has seen it all. As of now, she wants to persist with both avenues. “It’s not been instant and immense fame, but I am a very satisfied person today,” she tells Vickey Lalwani, running her hand through her silken tresses.

    Excerpts from a Q & A session on the sets of Kittie Party:
     

    Was getting into the glamour world your ambition?
    I know why you are asking this. Isn’t it because I am from a filmi background? In fact, I did not want to enter the glamour world. My ‘nanaji’ Vithaldas Panchotia gave a break to Ashok Kumar and Mehmood. My ‘mamaji’ was a cameraman, he did Teesri Manzil. My mom Shraddha was a heroine in Gujarati films. My dad Ashwin Kumar was a director in Bhojpuri, Gujarati and Hindi films. Since both my parents were very busy, my sister and I used to be all alone at home. The solitude was terrible. But my sister was keen to do something on the big screen. It so happened that my ‘nanaji’ took her to Dev Anand with whom he had worked in Gangster. I happened to accompany them. But Dev Anand selected me!
     

    Did you tell him that you were focussing on some other sphere?
    I did. He replied, “Do this role. If you don’t intend carrying on further, just push off later.” And then you know how it is. One film led to another. Then I did Barssat Ki Raat. Then, Dannyji called me for his serial Ajnabee. I refused. I did Raja Bundela’s serial Scandal. Dannyji called me again. I complied. After that, I did several serials. Cliched as it may sound, it just happened. I hadn’t planned my career. A few months later, I heard that Rakesh Roshan was hunting for a female for a role in Koyla. At that time, I was doing Tito Tony’s film Tiger. After Koyla, I was flooded with films like Badshah, Dillagi, and Rishtey. Now, I am doing Dukaan with Rati Agnihotri. The film dwells on the subject of flesh trade.

    And of course, I am managing serials as well- Kittie Party, Son Pari and Doli Leke Aayi Hai Dulhaniya. Now, I am also a part of Karishma- Miracles Of Destiny.
     

    What is your role in ‘Karishma-…’?
    I play Ayub Khan’s mistress, settled in Dubai. He has married me on the sly, without telling his wife Resham Tipnis, settled in India. He and Resham have two kids. I discover he has cheated me. I fly down to India and demand my rights. I enter the serial after three months. After that, I’ll be there throughout.
     

    Did your parents forbid you from entering this line?
    Never. In fact, I was the one who was sceptical. My parents would say: ‘If you carry yourself well, nobody can dare take you for a ride’.
     

    How did ‘Kittie Party’ happen?
    I know Manish Goswami very well. I had done Mr Mintu (Zee) and Abhimaan (DD) for him. I was shooting for Son Pari when he called me. When I heard him out, I immediately realized that this was the role which would bring me in the public eye. I was looking for the limelight which had thus far evaded me. I thanked Shobhaa De in advance. Obviously, she must have had some say in the casting. The role is so close to my actual self that I asked De what made her think of me for this role. She just smiled. I have done one other serial for Manish Goswami Productions. It’s titled Lekin. It will be on air on Star Plus, shortly. It’s the story of two brothers and one sister. I play the sister.
     

    What is so close about the ‘Kittie Party’ character to your actual self?
    Like Kuku, Deepshikha is an extremely frank and fearless person who goes out of the way to help others, but at the end of the day, gets kicked in the back. To tell you the truth, I was fed up of doing negative roles. I was screaming from the roof-tops that I could do positive stuff, but no one had heard me.
     

    Isn’t there any scope to perform and evolve in negative roles?
    I agree, but anything you do repeatedly gets monotonous and boring. That way, I had Son Pari in which I play a stupid girl who never realizes that she is being misguided by her brother and mom. And I am still enjoying doing that one. Still, I could sense that Kittie Party was going to be a big thing. It was just a gut feeling. Presently, I have the best of both worlds- Son Pari is giving me what I can never be, Kittie Party is giving me what I am. And then of course, there’s the biggie for Sahara (smiles triumphantly).
     
    How did ‘Sonpari’ happen?
    Neena Gupta wanted me in Palcchin. But I could not make it as I was leaving for London. She thought that I could fit in Son Pari too. The first thing I asked her was – ‘Is it a negative role?’. She said ‘No, your mother and brother are negative’. I signed on the dotted line. You would be surprised to know that the co-producer of the show, Anupam, had called me earlier for the same role and said that they had a negative role for me. I had refused point-blank. Neena realized via him that he had sent a wrong message, she called again to explain it in detail.
     
    Which have been the difficult scenes in ‘Kittie Party’ and ‘Son Pari’?
    In Son Pari, I hated playing ‘Medussa’- the witch. I don’t know why I was made a witch for some time. It was terribly irritating. I want to do different things, but please, I don’t want to become a witch. That garish make-up, eeks! Then, they made me Kaalipari, which was sicker than ‘Medussa’. Let me scream: I am playing Ruby in Sonpari, please let me be Ruby. As for Kittie Party, there hasn’t been any difficult scene. Being close to my actual self, I am cruising through the role.
     
    “There have been cases where I have had dumb directors in my career. In such cases, I have to put in extra effort. If the artiste is drained, the output has no colour”
     

    How important is the director to you?
    I don’t know about me, but if the director does not know his job, he has no business to don the director’s hat. There have been cases where I have had dumb directors in my career. In such cases, I have to put in extra effort.
    If the artiste is drained, the output has no colour. Like I remember once I did a scene where I was weeping. Hold your breath! The director asked the cameraman to take a long shot and the cameraman did exactly what was told to him! What sensitivity!
     

    You said you yearn for positive stuff. Would you like to play a goody-goody ‘bahu’?
    I would love to. But I don’t think that someone would cast me as such.
     
    Why?
    Because there’s a general feeling that I don’t look like an obedient girl. But tell me, who has it written on his face that he is obedient or disobedient? Actually, I had a good bahu’s role in a serial called Aurat. We shot four episodes and everything had been settled for telecast on Sony. Suddenly, the producer shifted his loyalty to DD Metro, saying that he would get more money. Eventually, the DD Metro deal did not happen and the show was stuck.
     
    How concerned are you about your look?
    I am, but in Kittie Party at least, we are given flexible options. We have to look upmarket, that’s all. So just take a good top and a pant, keep changing your hairstyle and lenses, that’s enough. I have done mythological serials like Ramayan, there I was very particular about fine details. If you are playing a princess, you ought to look like one in all respects and from all angles.
     
    “I consider TV like a newspaper, it has no repeat value. And I consider films like a magazine; you can read it more than once.”
     
    How do you differentiate films and TV serials?
    I like doing both. Hmmm… a few extra inches for films. I consider TV like a newspaper, it has no repeat value. And I consider films like a magazine; you can read it more than once. But there is one thing about films which bugs me no end. One full day is consumed doing just one or two scenes. And there is one thing I like about films (pauses)
     
    Go on. What’s that?
    Films make you famous with your own name, TV makes you famous with the character’s name. Today, people recognize me as Deepshikha. Kittie Party and other serials have played a substantial role in this. That’s simply because people know me to some extent because of the films I have done. I wouldn’t like it if I was known as Kuku or Ruby. My name is my identity.
     
    But you did have some identity crisis when people mistook you for Parveen Babi?
    (laughs) Initially, I used to get angry. I almost got my hair permed so that I would start looking different. But slowly, I began to enjoy it. Parveen Babi is special. She was a real star. So, no probs on that count.
     
    You are still doing films. How do you adjust the schedules between the two media?
    I tell my film-producer and director that I won’t be shooting on certain dates due to my TV commitments. All these guys are pretty cool. At least, I haven’t come across one who cribbed. They adjust without any hitch.
     
  • “The thrust of every programme is the suspense element” : Sameer Mody

    “The thrust of every programme is the suspense element” : Sameer Mody

    He is the scream-master of television. With a string of suspense thrillers to his credit like X-zone, Thriller at 10, Saturday Suspense, Captain House, and the current Shhh… Koi Hai on Star Plus, scriptwriter Sameer Mody has established himself in the television industry.

    Coming from a family of performers, Mody began his career as a painter. After a brief stint with theatre as an actor he accidentally began to write for theatre. Thereafter began a series experiments as a scriptwriter for television. Meanwhile he had begun assisting Vinta Nanda and fondly calls her his mentor.

    Despite the thriller writer tag, he has been responsible for few reality based shows and sitcoms as well. He is currently co-scripting Zee’s Kittie Party.

    Excerpts of a tete-a-tete he had with indiantelevision.com’s Trupti Ghag –

    When and how did you get bitten by the writing bug?
    Well, it seemed like a natural progression at that time. My parents were professional dancers so I always was artistically inclined. I used to write poetry as a hobby. Meanwhile, a friend asked me to fill in as a scriptwriter for a telefilm Saundarya Kaha. By then I was hooked.

    What are the essential requisites of a good writer?
    It is extremely crucial that a writer has a point of view. A writer, needless to say, is creative, what is important is that he has to have individualism. There is no point in churning out clones.

    Do you write with a particular channel in mind?
    Not necessarily. But there have been times when I have been approached by producers to write a story of a particular genre with a particular channel in mind. I am quite sure that this not a solitary case. Personally, I think this should be the norm.

    It is nice to romanticise, but at the end of the day, your work has to be saleable. It is helpful to know what the end product looks like, so you start working backward. You are subconsciously aware of the channel’s choice. If you work around it, I guess there will be no ego clashes or creative problems because neither your work is tampered with nor do the channels interfere unnecessarily.
    “The sitcoms overseas usually have sexual overtones. We are culture bound people so that is a no-no for us“

    Your work profile consists of different genre of serials. What is the genre that you enjoy writing for and why?
    I can’t really pinpoint a particular genre. Writers should not have a fixed working style, they should be versatile.
    But I am always keen on introducing an element of thrill or suspense. Thrillers drive the TRPs. Every programme’s thrust is the suspense element.

    Tell us something about your writing experience for different genre.
    Writing is both a science and an art. What changes with change in genre is the application of either. To give you an example, writing for a daily soap follows the science rules. Not that the writer’s creative contribution any less but emphasis is on dialogue delivery, presentation, different character sketches rather than the story. It is based on certain set formulae and is analytical in approach. You have to stage few fake progressions as well, they may be used in the story ahead. While the weekly is more of a story telling.

    Thrillers are a different ball game altogether. It is my forte, I guess. I personally enjoy writing a thriller as it give me scope to think differently. Comedy, on the other hand, is very challenging.

    And why do you say comedy is challenging?
    Take a look at the sitcom history, usually a sitcom is either a hit or miserable flop.
    The sitcoms abroad are usually a rage; they have a freedom of expression. The sitcoms there usually have sexual overtones. We are culture bound people so that is a no-no for us.

    What do you have to say about channel interference in a scriptwriter’s arena?
    Well, I will not deny that. I think to an extent that is fair enough, as their money is at stake too. Besides, for any successful relationship, the partners need to come to a understanding. Compromise is the survival strategy.

    How do you go about writing on an everyday basis? How do you deal with writer’s block?
    A writer’s job is a lonely job. I might be siting in a room full of people buzzing around me, but I am usually working alone. It is a little challenging initially, but after a while, it comes easily.
    But it is a job like any other. I may have a mind block but that means I have to try harder. If I am stuck, I begin asking myself questions and the answers are usually my clues for the next part.

    Are the newcomers given a raw deal in this industry?
    Isn’t that true for any other industry! I agree that there is certain amount of exploitation and even the pay structure is unfair. But that is just for beginners, seniors I presume are paid fairly well.

    Scripts nowadays seem to borrow heavily from their foreign counterparts. What do you have to say about it?
    Ideas are all around. I might get an idea the same time as another person siting in another corner of the world. He might make something out of it earlier than me, that is simply not my fault.
    Although, I don’t deny that plagiarism occurs. It is very much prevalent but not as much as the fuss created.
    “We have had enough of the family drama“

    Unlike others, the Hindi television industry has a set of dialogue writers and a different set of script writers. What do you have to say about it?
    I guess it is a dicey situation. It is very difficult for a dialogue writer. The characters are not his handiwork so he is uncomfortable with them. There is certain amount of chaos but we will have to live with it till we find solutions.

    As an insider, where do you think our television industry is headed?
    I am not really sure. But personally, I think the current television scenario needs to be changed. I am against the portrayal of women in soaps and family dramas. It is definitely retrogressive, we do not have women of substance on the screen.

    I think that the public is looking for some real emotions, real tears. We have had enough of the family drama. My bet is on the reality shows and sitcoms. We need a change, but I am not quite sure if the social dramas will be off air.

    What projects do you have currently on hand?
    Besides Kittie Party, I am also working on a reality based show for Doordarshan called Talaaq Kyon.

    I also have a few movie projects on hand, I will be writing dialogues and screenplays. The Hindi film industry is looking at television as a competitor and I guess that is what is breaking the ice. Film gives you a larger scope to express, as it is a visual medium. It is much more detailed and vibrant.

    If not a scriptwriter, what would you been?
    I guess I would have been a politician.
  • “On TV, pace is everything” : Shobhaa De

    “On TV, pace is everything” : Shobhaa De

    Shobhaa De has perfected the art of reinventing herself – as a model, journalist, advertising copy writer, celebrity columnist, novelist and now as a television script writer. She has several novels to her credit and has taken the favourable reviews as well as criticism in her stride.

    For Zee’s Kittie Party, De’s incisive pen has created eight women who are catty, full of gossip, often hypocritical and crafty. What sets these well-heeled women apart from their counterparts in competing serials is their closer association with reality. De has sensitively brought out their honesty even as she brutally exposes their frailties, their obsession with class and their weakness for the rich life.

    De spoke to indiantelevision.com’s Ashwin Kotian on the occasion of the Siddhant Cinevision bash to celebrate the completion of 100 episodes of Kittie Party. Excerpts-

    What kind of adjustments does a writer have to make in order to write for TV serials?
    On TV, pace is everything. If you don’t understand pace, you don’t have any business to be on television. A writer’s work cannot be compartmentalised. Whether it is an ad copy or a script or a novel, it is inspired creativity at its best. It is all about thoughts, words and ideas.

    Writing for TV serials was an exciting experience for me. Unlike a novel, which is purely a one-on-one experience; writing for a TV serial took me to another dimension. I felt as if my characters were coming alive on the small screen. My characters have faces (of the actors who played the characters) and I associate these faces with my creations.

    How have people reacted to Kittie Party?
    Kittie Party was a gut reaction to the ‘retrograde’ serials currently on air. I grabbed the opportunity to use Kittie Party as a device to project contemporary women and narrate a true to life story. The serial wouldn’t have been accepted a decade back as it would have been considered to be an elitist past time.

    I have been surprised by the response from people in different walks of life. This proves that the premise of female bonding and women meeting one another to discuss their lives is being accepted in several places in the country. In fact, even within Mumbai, there are suburban kitty parties, multi-millionaire kitty parties and middle-class kitty parties.

    People have reacted in a favourable manner and this response has come from metros as well as smaller towns such as Indore, Nagpur and Coimbatore. These people who reside in small towns didn’t know me as an author of English novels. Now they have started reading my work. Writing for Kittie Party and the promotional media blitz around the serial has succeeded in getting me instant recognition beyond the metros. There has been a rub-off effect on the sales of my novels but the extent cannot be quantified.

    Even at airports, I have had women walking up to me and congratulating me and thanking me for giving them Kittie Party.

    “People have reacted in a favourable manner and this response has come from metros as well as smaller towns such as Indore, Nagpur and Coimbatore“

    How has Kittie Party broken the ‘saas-bahu’ mould on Indian television?
    It is all about the attitude projected by the women protagonists. Kittie Party has definitely broken the mould and presented Indian women of the 21st century. It has brought these women to the fore and given them confidence to behave freely – as their global counterparts do.

    The story is about issues relevant to today’s women and not the ‘saas-bahu’ sagas where the protagonists’ mindsets were 50 years behind the times. I personally feel that the ‘saas-bahu’ themes are extremely insulting and degrading. It is wrong to project women as submissive on the small screen. On the other hand, one must give the younger generation enough confidence to be what they are and what they want to do.

    Why are the ‘saas-bahu’ sagas on TV still watched by millions of women?
    Indian women love to cling on to the existing stratosphere as they find a certain comfort zone. Most Indian women have spent their entire lifetime living and believing in the values projected on screen. Several of them haven’t had the courage to break away from the groove. Also, the elder generation of women don’t allow the younger ones to break the mould.

    Kittie Party has given them a new insight. Viewers may or may not pick these insights and imbibe them. But the fact remains that we have shown them a new path. The female characters speak today’s language and many Indian women will definitely connect to them.
    “Indian women love to cling on to the existing stratosphere as they find a certain comfort zone”
     

    Are your male characters sidelined amidst the numerous female characters?
    Some male characters in Kittie Party are extremely progressive modern males. Consider the character of Manoviraj (played by actor Kiran Kumar) – he is a contemporary man who doesn’t fall into the trap of stifling his women. He gives them freedom. Basically, all my characters are neither black nor white; they all have their failings and their strengths; they are good at times and equally bad. None of them can be permanently slotted or typecast in a permanent mould.
  • ‘Kittie Party’s success is a victory for women: Shobhaa De

    ‘Kittie Party’s success is a victory for women: Shobhaa De

    MUMBAI: Women from smaller towns have reacted favourably to Kittie Party’s theme of female bonding! This statement by celebrity novelist, script writer, journalist and socialite Shobhaa De said it all on the occasion of the celebration bash of Kittie Party’s century of episodes on air.
     

    Sidhant Cinevision organised a get together at Mumbai’s Onyx resto pub for the entire unit of the serial which is aired on Zee TV in the prime time night slot. Spotted were the likes of Shobhaa De, Shveta Salve, Poonam Dhillon, Kavita Kapoor, Deepshikha, Kunika, Kiran Kumar, Raza Murad and several others adding to the glam appeal.
     

    Zee had launched Kittie Party on Monday, 19 August 2002. It revolves around the lives of eight women who meet every month. The serial explores their individual lives through these meetings. It is not just about bored rich hausfraus splurging their excess cash on the phenomenon called the ‘kitty party’.

    Shobhaa De with the cast of Kittie Party Writer Shobhaa De has sensitively brought out their honesty even as she brutally exposes their frailties, their obsession with class and their weakness for the rich life.

    While speaking to indiantelevision.com, writer De says: “People have reacted in a favourable manner and this response has come from metros as well as smaller towns such as Indore, Nagpur and Coimbatore. I have been surprised by the response from people in different walks of life. This proves that the premise of female bonding and women meeting one another to discuss their lives is being accepted in several places in the country.”

    Actress Poonam Dhillon echoes this sentiment and says that her role has been appreciated by women audiences including her near and dear ones. “Kittie Party reflects the aspirations and dreams of today’s Indian women,” she adds.

    Manish Goswami’s Sidhant Cinevision has left no stone unturned to give the show top notch production values. The look as well as the background score is of a uniformly high quality and certainly seems to have done justice to the estimated Rs 450,000 per episode cost of the series. Sidhant also hired a special art director to bring in the required element of gloss.

    “In this age when viewers tastes are changing rapidly, it was a challenge for us to create and sustain interest. Kittie Party is a unique serial and its characters are refreshingly bold, convincing and comfortable with their selves,” adds Goswami.

    “Since the situations are from every day life, audiences are able to identify the characters and the conflicts they deal with,” says a Zee spokesperson.

    De also took a swipe at the kind of fare that dominates prime time television, saying that the story was about issues relevant to today’s women and not the “saas-bahu sagas where the protagonists’ mindsets were 50 years behind the times.”

    Actor Kiran Kumar who plays the character of Manoviraj in Kittie Party adds: “It was dream come true to be associated with Shobha De as I am a great admirer of her work. My character is that of a progressive male who gives space to his women without being too dominating.”

    “As far as Kittie Party is concerned, the eight women appealed to me. Their characters are very identifiable. It’s like we see these women around us especially in urban society,” director Tamara Nedungudi.

    “No, I won’t say it has a limited appeal. I would say that every household will be able to strongly relate with at least one of the main characters in the show. That is what makes it appealing overall,” Nedungudi adds.

  • Thumbs up for new Zee FPC – opinion poll

    Thumbs up for new Zee FPC – opinion poll

    MUMBAI: It’s a gamble that could pay off. Just about. Results of the latest indiantelevision.com poll seeking viewer response to the proposed Zee plan to run serials Sunday to Wednesday have given a green signal to the channel, with 83 persons voting in favour.

    Its not a cushy margin, though. 78 respondents averred that the plan may not be that great an idea. 14 respondents have admitted that they have no clue whether the novel strategy will work at all.

    The results are a pointer to the uncertainty that shrouds Zee’s latest programming strategy. The channel is treading uncharted territory, but not for the first time. It has done this once before, with disastrous results. That was in mid 2001, when newly appointed CEO Sandeep Goyal relaunched the channel with 24 new shows and a new channel mascot. The strategy flopped, but the poll results indicate that viewers are willing to give the beleaguered channel a second chance.

    Zee now plans to air soaps and the like in the pre 9 pm slot for five days, beginning Sunday. The logic is that by Sunday evening, families anyways are in the week schedule mode as kids have to be prepared for school and adults have to ready for work the next day. Therefore the programming will also be tailored accordingly.

    Zee’s FPC is being built keeping in mind a very metro-centric audience. Love Marriage, Kittie Party and Lipstick all fall into that thinking. The strategy has obviously been to build a different programming from that available on other channels and not try to be a ‘me too’ channel. It is also aiming to wean away the Star and Sony soap regular viewer by dishing up a blockbuster movie on Thursday nights and wooing him to watch the new Zee soaps.

    The moot point of whether a show commencing Sundays, traditionally a weak day in terms of viewership, will be able to command viewer interest will remain unanswered till Zee launches in its new avatar. Of course, with viewership already at a nadir, Zee doesn’t have much to lose. From here on, it can either stay where it is or move in one direction. Upwards.