ITV

Tag: Kohi Apna Sa

  • “A daily can easily go on for over two years” : Bharavi Shah

    “A daily can easily go on for over two years” : Bharavi Shah

    Very few writers begin their foray into TV writing with a soap as popular as Kkusum. Bharavi Shah, who does the screenplay of Sony’s flagship soap happens to be among those lucky few. She is also the creative head of Kahi To Milenge, a new Balaji daily that has recently premiered on Sahara TV. For someone who never consciously planned to be a writer, Bharavi’s achievements in a span of less than two years are quite a handful.

    Excerpts of a tete-a-tete she had with indiantelevision.com –

    When and how did you get bitten by the writing bug?
    Well, I was always interested in the medium. I have written plays in Mithibhai college and was involved in directing them too. From there, I went on become an associate director in some Gujarati serials. Later, Rajesh Joshi who was writing serials for Balaji introduced me to Ekta Kapoor. Ekta showed immense faith in me and that was how I started writing for Balaji. Kkusum was my first break as a screenplay writer. I have also written several episodes of Kohi Apna Sa.

    How did you learn the nuances of TV writing?
    Well, all my training has been hands on. One has to have a natural aptitude for writing which I guess I had. Besides, Ekta was very supportive and trusted my abilities even when I was a raw newcomer. I have learnt things by the trial and error method.

    What are the qualities required of an effective writer?
    One should have a good command over the language. Even though I write only the screenplay of Kkusum, my screenplay is full of suggested dialogues in Hindi. Besides, one should be a good observer and have a good sense of drama.

    “A few months ago when Nausheen met with a serious accident and remained indisposed for sometime, we had a terrible time re-working the episodes“

    Which subjects appeal to you as a writer?
    Personally, I like subjects inspired by and adapted from real life incidents, yet presented in a manner that is commercially viable.

    Is writing a daily tough?
    Oh, yes, it is very tough, mainly on two counts. One, the script has to be constantly re-worked depending on the availability of artistes. For instance, a few months ago when Nausheen met with a serious accident and remained indisposed for sometime, we had a terrible time re-working the episodes. She had to be suddenly removed from the scene and major changes had to be made in several episodes. And all this had to be done in an acute time crunch, given the pressure of readying the episodes on time. Then, the other major problem stems out of the kind of competition that exists today. Even in the case of dailies, viewers expect the pace, taking and grandeur of a weekly.

    How many dailies do you feel you can manage simultaneously, without in any way compromising on the quality?
    Two, given that I have a good team working with me.

    Are you bound by some contract with Balaji not to work for outside producers?
    No, no. It’s just that right now I have enough work happening for me at Balaji and hence don’t really see any reason to venture out.

    Does TV writing pay well?
    Personally, I’m quite satisfied on this front. A professional screenplay writer can earn anywhere between Rs.2,500 and Rs.8,000 per episode.

    Do you find channel EPs interfering a lot nowadays?
    Not so much with the Balaji serials because of the production house’s proven credibility, but yes I’ve heard of some writers having to make major changes on EPs’ demands. As far as I can remember, I’ve had had to re-write an entire episode only once because the channel wanted it differently.

    What is your writing schedule like?
    Actually, given the interactive nature of our work, there is no definite schedule. There are days when I write for six hours from home and other days when we just have brainstorming sessions in office and sort out the future course of the story.
    “I’ve had had to re-write an entire episode only once because the channel wanted it differently“

    Why has Kkusum lost its sheen? What is the cause of its depleting TRPs?
    Actually, the channel itself has lost a lot of its viewership. I agree that there have been problems in patches, for instance, when Kkusum met with the accident and a whole lot of episodes went haywire. But right now, the problem is more with the channel’s depleting viewership. Anyway, Kkusum still continues to be the no.1 show on Sony.

    ‘Kkusum’ is close to completing two years. Have you ever run out of ideas creating newer plots and sub-plots?
    Well, not really. I feel if there is sufficient content in the story in terms of plot movements, a daily can easily be scripted for two years without any major problem. In any case, nowadays, most dailies are done by a team- two people handling the screenplay and another two the dialogues. So, by way of interactions and brainstorming, we sort out any potential dead ends that might be there.

    Where do you draw your inspiration from – books, movies, real life experiences?
    Unfortunately, due to an extremely chaotic schedule, I am not able to follow up on reading much or watching movies. I rely heavily on my own experiences in real life and my observation of what I see happening in the lives of people around me. Of course, it sounds so easy but I also feel that writing is a natural talent and unless one has it, it becomes very difficult to just start writing to earn a living.

    What does the future hold for you? Have you given up plans of direction altogether?
    No, no. I would love to direct some day, but don’t know when. Right now, I’m just flowing with the tide and enjoying my writing.
  • Zee TV begins test signals for encrypted beam for Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal

    Zee TV begins test signals for encrypted beam for Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal

    Subhash Chandra’s Zee Network’s plans to launch a separate encrypted beam for markets in the Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal under the Zee International banner finally took off today with a technical launch. 

    This is to be followed by a formal launch in the Middle East by the beginning of May, in Bangladesh by the middle of May and in Pakistan as soon as cable operators are allowed to receive channels from Indian channels. 

    The Zee International beam can be configured to take advantage of the prime time in the Middle East and South Asia, with the intent of providing customised programming. 

    Zee International channel will open up markets for their full advertising potential and for enhanced pay revenues. Till now, Zee TV has been accepting advertising from these markets only in its late prime (post 11 pm) time slots. The separate beam will help Zee TV monetise all 24 hrs of its programming for airtime slots from these markets.

    Currently most advertisers in these markets do not advertise on Indian channels because:

    Advertising rates in India are much higher, especially during prime time. 

    India’s prime time is 1/2 hour behind Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan and 1  hrs ahead of Middle East. 

    This means that advertisers in these markets do not derive maximal benefit by advertising on the top-rated programmes on India prime time.

    Zee TV went pay in all these markets in June 2001. The separate new beam will not have any effect on the current decoder boxes already in place in these markets and will only require a quick one-time retuning of frequencies.

    The separate beam allows Zee TV to tailor content to coincide with prime time in different markets while concurrently valuating airtime inventory at locally relevant and competitively attractive rates. 

    Says Sandeep Goyal, Group CEO, Zee Telefilms: “As we had announced earlier, we are now ready to launch the Zee TV International beam. We have already started getting immense response from advertisers in the Middle East market, with clients taking up sponsorship of programmes like Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Nilaam Ghar, Kohi Apna Sa, etc. We may not be able to offer the channel in Pakistan till the time the market opens up. However, we are already in the process of offering the same channel in Bangladesh and will soon start tapping the local advertising market there.”

    The channel will consider some content customization of the beam. Market relevant programming in Bangla, Punjabi and Urdu will be added to cater to viewers in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Similarly, Zee TV may, at a future date, enhance some of the movie content on this beam, as Indian movies have a high fan following in all these markets. Zee has a 3000+ strong movie library while Bangla and Punjabi content may be cherry picked from its Alpha Channels.

    S’PORE GOVERNMENT CORP’S STAKE IN ZEE 5.11 %: 

    The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation’s holding in Zee Telefilms has crossed the 5 per cent mark and now stands at 5.11 per cent of the total paid up capital of the company. 

    This has been a creeping acquisition by Singapore Investment and Zee made the mandatory announcement on the Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday. 

  • Zee TV begins test signals for encrypted beam for Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal

    Zee TV begins test signals for encrypted beam for Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal

    Subhash Chandra’s Zee Network’s plans to launch a separate encrypted beam for markets in the Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal under the Zee International banner finally took off today with a technical launch.

    This is to be followed by a formal launch in the Middle East by the beginning of May, in Bangladesh by the middle of May and in Pakistan as soon as cable operators are allowed to receive channels from Indian channels.

    The Zee International beam can be configured to take advantage of the prime time in the Middle East and South Asia, with the intent of providing customised programming.

    Zee International channel will open up markets for their full advertising potential and for enhanced pay revenues. Till now, Zee TV has been accepting advertising from these markets only in its late prime (post 11 pm) time slots. The separate beam will help Zee TV monetise all 24 hrs of its programming for airtime slots from these markets.

    Currently most advertisers in these markets do not advertise on Indian channels because:

    * Advertising rates in India are much higher, especially during prime time.

    * India’s prime time is 1/2 hour behind Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan and 1 hrs ahead of Middle East.

    This means that advertisers in these markets do not derive maximal benefit by advertising on the top-rated programmes on India prime time.

    Zee TV went pay in all these markets in June 2001. The separate new beam will not have any effect on the current decoder boxes already in place in these markets and will only require a quick one-time retuning of frequencies.

    The separate beam allows Zee TV to tailor content to coincide with prime time in different markets while concurrently valuating airtime inventory at locally relevant and competitively attractive rates.

    Says Sandeep Goyal, Group CEO, Zee Telefilms: “As we had announced earlier, we are now ready to launch the Zee TV International beam. We have already started getting immense response from advertisers in the Middle East market, with clients taking up sponsorship of programmes like Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, Nilaam Ghar, Kohi Apna Sa, etc. We may not be able to offer the channel in Pakistan till the time the market opens up. However, we are already in the process of offering the same channel in Bangladesh and will soon start tapping the local advertising market there.”

    The channel will consider some content customization of the beam. Market relevant programming in Bangla, Punjabi and Urdu will be added to cater to viewers in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Similarly, Zee TV may, at a future date, enhance some of the movie content on this beam, as Indian movies have a high fan following in all these markets. Zee has a 3000+ strong movie library while Bangla and Punjabi content may be cherry picked from its Alpha Channels.

    S’PORE GOVERNMENT CORP’S STAKE IN ZEE 5.11 %:
    The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation’s holding in Zee Telefilms has crossed the 5 per cent mark and now stands at 5.11 per cent of the total paid up capital of the company.

    This has been a creeping acquisition by Singapore Investment and Zee made the mandatory announcement on the Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday.

  • Zee reschedules three new shows to get more viewers

    Zee reschedules three new shows to get more viewers

    Two months into its relaunch campaign, Zee TV has shifted around three of its shows in an effort to increase their audience share.

     

    Game show Nilaamghar, hosted by the irrepressible Shekhar Suman, has been shifted from the weekend (Saturday-Sunday 7:00 PM) to a weekly slot – Tuesday-Wednesday 10:00 PM, with effect from 16 October.

     

    Sarhadein has been pushed back from the 11 PM slot on Mondays to Wednesdays, to 10:45 PM on the same days. The change came into effect from 15 October.

     

    Interestingly, the much hyped interactive show, Aap Jo Bole Haan To Haan…Aap JO Bole Na To NA has been cut down from four days a week to two days. Instead of being telecast from Sunday to Wednesday at 10:00 PM, it is now being beamed at the same time, but only on Sundays and Mondays, from 14 October.

     

    Says Zee TV director (marketing) Partha Sinha: “Some changes have been made based on viewer feedback. Eleven PM was considered too late for Sarhadein, hence we moved it back to 10:45 PM” Sinha points out that the network was lining up specials in order to cash in on the Diwali season. “These are at the finalisation stage,” he says. “We are responding to changes at the ground level.”

     

    He also sought to dispel any notions that the network was on the back foot. Says Sinha: “Despite the media’s onslaught on Zee Telefilms’ falling marketshare, the facts are that Zee News has emerged as the numero uno channel in Mumbai. Additionally, Kohi Apna Sa currently occupies the no 12 position as per current ratings. Choti Maa Ek Anokha Bandhan is going along steadily and given another six to eight weeks it should establish itself. Both Nilaamghar and Aap JO Bole…, which are finding increasing audiences should also do well. These are some of the good shows and we expect good results from them.”

     

    That some of its new shows will gain cachet with audiences given time is a tautology and is something that even indiantelevision.com has been advocating for quite some time now.

     

    And whatever may be Sinha’s views on the matter, the channel’s dogged persistence with flop interactive show Aap JO Bhole… and its atrocious host Suhel Seth continues to surprise the industry, including all of us at indiantelevision.com. Maybe there’s something here that we are all missing.