ITV

Tag: Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat

  • Gauri-Hiten set to wed

    Gauri-Hiten set to wed

    MUMBAI: Gauri Pradhan and Hiten Tejwani, the duo that strode into the limelight as the star crossed couple in Balaji Telefilms’ Kutumb on SET, are set to tie the knot in real life at a Pune hotel on 29 April.

    The two, who also did a Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat series (also a Balaji production on SET) are currently acting together in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (also Balaji, but on Star Plus) where Gauri plays Nandini and Hiten plays Karan. While Karan may not get Nandini in reel life, courtesy Ansh, he is all set to make it ring true in real life.

    The stage is set for a Maharashtrian style shaadi. “Gauri is a Pune girl, so it was quite natural that we would have the shaadi there,” said Hiten, speaking to indiantelevision.com this morning.

    Fine, but why not a Sindhi wedding? Laughs Hiten, “I didn’t want to have an ostentatious wedding ceremony. I have always believed in simplicity and I was very particular on that.”

    While speculation on the Gauri – Hiten relationship has been rife in industry circles, both of them had vehmently denied the rumours initially. “We didn’t want too much to be written about us until D-day. It’s always better to say things when they actually happen,” says Hiten, whose simplicity was what attracted Gauri, he says.

    While Hiten will wear a sherwani for the pheras, Gauri (who was off screen for quite some time after Naam Gum Jayega on SET last year lived up to its name rather too soon) will drape a yellow coloured typically Maharashtrian saree for the occasion.

    The couple will fly to Bangkok for a short six-day honeymoon. “We have adjusted our shooting dates” says Hiten, who is also acting in Kkoi Dil Mein Hai on SET. “We will come back on 6 May and have a reception in Mumbai.”

  • “In terms of judging an idea, Arunaji is more open to discussion. Earlier, Ekta too was, but of late, she is not the same person”: scriptwriter Mrinal Jha

    “In terms of judging an idea, Arunaji is more open to discussion. Earlier, Ekta too was, but of late, she is not the same person”: scriptwriter Mrinal Jha

    "I have a fascination for thrillers, but don't forget, I also wrote many episodes of Rajni. Today, I would even love to do a soap. I have the basic criterion of a good writer, that is because I have been an avid reader from childhood," says writer Mrinal Jha, who also wrote a chunk of Mano Ya Na Mano and Kaahin Kissii Roz. Currently, she pens Meher for DD too.

    As of now, Jha, who co-authored the novel November Rain on which Aruna Irani's Tum Bin (Zee) is based, is terribly peeved. "Ekta Kapoor has taken concept credit for Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat (Sony) but the first episode of her current series was almost a frame to frame copy of my series," she complains.

    Jha has gone ahead and served a legal notice on Balaji Telefilms for "concept theft" over their latest series Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat.

    In her freewheeling interview to indiantelevision.com's Vickey Lalwani, Jha spoke about her distress, Balaji House stint, and lots more. Excerpts:

    When did you first realise that the "concept theft" had happened?
    Before it came on air. I had read the synopsis of the show released by the channel in a section of the press. It read word to word of what our content of Tum Bin is. I made it a point to see the first episode. And I even recorded it. To say that I was flabbergasted would be an understatement.

    How did you check your doubts?
    What doubts? It was as clear as a crystal from the first scene. There are certain key sequences which define a concept clearly. The key sequences shown were an exact replica of Tum Bin: A boy's lover dies. He does a planchet to figure out where she is likely to be reborn, and is guided to the exact place. But upon reaching there, he realises there isn't a newborn at that site and returns disappointed. However seconds after he leaves, a pregnant lady enters the scene to suggest that the prophesy was true, but the hero could not meet his lover in a reincarnated form. The order of sequences gave it away. I am not laying any copyright claim on the planchet concept per se.

    You have blamed the person who originated with the concept (Ekta), not the writer (Mushtaq Sheikh)?
    The concept originates before the screenplay writer pens his stuff, doesn't it?

    You and Ekta have worked together before. Couldn't you'll have resolved it amongst yourselves?
    To be frank with you, Ekta knew about this concept. I had discussed it with her. She has even read November Rain. When this serial was being made, I was still working with Balaji. The fact that she lifted it without even asking has hurt me considerably. She very well knows how close Tum Bin is to my heart.

    "If the audience has already seen the chain of events in Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, and the mystery that will unfold, why will they sit and watch a daily Tum Bin?"

    A still from 'Tum Bin'

    Still, isn't your complaint too harsh? Recently, 'Bhabhi' did a take on 'Trishul', 'Saara Akaash' did a take on 'Lagaan', 'Sanjivani-A Medical Boon' did a take on 'Masoom'. We all are inspired by each other…
    (Interrupts) It's okay if a scene or two is same. Don't miss the point. How can the entire concept be the same? I have seen the latter episodes and I know what I am talking. If you recall, a party had raised objection to the serial Kanhaiya (Zee) saying that the concept was their's. The Court gave a decision in favour of that party.

    Does 'Tum Bin' stand to lose out?
    Yes, it might. Due to its condensed format, KHKH is moving at a faster rate. If the audience has already seen the chain of events and the mystery that will unfold, why will they sit and watch a daily Tum Bin?

    You sound extremely peeved?
    I am. If this is allowed to pass, this would signal the end of creativity on Indian television. Every second TV serial maker will lift concepts from anywhere and everywhere.

    How do you expect to be compensated?
    I am not fighting for money. I am fighting for justice to creativity.

    Would you be okay if she puts your name in credit titles hereafter?
    No. That cannot be done. It would suggest that she has run out of ideas. It would also contradict my selling of the rights to A K Films. The ideal thing would be that this particular series of KHKH is taken off air.


    A still from 'Tum Bin'
    "I am not fighting for money. I am fighting for justice to creativity"

    Is there originality on television today?
    There "is" originality. But we need to place a value on that. This is a golden opportunity to send out the message loud and clear that originality should be protected.

    How do we do that?
    There should be a Copyright Act which should clearly spell out what plagiarisation is. Believe me, plagiarisation is one of the main causes of why there's a dearth of writers in India. If there's no law to protect what is rightfully mine and doing well, why would any other writer work hard to be innovative? Besides, there should be a punishment for copying; a punishment which should be implemented in practice and not remain just on paper.

    Do you blame the channels for asking the producers to dish out only what is working? In other words, aren't the channels responsible for the herd mentality if one may put it mildly?
    You said it! This is one of the biggest problems in today's television in our country. It is easier to convince people by telling them ideas similar to what is already on air rather than dishing out something different.

    Think of it, the herd mentality is a collaborated effort?
    I would put it this way. Collaboratively, we aren't doing anything (laughs). Believe me, it's a very dangerous scenario. Soon, Indian television might find itself in the morass which Indian cinema found itself in the late 90s when it ran out of ideas and subjects.

    Rewind. Why did you leave Balaji House?
    I worked on the second phase of Mano Ya Na Mano and also Captain House. I was working on Kaahin Kissii Roz and during that time, it had entered the reincarnation phase. Tum Bin which also featured reincarnation had come on air and I felt I was repeating myself.

    Are you hinting that 'Kaahin Kissii Roz' should have ended before it entered the reincarnation phase?
    No. I understand that if a daily is doing reasonably well, there is no need to end it. Continuity is the basic funda of a daily. But KKR was a thriller set against a family backdrop. I didn't like the fact that it was gaining supernatural overtones. The decision had been taken jointly by the production house (Balaji) and the channel (Star Plus). I couldn't do much about it. As a writer, I knew I wouldn't be enjoying myself on that track. So I opted out. If it would have remained in its original thriller format, I would have definitely continued.

    Why do you think the decision to change the format was taken?
    Most serials have moved 20 – 25 years ahead. I guess, they wanted to do the same in KKR. Seems, the general feeling is that new characters need to be introduced. It also may have something to do with the demographics of the country. There is a large amount of young population wanting to work. This is a new trend. Perhaps there is some study that has gone into this. They feel that they can rope in the young audience to watch family serials this way.

    You are currently writing 'Meher', but earlier someone else was writing. Is a change of writer good for the serial?
    Ideally, a writer should not change. It's not easy for the new writer who comes in. In case of Meher however, I have managed it easily because too many episodes had not rolled when I stepped in.

    What's the difference between Aruna Irani and Ekta Kapoor? You have worked with both of them.
    In terms of judging an idea, Arunaji is more receptive and open to discussion. Earlier, Ekta too was. Of late, she is not the same person.

    Is there any chance that you and Ekta may work again?
    Interestingly, I was in talks with Balaji for a new show when this mess happened (laughs). But from here on? (shrugs). I think the answer is obvious.
  • Sahara optimistic about new horror show

    Sahara optimistic about new horror show

    MUMBAI: Sahara Manoranjan is all geared up to launch its new horror show – Raat Hone Ko Hai to compete with Sony’s Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat and Star’s recently launched serial Koi Jane Na.

    Raat Hone Ko Hai (RHKH) has been produced by Pradeep Uppur and directed by BP Singh (the makers of Aahat and C.I.D).

    RHKH is a daily and will air from Monday to Thursday at 11 pm. With no special cast, this horror show will sport different actors every week.

    When asked by indiantelevision.com as to how different this show would be from its competitors Koi Jane Na and Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Singh did not lay any tall claims but merely said that he had attempted a different format of story -telling. “Each story would be completed in four episodes, which in turn would make our show pacy and not keep the viewer waiting every Thursday for the next week’s episodes. In such cases, often the viewer is unable to catch up the next week and hence he loses track, and in the bargain, the programme loses eyeballs.”

    Singh also stressed on the fact that like in C.I.D, here too care has been taken that nothing is taken from any real-life incident, however chilling and inexplicable it might be.

    RHKH which will be pitched at the 11 pm slot against the popular Kahiin To Hoga on Star Plus may do better if it was slotted in at 11.30 pm when it will be competing with Star’s Kahiin Kissi Roz. But Sahara’s senior VP programming Triptii Sharma explained that the 11 pm show was going to be the channel’s wind up show after which the repeat telecasts begin. “However if we get something good at 11 pm, we may shift this one to 11.30,” she added.

    Twenty four episodes of RHKH are ready and Singh expects the show to be an on-going one like C.I.D. Sharma said, “There should be the usual 260 mandatory episodes. And then, we’ll take it from there.”

    C.I.D hasn’t been hogging the limelight with double-digit TVR figures, but its consistent presence week-after-week is an indicator that it has a loyal following even after five years of being on-air. Sahara Manoranjan, for one, would certainly be looking for a repeat of that.

  • Sony premiers 9th series of KHKH, ‘Khaall’

    Sony premiers 9th series of KHKH, ‘Khaall’

    MUMBAI: While Star Plus’ claim to fame can be Saas Bahu genre, it’s thrillers that rule the rooster at Sony Entertainment Television. Come October 10 and Sony will launch the 9th series of its weekend thriller, Balaji Telefilms’ Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat, Khaall.

    A weekend thriller, which airs every Friday and Saturday 8 pm, will stretch to 16 episodes this time. Starring Achint Kaur and Sumit Sachdeva, Khaall will unveil tale of the terror and mayhem caused by a man, who is possessed by the spirit of a bloodthirsty tiger.

    Speaking at a media meet, Balaji Telefilms’ creative head Ekta Kapoor said, “Portraying fear works for a serial maker. In fact, any heightened emotion works. But KHKH is not out to create any fear. If you see carefully, it’s more of fun. From here on, every KHKH story will extend to 16 episodes. It’s better to keep the suspense and thrill for a long time.”

    The story and screenplay is by Mushtaq Sheikh and the series is directed by Santram Varma. The other cast members of Khaall include Ravi Gosain, Vishal Puri, Pratima Kazmi and Sandeep Rajora.

    Sachdev plays Rajeev Khandelwal, a television actor turned film star, while Achint plays Niharika Oberoi, daughter of a successful producer. While both Niharika and Rajeev broach on a relation based on mutual benefit, Rajeev first love Natasha (played by Gitanjali Tikekar) is sidelined.

    After an encounter with evil spirit of tiger at the jungles of Bhramtamgora, where he goes to hunt, Rajeev returns a ‘changed’ man. He unleashes an on a murderous rampage. The portion about encounter with wild has been shot in Thailand, rest of the shots have been canned in and around Mumbai.

    Speaking about casting Kapoor said, “I choose Sachdev for this role because he has a ferocious look on his face, when he gets angry especially. As for Kaur, I wanted a lady with lots of style and attitude.”

  • ‘Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat’ back on air on SET, 21 March

    ‘Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat’ back on air on SET, 21 March

    MUMBAI: With reference to the article headlined Sony readying five new shows for launch post-World Cup, indiantelevision.com is issuing the following clarification. In the report a reference has been made to the weekender series from the Balaji Telefilms stable Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat,. The report states that the one-hour suspense thriller show, which has been airing on Sony Entertainment Television at 8 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, will not be returning. The show is currently off air due to the ongoing ICC World Cup. 

    This information was wrongly put out and it is hereby clarified that the fourth series of Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat titled Kaboo will be back on air on SET from 21 March in the same time slot of 8 pm, airing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

    It is hereby stated that the only reason Balaji and Sony decided to take off the series during this period was owing to the clash of timings vis-a-vis the World Cup matches.

  • Sony readying five new shows for launch post-World Cup

    Sony readying five new shows for launch post-World Cup

    MUMBAI:The thrust has been given. Now it has to build on the momentum. Sony Entertainment Television will be launching five new shows once the World Cup is over. 

    SET is also in the middle of a major revamp of the shows currently on air as far as plotlines and storyboards are concerned, SET CEO Kunal Dasgupta told indiantelevision.com. One show that will witness a new twist in the tale for certain is Sony’s top soap Kkusum, from the Balaji Telefilms stable. If what is happening on some Balaji soaps currently airing on rival Star Plus is any indication though, expect to see the death of one of the main protagonists of Kkusum.

    Dasgupta said that while most of the shows that were being promoted on MAX as well as on Sony were those currently running, the second half of the World Cup would see a major promo effort around the upcoming shows.

    Queried as to the genres of the shows that would be on air, as well as the time bands they would be slotted in, Dasgupta said all shows would be in the 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm prime time band. As far as the genres were concerned, Dasgupta revealed that one show would be a musical, one a thriller, as also family dramas.

    The thriller is being slotted in the 10 to 10:30 pm band which puts a question mark on Achanak – 37 Saal Baad, the daily supernatural suspense show that is currently occupying that time band.

    What there is no question about is the fact that Balaji’s weekend series Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat will not be making a comeback. The telecast of World Cup matches on SET has meant that the one-hour suspense thriller series, which airs at 8 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, has gone into suspended animation. Dasgupta said post-World Cup, the vacant slot would be filled by weekend movies whose telecast would be pushed forward an hour, so as to begin airing at 8 pm. 

    While Kya Haadsa… makes a quiet exit, another show whose launch was announced along with it, way back in July 2002, will finally take its bow on SET. Kuch Kehti Hai Yeh Dhun, hosted by Raageshwari is a musical quiz show and is part of the new line up of shows that SET will be announcing soon. 

  • Balaji Tele Q2 net profit surges 131%

    Balaji Tele Q2 net profit surges 131%

    MUMBAI: Soap factory Balaji Telefilms’ second quarter net profit has surged 130.8 per cent to Rs 152.88 million from Rs 66.24 million in the corresponding quarter last year.

    Total income has increased from Rs 241.48 million to Rs 489.88 million.

    The company board declared an interim dividend of Rs 1.50 per share (75% on an equity share of par value of Rs 2), Balaji said in a statement issued today.

    The company’s net sales or income from operations stood at Rs 489.6 million as against Rs 236.2 million in the Q2 of 2001, the statement said.

    For the first half year ended 30 September, net profit stood at Rs 279.7 million as against Rs 115.6 million in the same period of the previous year and net sales were at Rs 887.3 million over Rs 472.7 million in H1 of 2001.

    Earnings per share rose from Rs 6.43 to Rs 14.84, an increase of 130.80 per cent, realisation per hour was up from Rs 680,000 to Rs 1.14 mn, an increase of 67.65 per cent, operating profit margins from 39.91 per cent to 50.92 per cent, while net profit margins increased from 28.04 per cent to 31.22 per cent, the statement said.

    Commenting on the company’s performance, Shobha Kapoor managing director and CEO was quoted as saying: “I would attribute this quarter’s stellar performance to the team work and quality of content produced by us. Our efforts to de-risk and scale up the business model have started delivering results even in a tough business environment. We are continuing our investments in infrastructure and building robust systems within the organization to further consolidate Balaji’s position in the industry.”

    Among the operational highlights the company listed were:

    * The fresh programming hours increase from 344.50 hrs to 429.50 hours, an increase of 24.67 per cent.

    * The share of commissioned programming in the revenues has gone up from 68 per cent to 90 per cent.

    * Increased focus on commissioned and regional segment of business.

    * Rates of serials on Star Plus revised upwards.

    * Weekend Program Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat launched during the quarter on Sony TV sustained on TRP charts, creating a new weekend slot despite strong competition from other channels.

    * Balaji’s programming continues to dominate 16 of the top 20 programmes in Hindi cable & satellite channels.

  • “We have perfected the art of storytelling” : Rajesh Pavithran Balaji Telefilms COO

    “We have perfected the art of storytelling” : Rajesh Pavithran Balaji Telefilms COO

    Balaji Telefilms continues to be on a high despite Kutumb‘s hiccups and Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat‘s teething problems. The production house is cautiously feeling its way with shows launched recently even as it tries its hand with a different channel, Sahara. But COO Rajesh Pavithran says the company is currently taking it easy and making big time plans for the next fiscal.

    In an interview with indiantelevision.com, Pavithran discussed programming trends, viewer expectations and Balaji‘s plans.

    Excerpts –

    What is next on Balaji‘s plate?
    While last year, we spread ourselves out by launching several shows, we are in the consolidation phase this year. Still, we are coming out with a couple of new shows in November, one for Star (Kaalki) and one for Sahara. The point is, Balaji‘s positioning in the top 20 shows has been more consistent than most others. This I guess has been due to the fact that despite being where we are, we have not been complacent.

    Since the days of Hum Paanch, we have constantly striven for a new look every time, in line with what the viewers would want. What sets us apart from the others, although storylines can sound similar, is the art of storytelling that we have perfected. Yet, we keep trying to up the quality of content. We spent almost Rs 10 million when we fast forwarded the Kyunkii… story 20 years, but the results were worth it.

    Drastic shifts in the storyline have become an increasing feature of Balaji soaps of late. Is it channel pressure or is it pre-ordained?
    We believe in re-inventing ourselves every three to four weeks. We keep a constant finger on the pulse of the viewer through the channel and through our own in house research. If a story calls for a sudden twist or even re-characterisation of a part, it is worth it in order to sustain viewer interest.

    We have a serial called Kannadi on Udaya TV, which was sinking so badly in the ratings that we had decided to pull it off air five weeks ago. But then the writers came up with a complete twist in the tale, which catapulted Kannadi to the number one show on Udaya with a TRP of 11.97, despite being slotted in the unenviable 6:.30 pm band. But there are other shows we do not tamper with, like Kammal, which I feel is the best Balaji show currently on air.

    Despite having made the first big splash with a comedy like ‘Hum Paanch‘, why hasn‘t Balaji been able to replicate its success with ‘Kitney Kool Hain Hum‘?
    Perhaps, it is because audiences today are not looking for genuine comedy on television and are happier with the soaps they get. Kitney Kool was a good enough comedy, but maybe it did not get the push it needed on the channel. See, it is much easier to make people cry with a soap but very tough to make them laugh. As for the near future, we do not intend to make a comedy but I don‘t rule one out either.

    Does that mean Balaji is unwilling to experiment with new genres and is content to replicate the tested formula of the soap?
    Not at all. From Hum Paanch, we graduated to making a Kyunkii and then a Kahaani successfully. A Kitney Kool may not work and a KHKH may take time to take off, but we have persevered and made a success of them…as in Kaahin Kissi Roz and Kasauti…. in each of which, the twists in the plots and the way the storytelling has been dealt with have been central to their steady rise on the charts.

    But it is the audience feedback which is vital for us. We have proved our superiority in the family soap genre, and the audience has shown that it is the soap it craves for the most. It also becomes a case of giving the viewer what he wants.
     
    “I would rate Kammal as our best show on air currently, contentwise, though it may not reflect in the ratings.”
     

    Is it a special chemistry with Star or better packaging that accounts for most of Balaji hits being on that channel?
    It is a good rapport that we share with Star, but that does not mean we reserve our best shows for them. I would rate Kammal as our best show on air currently, contentwise, though it may not reflect in the ratings. And of course, Kkusum and Kutumb have helped Sony climb up in the stakes. Sometimes, it is just the way you relate to a channel, exchange feedbacks etc that also count.

    How about Balaji‘s presence on the southern channels?
    This year, in fact, Balaji intends to focus on regional channels. From one programme on the Kannada language Udaya channel, we have moved up to three shows on air – Apart from Kannadi and Kavaludaari, both social dailies, we have recently started a new daily thriller Kshana Kshana. Our show on Sun TV, Kudumbam, has also been a chartbuster.

    While we have set up offices in Bangalore and Chennai to cater to the shows in these markets, our next focus is on Kerala, which we have not tapped thus far. We are looking for a slot on Sun TV and perhaps one on Gemini TV too.

    Sahara is slowly emerging as a major buyer of TV software. Balaji too is doing a serial for them for the first time.
    See, Sahara is another example of a channel constantly moulding itself. Currently, its trying to re-engineer its programming strategy as well as its marketing. This very fact made us look at Sahara as a promising channel.

    ‘Kya Haadsa Kya Haqeeqat‘ had a miserable start, but seems to be picking up now. Did the replacement of its lead protagonist have anything to do with it?
    KHKH did have a low initial response, but it is not always easy to change habits of viewers, who did not have anything in the weekend prime time slots earlier on any of the channels. The fact that is picking up speaks for the viewers‘ catching on to the concept. Pallavi‘s departure from the show had nothing to do with the ratings. She contracted jaundice and had to be bed ridden for several weeks. We had no choice but to opt for another lead actor. KHKH, I expect, will pick up ratings majorly in the coming few weeks.
    “Pallavi‘s departure from the show (KHKH) had nothing to do with the ratings “

    Does that mean Zee‘s new programming strategy of beginning its dailies on Sundays will also click in the days to come? Will that also not mean bad news for other channels many of which are airing Balaji soaps around the same time?
    Zee is another channel that‘s attempting to re-invent itself. They are trying out novel tacks and I would definitely not write off the channel. Yes, if such programming clicks, it could mean stiff competition for the other channels. But then that‘s what this business is all about, and it could spell an overall improvement in quality of content across channels.

    Balaji is also believed to be eyeing the Punjabi and Bangla markets, as well as overseas markets?
    Yes, Punjabi and Bangla shows are definitely on our plan, but for the next fiscal. We are limiting our immediate plans for the South this year, and for consolidations. Next year, we also plan to produce software exclusively for the overseas markets, although we have not firmed up plans for the same.

    Why has Balaji been having mass auditions across the country of late?
    We are launching a couple of new character based shows for which we are scouting for the right face. It has to be someone like Nausheen Ali who fit the image and character of Kkusum to a T. We have had auditions in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai, the last of which drew over a 1,000 applicants. We are still to home in on the right face.