ITV

Tag: Manisha Sharma

  • Viacom18’s social expt ‘Bigg Boss’ has ‘Super Bowl’-like fandom, says Raj Nayak, Salman to play ‘peacemaker’

    Viacom18’s social expt ‘Bigg Boss’ has ‘Super Bowl’-like fandom, says Raj Nayak, Salman to play ‘peacemaker’

    MUMBAI: “We all have neighbors of every kind and every hue. Some of us have wonderful memories of them and some of us may have not so good ones,” Salman Khan exemplified Bigg Boss’ theme after returning as the host for the eighth season in a row.

    The new season promises to give the audience a peek into human psychology in its newest avatar with Khan also as the neighbourhood peacemaker!

    In our lifetime, we all come across a vivid breed of neighbours who we share a love-hate relationship with. The greedy ones, the nuisance creators, the gossip-mongers and sometimes the close confidants with whom we share our day-to-day ordeals with. Incorporating a never-seen-before twist, Colors ’ is all set to present yet another extraordinary season of its marquee show “Appy Fizz presents Bigg Boss powered by Oppo Camera Phones” which will roll out the red carpet for the Padosis this year. Viewers will find a host of new neighbours in the Bigg Boss House whose lives they’ll get to follow over a period of 90 days.

    About the ad rate, official sources told Indiantelevision.com, it was Rs 3 lakh per 10-second — an increase of 15-20 per cent over last year. Apart from the two known and CP Plus as sponsors, Colors is expecting three-four more partners for Bigg Boss.

    About the launch of the show, Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak said, “Arguably the most awaited show on Indian television and a social experiment at its best, Bigg Boss undoubtedly has a fandom like the Super Bowl of the West. After turning risk into a victory last season as the contrasting worlds of common man and celebrities created unparalleled content, the entertainment abode of Bigg Boss this season comes with an even bigger twist filled with indomitable ‘Gharwale’ and ‘Padosis’. We’ve done an impeccable casting and are certain that the universal theme of ‘neighbours’ will not only prove to be relatable but will also elicit the right kind of emotions amongst the viewers.”

    Bigg Boss, the world of Gharwale and Padosis, will premiere on 1 October at 9pm, and the subsequent episodes will air Monday – Friday at 1030pm and on Saturday-Sunday at 9pm on Colors.

    Nayak added, “This year has been wonderful for Colors as we could treat our audience to some exemplary content; be it by presenting unique propositions like India Banega Manch and Rising Star or by accounting another successful season of Khatron Ke Khiladi. Here’s hoping that Bigg Boss will continue the trend and become a matter of neighbourhood gossip in every locality.”

    Talking about the association, Parle Agro’s joint MD and CMO Nadia Chauhan said, “Bigg Boss, as a property, only seems to be getting bigger and better with every season. Our association has not only helped us to cement a significant market position but also to create several innovative brand propositions. We are looking forward to reaching out to our target audience through compelling in-show integration.”

    Khan added, “Bigg Boss is a show that the country awaits with bated breath along with my movies.”

    Said Oppo India brand director Will Yang, “We have continued our association as the results have been tremendous and the recall amongst our target audience has been remarkable. We believe this year’s alliance will create more buzz and reach out to more audience which is young and fashionable as our brand.”

    About the security of the Bigg Boss House, CP PLUS COO Yogesh B Dutta said: “CP PLUS is excited to be an integral part of the Bigg Boss house by intelligently securing the show this time.”

    Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “There are quite a few exciting and innovative elements getting added to the House this season, like an ‘aakhara’ and a ‘kalkothri’. For the first time ever, Salman will also be staying alongside the contestants.”

    As the common man and celebrities fight all odds and live together as neighbours for 100 plus days, their lives will be filled with unique challenges and situations that will prove to be an entertainment bonanza. Only the determined and resilient will emerge victorious in this ultimate battle of Gharwale and Padosis.

    On the format, Endemol Shine India MD and CEO Deepak Dhar This season we will add another interesting spin to the drama with the introduction of a ‘Padosi’. The journey gets more fascinating this year when the contestants face unpredictable situations, which will add to the entertainment factor that the franchise is synonymous with.”

    Colors has designed an integrated marketing campaign to promote Bigg Boss across various platforms including OOH, radio integrations including special tie-ups. In the digital medium, actor Gaurav Gera will don the hat of Pinky Padosan and give out inside gossip from the Bigg Boss house.

    One and all would be curious to know how viewers would relate to the dramatic neighbourhood situations.

  • Colors’ version of Chandrakanta coming on 24 June, new weekend shows in pipeline, says Raj Nayak

    MUMBAI: As viewers prepare to bid adieu to the unprecedented leader on Indian television, Naagin 2, Colors is all set to launch a 52-episodic fantasy tale of love and revenge portrayed against the backdrop of magic and mysticism, Chandrakanta, which is already selling at around Rs two lakh per 10-second slot. Addiitonally, new shows are in the Colors pipeline during the weekends.

    Promising to be a visual treat and every fantasy lover’s delight, Chandrakanta will showcase an epic power struggle between two rival Aiyaar kingdoms, Vijaygarh and Suryagarh. Putting the spotlight on the conflicting yet fervid relationship between princess Chandrakanta (Madhurima Tuli) and prince Veer (Vishal Aditya Singh), the show is laden with myths, legends and magic.Along with Madhurima Tuli, Vishal Aditya Singh, Urvashi Dholakia and Shaad Randhawa, Chandrakanta will feature an ensemble cast including actors Shilpa Sakhlani as Queen Ratnaprabha (Chandrakanta’s birth mother), Sandeep Ranjora as King Jai Singh (Chandrakanta’s birth father), Prerna Wanvari as Vishaka (Chandrakanta’s aunt), Nirmal Soni as Djinn (Chandrakanta’s best friend), Shruti Golap as Ruchi (Chandrakanta’s adoptive aiyaar mother), Sayyad Mohammad Iqbal as Bheema (Chandrakanta’s adoptive aiyaar father), Purvi Mundada as Champa (Veerendra’s best friend), Amit Sinha as Kroor Singh (Shivdutt’s confidante) and many more.

    Spread across a sprawling 32,000 square feet, Chandrakanta’s sets, designed by National Award winning Art Director Chandravadan More, highlight regality and opulence of the magical realms. Three distinct zones, Queen Iravati’s darbar in Vijaygarh, Prince Shivdutt’s darbar in Suryagarh, and Chandrakanta’s foster parents’ fisherman’s shack, have been authentically created to form the perfect setting for Chandrakanta and Veerendra’s love saga. Intricately designed costumes, by Sameera Ahmad, offer a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours which add a dimension to the complexity of the monolithic and prodigious backdrop.

    Chandrakanta, produced by Balaji Telefilms, will mystify audiences starting 24 June 2017, every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 PM on Colors. A brief talk with Viacom18 COO Raj Nayak (RN), programming head Manisha Sharma (MS) and Ekta Kapoor (EK):  

     

    How different will Colors’ Chandrakanta be?rate
    RN: Irrespective of others, we do it as per own plan and ideas. Ekta (Kapoor) has a certain way of narrating a story. In the new telecast, this story has been ‘sectionalised’ differently. It is our version of Chandrakanta.  We are thrilled to collaborate with Ekta Kapoor’s creative intellect yet again to showcase a unique rendition of a story which, though has been narrated before, leaves a lot of scope for creating a cohesive viewing experience.  Chandrakanta narrates the tale of Vijaygarh’s lost princess who lost her family and kingdom to a power war waged by Naugarh’s evil Queen Iravati (Urvashi Dholakia). While many believed the family to be wiped out, an infant Chandrakanta was found in a river by a simple and loving aiyaar fishing couple in Suryagarh. Her true identity lost in the war, Chandrakanta grows up to be a strong warrior-like woman, whose focus and strong determination are unparalleled. But, her real journey starts when she crosses paths with Queen Iravati’s son, Prince Veerendra Singh, who finds himself enamored by Chandrakanta’s entrancing beauty and falls hopelessly in love with her when he comes to battle Suryagarh’s Prince Shivdutt (Shaad Randhawa).

    MS: As a channel, we are committed to bringing viewers a variety of entertainment – be it Naagin, now Chandrakanta or the upcoming Mahakaali that makes for edgy yet pacier story telling as compared to the daily fiction dramas. The success of Naagin tells us that viewers still have a huge appetite for this genre and with Chandrakanta, we are scaling up every aspect of the show and making it as spectacular and thrilling as ever. True to the ethos of the channel that offers differentiated content, be it weekdays or on the weekend – we hope that this enchanting story will be enjoyed by the audience as much as Naagin was.

    EK: Chandrakanta is a very special show for us and it has very big shoes to fill. That said, we were filled with excitement over the prospect of creating this show. The plot is gritty, complex, passionate and is laced with top class VFX which will transport the viewers into alternate reality. We hope that Naagin’s ardent viewers and voracious fantasy-fiction aficionados enjoy watching Chandrakanta and support this mammoth venture.”

     

    Isn’t it a risk to replace Naagin 2?
    RN: It’s obviously a risk to replace a highly-rated show with another, it is a scary thought. But, we believe in the new plot, ….but you know entertainment, creative, shows and their the nature: the ultimate decision-maker is going to be the viewer. So, we did to the best of our ability — the story telling, the casting, the sets, but, we believe Chandrakanta would be engaging, interesting and the element of suspense that is there, like you have seen in Naagin, and so somewhere it is straddling the same genre of content.

     

    Tell us about bringing back ‘Kavach’
    RN: Colors had made Kavach a successful show. Kavach could become equally successful as Naagin. Even, we didn’t think Naagin would become  a superhit. W had expected a rating of 2.5 to 3, but when it went to a rating of 5.5 and 6, we were surprised.

    Whether or not fantasy in shows works?
    RN: From Doordarshan around 25 years ago, like Ramayana, some things work. Love stories, historical and mythological ones will always work. But, it doesn’t mean success comes with the the genre — it needs to be well-scripted, well-cast and well-written. One doesn’t know whether or not stories will work, but the concept of the story will always work, such as the love stories of Heer Ranja, Laila Majnoo. For two back-to-back seasons Naagin has enjoyed the status of being a favorite of the viewers. It’s their confidence in our content that has allowed us to explore this genre further. The recent success of costume dramas and fantasy offerings not only on television but also in films is a testimony that our viewers have evolved, and are willing to explore different narratives.

    Tell us about your marketing plans.
    RN: Our main focus is on television because obviously our audience is there — its easy to connect with them. The show will be aired on Colors and Voot and not AltBalaji. To promote Chandrakanta and bring this fantastical folklore directly to audiences, Colors has devised an integrated marketing campaign encapsulating different mediums including print, television, radio, OOH, and ATL and BTL activations. The channel has also designed an extensive digital campaign including #ChandrakantaKiDuniya – a 360-degree video of Chandrakanta’s magical world, #MyMagicalLoveStory – a viewer engagement initiative asking viewers to share their respective love stories in micro-fiction format, a fan e-book and Facebook canvas, and a mix of 3D GIF images, video bytes and behind-the-scenes sneak peek posts

    Enlighten us about the choice of star cast.
    RN: I’m happy with the star cast. Ekta always gets the casting right. Most of the delays are always because of Ekta as she feels: ‘No no, this cast isn’t good, we need to change it.’

    What will be the rate for a 10 second spot?
    RN: Right now, the team is selling at rupees lakh and a half to one lakh eighty, but let’s see, it all depends on the ratings of the show.

     

  • Colors’ new prime-time Bhaag Bakool & Savitri Devi shows from 5pm

    MUMBAI: Narrating stories that evoke a multitude of emotions, India’s leading Hindi General Entertainment Channel, Colors, is extending its programming to an early evening band starting 5pm onwards. Offering viewers diverse entertainment, the channel will be adding two new genres to its mix – Bhaag Bakool Bhaag and Savitri Devi College and Hospital.

    While Bhaag Bakool Bhaag, produced by Edit II Productions, will be a light-hearted sitcom highlighting the various dilemmas faced by the lead protagonist, Bakool after getting married to two women, Savitri Devi College and Hospital, produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Ltd, tells the story of a young medical intern, Saachi Mishra who strives to fulfil her mother’s dreams while unwittingly furthering her hidden motives. The extended entertainment extravaganza begins on 15 May, 2017 with Bhaag Bakool Bhaag to air every Monday to Friday at 5:30 PM and Savitri Devi College and Hospital to air as an hour-long show every Monday to Friday at 6:00 PM. Thapki Pyaar Ki will move to the 5PM time band.

    Commenting on the launch of the two shows, Manisha Sharma, Programming Head – Colors said, “Bhag Bakool Bhag and Savitri Devi College and Hospital are the two new shows which will continue to increase the width of variety entertainment for the viewers on Colors. Bakool is an out an out comedy and we all need a dash of comedy in our lives apart from serious soaps. Savitri Devi… is a drama set against the backdrop of a hospital and is aspirational in nature. Both concepts are new if one looks at the offerings across the Hindi entertainment space currently and form a nice new mix in our current bouquet of shows. We really hope that the viewers enjoy the etched out characters and storyline.”

    Bhaag Bakool Bhaag is a slice of life sitcom highlighting the plight of a Gujarati man, Bakool Vasavda (Jay Soni) who is torn between his two wives Jigna (Shruti Rawat) and Sheena (Hiba Nawab). Adding more hilarity to Bakool’s over-complicated life of keeping both his wives separate and happy, are his overdramatic mother Kokilaben (Purvi Vyas) and his best friend-cum-confidant Harishankar Upadhyay aka Harry (Hardik Sangani). Both wives have drastically different personalities, with Jigna being more traditional while Tina has a modern outlook towards life. It is this disparity which often puts Bakool in catch-22 situations that make for many laughter-inducing moments, promising to make Bhaag Bakool Bhaag a complete family entertainer.

    Commenting on the show, producer Sanjay Kohli from Edit II Productions said, “Over the past two decades, we at Edit II have built our expertise in creating endearing award-winning comic content; Bhaag Bakool Bhaag explores this genre further by delving into the dilemmas of a simple man who, by the twist of fate, finds himself married to two contrasting women. Making viewers laugh is quite a difficult task, making the entire production process for Bhaag Bakool Bhaag a tough proposition. This is our first association with Colors and the support we have received from the channel gives us confidence that we have a winner on our hands.”

    Savitri Devi College and Hospital traces the journey of a young medical intern Saachi Mishra (Swardha Thigale) who aims to fulfil her mother Jaya’s (Shilpa Shirodkar) dream of becoming a doctor. As she forays into medicine, Saachi will encounter various people who will add complications to her life, the toughest being Dr. Anand Malhotra (Mohan Kapur), the hospital’s head and a leading cardiac surgeon. As the story unfolds, every character’s hidden motives will come to the fore, stringing their lives together in many unexplainable ways. Along with Mohan Kapur, Shilpa Shirodkar and Swardha Thigale, Savitri Devi College and Hospital will feature an ensemble cast including actors Neha Bagga (Pragya, fellow intern), Varun Kapoor (Veer, fellow intern), Vikram Sakhalkar (Saachi’s mentor Dr. Kabir), Jignesh Joshi (Dr. Malhotra’s brother Dr. Bharat), Kishwer Merchant (Aunt), and many more.

    Speaking about the show, producer Rashmi Sharma from Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Ltd said, “Savitri Devi College and Hospital is our attempt at narrating a different kind of story which speaks not only of interpersonal relationships but also the many motives that drive human beings on a whole. Given that it’s an hour-long show, we are shooting it on a very large scale to ensure that the authenticity of its backdrop is maintained at all times. Savitri Devi College and Hospital also marks our fourth venture with Colors following grand successes like Sasural Simar Ka, Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii and Swaragini. We hope to keep the trend going and deliver another blockbuster!”

    To promote both, Bhaag Bakool Bhaag and Savitri Devi College and Hospital, Colors has devised an extensive 360-degree integrated marketing campaign incorporating different mediums and touchpoints. The channel will also be promoting both shows across digital and social media platforms to generate positive conversations amongst the target audience.

  • Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    MUMBAI: Who ever thought that the traditional age-old contrived tale of snakes taking human form to avenge their parents death? Well Ekta Kapoor, Raj Nayak and Manisha Sharma did. And the trio had a runaway Naagin on their hands last year on Colors, which ran on weekends on the channel for eight months. So much so that it reached numero uno status even in Pakistan.

    Nayak and Sharma decided to give it a break to accommodate other weekend programmes. Three months later, it is ready to make a comeback in Naagin season II on 8 October at 8 pm.. Season I saw it became the No1 show across television channels within 30 episodes of debut. The show proved to be a game-changer for Colors.

    In the first week of the launch itself, the fiction show ‘Naagin’ overtook the top five programmes on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Additionally, ‘Naagin’ also became one of the first weekend shows which totted more ratings than the top-rated weekday shows.

    Says Colors CEO Raj Nayak: “Naagin has been a gloriously successful proposition for us, whose precise casting, gripping narrative and flawless execution has found appeal with audiences across the country, and has redefined the 8pm slot on weekends. As content creators, our challenge with a show like this was to weave the perfect narrative connecting childhood folklore to its real-life projection on screen, thus making Naagin a landmark show. It has been the numero uno show amongst Hindi GECs, and the feedback that the rushes have received gives us confidence that the second edition will surpass all previously set benchmarks.”

    Naagin, in its first season, highlighted a saga of love laced with revenge. As the story drew to a close, Naagin claimed triumph over evil. Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) and Shivanya became parents to a young girl, Shivangi. And, as time passes, Naagin 2 will progress by 24 years, now focusing on Shivangi’s life as she blossoms into a young woman, against the scenic backdrop of Dehradun.

    Says Colors programming head Manisha Sharma: “With Naagin, we opened up another genre of entertainment for the viewers. Naagin created history with its compelling storyline to become the unprecedented No 1 show on Indian television. And now, as we kick off Naagin 2, here’s another tale with a shape shifting snake at its helm that will once again make fantastical characters television’s newest stars.”

    Balaji Telefilms producer Ekta Kapoor adds: “Naagin is a very special show for me. The show marked my first foray in the mystical genre, and empowered us to explore a different kind of storytelling altogether. As we march ahead, we bring together not only the show’s original cast, but also a volley of newer faces who will narrate Shivangi’s tale, as she takes the mantle of being the Nagmani’s protector forward. This season we are raising the bar on visual effects to incorporate newer technologies, and will put together a tight and engrossing narrative to heighten viewer experience and build intrigue like never before.”

    To promote Naagin 2, Colors has devised an extensive integrated marketing campaign across mediums including print, cable and DTH, radio, news channels, OOH, cinema, etc. This will be complemented by a robust digital campaign incorporating multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. . The channel has also planned on-ground activations aligned with the Colors Golden Petal Club across multiple markets. Sources indicate that a marketing budget of round Rs 2 crore has been kept aside for the show.

  • Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    Colors Naagin II to slither in on 8 October

    MUMBAI: Who ever thought that the traditional age-old contrived tale of snakes taking human form to avenge their parents death? Well Ekta Kapoor, Raj Nayak and Manisha Sharma did. And the trio had a runaway Naagin on their hands last year on Colors, which ran on weekends on the channel for eight months. So much so that it reached numero uno status even in Pakistan.

    Nayak and Sharma decided to give it a break to accommodate other weekend programmes. Three months later, it is ready to make a comeback in Naagin season II on 8 October at 8 pm.. Season I saw it became the No1 show across television channels within 30 episodes of debut. The show proved to be a game-changer for Colors.

    In the first week of the launch itself, the fiction show ‘Naagin’ overtook the top five programmes on Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Additionally, ‘Naagin’ also became one of the first weekend shows which totted more ratings than the top-rated weekday shows.

    Says Colors CEO Raj Nayak: “Naagin has been a gloriously successful proposition for us, whose precise casting, gripping narrative and flawless execution has found appeal with audiences across the country, and has redefined the 8pm slot on weekends. As content creators, our challenge with a show like this was to weave the perfect narrative connecting childhood folklore to its real-life projection on screen, thus making Naagin a landmark show. It has been the numero uno show amongst Hindi GECs, and the feedback that the rushes have received gives us confidence that the second edition will surpass all previously set benchmarks.”

    Naagin, in its first season, highlighted a saga of love laced with revenge. As the story drew to a close, Naagin claimed triumph over evil. Ritik (Arjun Bijlani) and Shivanya became parents to a young girl, Shivangi. And, as time passes, Naagin 2 will progress by 24 years, now focusing on Shivangi’s life as she blossoms into a young woman, against the scenic backdrop of Dehradun.

    Says Colors programming head Manisha Sharma: “With Naagin, we opened up another genre of entertainment for the viewers. Naagin created history with its compelling storyline to become the unprecedented No 1 show on Indian television. And now, as we kick off Naagin 2, here’s another tale with a shape shifting snake at its helm that will once again make fantastical characters television’s newest stars.”

    Balaji Telefilms producer Ekta Kapoor adds: “Naagin is a very special show for me. The show marked my first foray in the mystical genre, and empowered us to explore a different kind of storytelling altogether. As we march ahead, we bring together not only the show’s original cast, but also a volley of newer faces who will narrate Shivangi’s tale, as she takes the mantle of being the Nagmani’s protector forward. This season we are raising the bar on visual effects to incorporate newer technologies, and will put together a tight and engrossing narrative to heighten viewer experience and build intrigue like never before.”

    To promote Naagin 2, Colors has devised an extensive integrated marketing campaign across mediums including print, cable and DTH, radio, news channels, OOH, cinema, etc. This will be complemented by a robust digital campaign incorporating multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. . The channel has also planned on-ground activations aligned with the Colors Golden Petal Club across multiple markets. Sources indicate that a marketing budget of round Rs 2 crore has been kept aside for the show.

  • Colors to air ‘Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon’ se from 11 June

    Colors to air ‘Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon’ se from 11 June

    MUMBAI: Uneasy rests the soul that loves and loses. Its obsession with love challenges the realms of life and death. But, what happens when the soul turns rogue? Colors’ upcoming drama, a finite paranormal thriller series titled Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se is a story of love, passion and obsession. Drawing evil from its grave to possess a pure soul in an epic battle against good, the show delves into the lives of a loving couple Paridhi and Rajbir, and his fanatical lover Manjulika’s unfulfilled soul. Supported by a dramatic narrative and backed by Balaji Telefilms’ prowess in celebrating Indian folklore and myths, the show dwells deep into the elements of supernatural occurrences and exorcism.

    Set to take over the baton from Naagin, the show will go on-air starting 11 June 2016, and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 pm.

    Commenting on the launch of the show, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “The numero uno show of Indian television is going to be replaced by a new entrant which has the potential to become another trendsetter in the industry. The success of Naagin has led us to believe that the Indian viewers have a huge appetite for stories which dangle on the realms of the unknown. Going by the efficacy of this research, we bring to the viewers, Kawach – a show that talks about love, demonic possession and exorcism. Colors has set a benchmark of sorts in the finite fiction series space and we hope to continue the same trend now with Kawach. The show will definitely create ripples, is our belief.”

    Adding further, Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “Rooted in possession and exorcism driven by fanatical love, the show will create supernatural experiences that will engage viewers across the country. The show is essentially a love story; on one side is a devoted wife who vows to protect her husband against all evils and on the other side is an insatiated spirit whose unrequited love for the same man makes her wreak havoc in his blissfully married life. Everyone who has struggled to secure his/her love or has loved and lost will identify with the emotions displayed in this drama. As Kawach charts its own course, we are confident in its ability to grip audience attention.”

    Speaking about the show, the reigning Czarina of Indian television, producer Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms said, “Supernatural themes in recent times have tasted much success across the entertainment industry. Be it in films or on television, audiences enjoy watching stories based on myths and folklore. Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se will witness evil energies taking center stage as the goodness of love will be tested in all its glory. The show will evoke a multitude of emotions amongst viewers – be it empathy for Rajbir, hatred for Manjulika or reverence for Paridhi. With a strong VFX team in place, Kawach will be our next visually spectacular proposition on Colors and we look forward to strengthening our association with the channel further.”

    When love turns into an evil obsession, it holds the power and ability to completely take over a person’s existence. The show will see two types of love – an all-consuming obsessive love that draws Manjulika (Maheck Chahal) to Rajbir (Vivek Dahiya) even after her death, and a selfless strong-willed love that empowers Paridhi (Mona Singh) to protect Rajbir from dark elements. Paridhi’s determination and devotion, Rajbir’s conundrum and inability to ward off harm from his wife’s life, and Manjulika’s malevolence as she recuperates from having failed at being a temptress while she was still alive, will play a major role in shaping their personalities. As a fierce tussle juxtaposes good and evil, Manjulika’s soul possesses Paridhi’s body, and uses her dreams and ambitions to manipulate her presence in Rajbir’s life and future. And with Manjulika’s evil ploys and hell-fire for her fixation with Rajbir in the offing, it will be Paridhi’s efforts that will battle the realms of bone-chilling incidents.

    Speaking about her character, Mona Singh, who essays the role of Paridhi said, “Paridhi is a modern women who is well educated, is an archaeologist by profession and doesn’t believe in supernatural occurrences. But, she is willing to go to any length to protect her husband from the clutches of evil. She will get possessed by Manjulika’s spirit, but even this will not deter her from her goals. Paridhi considers love supreme and will chart her course to her destiny with that one goal in mind.” Commenting on Rajbir’s character, actor Vivek Dahiya said, “As a story of love and obsession, Kawach will take viewers on a spine-tingling ride. Rajbir doesn’t believe in supernatural powers, but is a strong believer in the power of love and uses it to fight evil spirits when his wife Paridhi is possessed by Manjulika’s soul. His misfortune and failure at protecting his wife causes him to take many decisions that shape their future and existence. But how Rajbir and Paridhi’s love fights through all odds forms the crux of this story.”

    Upon being casted in her first ever fiction role as Manjulika,Maheck Chahal said, “Manjulika is a dark and sexy seductress. She tries to win Rajbir’s heart but fails. Her return from the dead is a mark of power and passion, and she will do all it takes – including inhabiting Paridhi’s untainted and loving soul – to own the man who she believes is rightfully hers.”

    Along with the above cast, the show brings together a power-packed cast comprising of Ashwini Kalsekar as Indrani, Aham Mehta as Jagat Singh, Shiva Rindani as Bharat Singh, and Ritu Vij as Janki Devi amongst others.

    To engage with viewers at a grass-root level, Colors has devised a robust marketing and digital strategy including different touch points including outdoor and radio. Further, the channel has planned a series of on-ground activations at more than 130 Hanuman temples across HSMs (Hindi Speaking Markets) wherein a Kawach kit comprising of a Hunaman Chalisa and a Hanuman Kawach will be distributed amongst devotees. On the digital front, an extensive outreach has been planned utilizing multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram amongst others.

  • Colors to air ‘Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon’ se from 11 June

    Colors to air ‘Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon’ se from 11 June

    MUMBAI: Uneasy rests the soul that loves and loses. Its obsession with love challenges the realms of life and death. But, what happens when the soul turns rogue? Colors’ upcoming drama, a finite paranormal thriller series titled Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se is a story of love, passion and obsession. Drawing evil from its grave to possess a pure soul in an epic battle against good, the show delves into the lives of a loving couple Paridhi and Rajbir, and his fanatical lover Manjulika’s unfulfilled soul. Supported by a dramatic narrative and backed by Balaji Telefilms’ prowess in celebrating Indian folklore and myths, the show dwells deep into the elements of supernatural occurrences and exorcism.

    Set to take over the baton from Naagin, the show will go on-air starting 11 June 2016, and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 pm.

    Commenting on the launch of the show, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “The numero uno show of Indian television is going to be replaced by a new entrant which has the potential to become another trendsetter in the industry. The success of Naagin has led us to believe that the Indian viewers have a huge appetite for stories which dangle on the realms of the unknown. Going by the efficacy of this research, we bring to the viewers, Kawach – a show that talks about love, demonic possession and exorcism. Colors has set a benchmark of sorts in the finite fiction series space and we hope to continue the same trend now with Kawach. The show will definitely create ripples, is our belief.”

    Adding further, Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “Rooted in possession and exorcism driven by fanatical love, the show will create supernatural experiences that will engage viewers across the country. The show is essentially a love story; on one side is a devoted wife who vows to protect her husband against all evils and on the other side is an insatiated spirit whose unrequited love for the same man makes her wreak havoc in his blissfully married life. Everyone who has struggled to secure his/her love or has loved and lost will identify with the emotions displayed in this drama. As Kawach charts its own course, we are confident in its ability to grip audience attention.”

    Speaking about the show, the reigning Czarina of Indian television, producer Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms said, “Supernatural themes in recent times have tasted much success across the entertainment industry. Be it in films or on television, audiences enjoy watching stories based on myths and folklore. Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se will witness evil energies taking center stage as the goodness of love will be tested in all its glory. The show will evoke a multitude of emotions amongst viewers – be it empathy for Rajbir, hatred for Manjulika or reverence for Paridhi. With a strong VFX team in place, Kawach will be our next visually spectacular proposition on Colors and we look forward to strengthening our association with the channel further.”

    When love turns into an evil obsession, it holds the power and ability to completely take over a person’s existence. The show will see two types of love – an all-consuming obsessive love that draws Manjulika (Maheck Chahal) to Rajbir (Vivek Dahiya) even after her death, and a selfless strong-willed love that empowers Paridhi (Mona Singh) to protect Rajbir from dark elements. Paridhi’s determination and devotion, Rajbir’s conundrum and inability to ward off harm from his wife’s life, and Manjulika’s malevolence as she recuperates from having failed at being a temptress while she was still alive, will play a major role in shaping their personalities. As a fierce tussle juxtaposes good and evil, Manjulika’s soul possesses Paridhi’s body, and uses her dreams and ambitions to manipulate her presence in Rajbir’s life and future. And with Manjulika’s evil ploys and hell-fire for her fixation with Rajbir in the offing, it will be Paridhi’s efforts that will battle the realms of bone-chilling incidents.

    Speaking about her character, Mona Singh, who essays the role of Paridhi said, “Paridhi is a modern women who is well educated, is an archaeologist by profession and doesn’t believe in supernatural occurrences. But, she is willing to go to any length to protect her husband from the clutches of evil. She will get possessed by Manjulika’s spirit, but even this will not deter her from her goals. Paridhi considers love supreme and will chart her course to her destiny with that one goal in mind.” Commenting on Rajbir’s character, actor Vivek Dahiya said, “As a story of love and obsession, Kawach will take viewers on a spine-tingling ride. Rajbir doesn’t believe in supernatural powers, but is a strong believer in the power of love and uses it to fight evil spirits when his wife Paridhi is possessed by Manjulika’s soul. His misfortune and failure at protecting his wife causes him to take many decisions that shape their future and existence. But how Rajbir and Paridhi’s love fights through all odds forms the crux of this story.”

    Upon being casted in her first ever fiction role as Manjulika,Maheck Chahal said, “Manjulika is a dark and sexy seductress. She tries to win Rajbir’s heart but fails. Her return from the dead is a mark of power and passion, and she will do all it takes – including inhabiting Paridhi’s untainted and loving soul – to own the man who she believes is rightfully hers.”

    Along with the above cast, the show brings together a power-packed cast comprising of Ashwini Kalsekar as Indrani, Aham Mehta as Jagat Singh, Shiva Rindani as Bharat Singh, and Ritu Vij as Janki Devi amongst others.

    To engage with viewers at a grass-root level, Colors has devised a robust marketing and digital strategy including different touch points including outdoor and radio. Further, the channel has planned a series of on-ground activations at more than 130 Hanuman temples across HSMs (Hindi Speaking Markets) wherein a Kawach kit comprising of a Hunaman Chalisa and a Hanuman Kawach will be distributed amongst devotees. On the digital front, an extensive outreach has been planned utilizing multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram amongst others.

  • Colors to air ‘Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii’ from 30 May

    Colors to air ‘Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii’ from 30 May

    MUMBAI: Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the present and renders the future inaccessible. But, what if a prejudice is so strong that it damages a family beyond repair; so harsh that it makes parents discriminate between its own blood relations; so forbidden that it changes the fate of two young children? Colors brings to viewers a tale of conscious prejudice meted out by a family against its own kin with Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii. Putting blood relations in a quandary, Shakti portrays the strength and power of a family to dictate the destiny of its children – Soumya (Mahira Khurrana) and Surbhi (Tasheen Shah). Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Ltd, Shakti is set to unravel the truth behind their family’s behaviour towards them, starting 30th May 2016, every Monday to Friday at 8:00 PM on COLORS.

    The show will air from 30 May every Monday to Friday at 8 pm.

    Commenting on the show, Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “Prejudice comes in many forms; the differential treatment is based on a variety of factors including race, sex, and age among other reasons. However, the one kind that, though widely prevalent, goes unnoticed is that which a family doles out against its own kin. With Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii, we aim to show how conscious prejudice and the pursuit of perfection has the power to decay an entire family. With this show, we are fortifying our relationship with Rashmi Sharma Telefilms; their penchant for gripping narratives and compelling storytelling has made them a favorite among audiences.”

    Talking about the time slot, she further added, “Shakti will launch in the 8:00 PM primetime slot where it takes the baton from our longest running fiction drama Balika Vadhu, giving audiences a new story to support and follow. Balika Vadhu, in turn, will move to the6:30 PM timeslot where Dr. Nandini, Dr. Amit and Krish’s endearing tale will continue to enthral viewers. Ishq Ka Rang Safed will move up to the 6:00 PM slot.”

    Set against the backdrop of culturally rich and vibrant Punjab, Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii talks about parents who discriminate between their two daughters. The elder one, Soumya doesn’t understand why her father Maninder (Ayub Khan) and Dadi (Mamta Luthra) treat her differently. On the other hand, the younger one, Surbhi’s struggles to understand her mother Nimmi’s (Reena Kapoor) indifference towards her. Having been deprived of an education, and with no friends, toys or companions, Soumya finds solace in her mother’s arms. But the story is different for Surbhi. Smothered in her father and Dadi’s love, Surbhi goes to school, plays with her friends, and gets everything she wants except for her mother’s affection. The want for a socially ‘perfect’ life sees Maninder and Dadi go to any lengths to maintain a false prestige, even at the cost of alienating their own. But the mystery remains…what truth has the ability to tear apart a family from its very roots?

    Speaking about his character Maninder (Father), actor Ayub Khan said, “I have had the opportunity to play diverse roles on television, but the story of Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii is by far most unique and progressive. Societal discrimination is something we are all acquainted with, but Shakti presents a completely different facet of this word. It talks about the prejudice within a family, a place where you least expect it to occur. I am playing the role of an orthodox man, a father who consciously discriminates between his own bloods in the name of prestige.”

  • Colors to air ‘Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii’ from 30 May

    Colors to air ‘Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii’ from 30 May

    MUMBAI: Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the present and renders the future inaccessible. But, what if a prejudice is so strong that it damages a family beyond repair; so harsh that it makes parents discriminate between its own blood relations; so forbidden that it changes the fate of two young children? Colors brings to viewers a tale of conscious prejudice meted out by a family against its own kin with Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii. Putting blood relations in a quandary, Shakti portrays the strength and power of a family to dictate the destiny of its children – Soumya (Mahira Khurrana) and Surbhi (Tasheen Shah). Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Ltd, Shakti is set to unravel the truth behind their family’s behaviour towards them, starting 30th May 2016, every Monday to Friday at 8:00 PM on COLORS.

    The show will air from 30 May every Monday to Friday at 8 pm.

    Commenting on the show, Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “Prejudice comes in many forms; the differential treatment is based on a variety of factors including race, sex, and age among other reasons. However, the one kind that, though widely prevalent, goes unnoticed is that which a family doles out against its own kin. With Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii, we aim to show how conscious prejudice and the pursuit of perfection has the power to decay an entire family. With this show, we are fortifying our relationship with Rashmi Sharma Telefilms; their penchant for gripping narratives and compelling storytelling has made them a favorite among audiences.”

    Talking about the time slot, she further added, “Shakti will launch in the 8:00 PM primetime slot where it takes the baton from our longest running fiction drama Balika Vadhu, giving audiences a new story to support and follow. Balika Vadhu, in turn, will move to the6:30 PM timeslot where Dr. Nandini, Dr. Amit and Krish’s endearing tale will continue to enthral viewers. Ishq Ka Rang Safed will move up to the 6:00 PM slot.”

    Set against the backdrop of culturally rich and vibrant Punjab, Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii talks about parents who discriminate between their two daughters. The elder one, Soumya doesn’t understand why her father Maninder (Ayub Khan) and Dadi (Mamta Luthra) treat her differently. On the other hand, the younger one, Surbhi’s struggles to understand her mother Nimmi’s (Reena Kapoor) indifference towards her. Having been deprived of an education, and with no friends, toys or companions, Soumya finds solace in her mother’s arms. But the story is different for Surbhi. Smothered in her father and Dadi’s love, Surbhi goes to school, plays with her friends, and gets everything she wants except for her mother’s affection. The want for a socially ‘perfect’ life sees Maninder and Dadi go to any lengths to maintain a false prestige, even at the cost of alienating their own. But the mystery remains…what truth has the ability to tear apart a family from its very roots?

    Speaking about his character Maninder (Father), actor Ayub Khan said, “I have had the opportunity to play diverse roles on television, but the story of Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii is by far most unique and progressive. Societal discrimination is something we are all acquainted with, but Shakti presents a completely different facet of this word. It talks about the prejudice within a family, a place where you least expect it to occur. I am playing the role of an orthodox man, a father who consciously discriminates between his own bloods in the name of prestige.”

  • Colors strengthens its weekend with 7th season of India’s Got Talent

    Colors strengthens its weekend with 7th season of India’s Got Talent

     MUMBAI: Talent doesn’t discriminate; it knows no biases, it has no preferences. After Khatro Ke Khiladi, Colors is once again back with its one of the finest show which brings rarest of jewels of the country with India’s Got Talent season 7. The weekend show will start airing from 30 April on Saturday – Sunday at 9pm time band.

    The judging panel- Karan Johar, Kirron Kher and Malaika Arora Khan will return yet again to turn dreams into reality for the contestants. Produced by Fremantle India, IGT-7 will be hosted by Bharti Singh and Sidharth Shukla.

    The channel has  roped in Maruti Suzuki as presenting sponsor, L’Oreal Paris as the powered by sponsor, and  Nivea, Liberty Shoes and Kent RO Systems as associate sponsors specially for its HD feed.

    This year’s highlights include performances  like sand art, beatboxing, mind-reading, underwater and water-sport acts, aerial yoga, horse acrobatics, and for the first-time-ever ice-skating and sky-diving acts. This edition will also see the team travel to every nook and cranny of the country to bring to the fore unheard of talents looking for a stage to perform. Further, special episodes will celebrate rustic and traditional art forms which have lost their individuality over the years.

    Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “The beauty of India’s Got Talent is that it just lets you be. It doesn’t try to restyle you. Hence the focus is purely on what you bring to table in terms of your talent. It’s the only credible platform that the country has which gives opportunities to the uniqueness in an individual. As we venture into the by-lanes of India in search of the best, with a promise of larger than life performances, we promise to create an unparalleled viewing experience for our discerning audience.”

    Fremantle India  content head Aradhana Bhola, “In its seventh season, India’s Got Talent’s search for superlative talent has taken us to the smallest towns and villages including  Loharika in Punjab  and Nunerbhari in Bengal. With double the dose of entertainment, drama and never-seen-before spectacles, the show will be a treat to the audiences’ senses. We hope that the show’s larger-than-life backdrop and nation-wide search for superior talent will enthrall viewers and keep them glued to their television sets.”

    The channel has devised an extensive marketing campaign incorporating multiple mediums reaching out to viewers at various touch-points for top-of-mind recall. On the digital front, the channel has devised various activities including a blogger outreach program, a glimpse into the lives of talent from previous seasons including last year’s winner Manik Paul, and invite talent-led stories on social media platforms using the hashtags #IFeelTalentedWhenI and #HunarHiPehchaanHai amongst other initiatives.