MUMBAI: Hindi general entrainment channel (GEC) Life OK rings in 2016 with a new comedy drama titled Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant which is based around the familiar saas bahu concept but with a science fiction twist to it. Conceptualised over a span of six months, the show will be produced by Sonali Jaffar and Aamir Jaffar of Full House Media.
“After over six months of planning, research and execution, we are finally ready with this refreshing new concept to hit television screens. Don’t be wary with the name ‘bahu’ in the title. This show is anything but a typical saas bahu series. I can’t reveal more but I would add that it is quite the opposite,” says Sonali.
Though channel hasn’t confirmed the exact launch date for the show, Sonali informs Indiantelevision.com of the two possibilities. “We haven’t locked down on any dates so far but the pilot episode will mostly likely air from either 8 February or 15 February,” she says.
As of now, the time slot too remains undecided for the show, though a source close to the development shared that the channel is considering a serious reshuffling of its programming slots to make room for this newcomer in the early prime time band of 8 pm. As the channel’s 7.30 pm show Zindagi Abhi Baaki Hai Mere Ghost goes off air from 7 February, it is rumoured to be replaced by the 8 pm time slot occupant Jaane Kya Hoga Rama Re, thereby leaving the band open for Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kant.
A weekday entertainer airing from Monday to Friday, Bahu Hamari Rajni_Kan will depict a dysfunctional modern family where women are hardly at home. In fact, unlike the typical mother and daughter-in-law dynamics one is used to seeing on television, the mother-in-law encourages her daughters-in-law to step out and do something in life.
“I would say the entire family are the main characters for the show and hence it is a complete family entertainer where audiences from all demographies will have their share of interest. There are several elements that will draw in men and kids to the show as well,” Sonali shares on the show’s target audience.
According to sources, w an ensemble cast consisting of new and old actors, the estimated per episode production cost of the show is in the range of Rs 9 – 10 lakh.
Given the science fiction element in the plot, the show is expected to incur a high cost, although the same reason will also ensure that the channel can target several electronic brands as potential advertisers, as it will showcase several gadgets and electronics. According to a source close to the development, the sitcom has already roped in Amazon.in and Panasonic as advertisers, though the details pertaining to the deal remain undisclosed.
While Sonali refused to divulge the particulars of the plot, a source informs that it is inspired by yesteryears’ children show Small Wonder with a completely new treatment.
The story will revolve around how a scientist is forced to marry his own brainchild ‘Rajni’ the robot under hilarious circumstances and the robot protagonist’s interactions with the entire family.
It is not the first time that a local show had borrowed the Small Wonder concept for a sitcom on Indian television. In fact Star had earlier attempted the format in their primary GEC channel Star Plus with Karishma Ka Karishma, which was produced by Sunil Doshi of Alliance Media & Entertainment. At a time when several GECs are revisiting the saas-bahu formula to keep the rural audience appeased, one can wonder if this challenging new concept will help the channel in the race for ratings.
