ITV

Tag: Ravi Rai

  • Zee ready with 4 more shows; promo launch planned differently

    Zee ready with 4 more shows; promo launch planned differently

    MUMBAI: Zee TV is ready with a new set of programming initiatives. The channel, which launched two primetime soaps over the last three months, has now found the time ripe to launch four more shows.

    While Cinevista’s Paalkhi will hit the tube on 13 June, Ketan Mehta’s Time Bomb and Ravi Rai’s Kasshish will be launched on 20 June. The Aruna Irani-written Rabba Ishq Na Hove will be launched in early June.

    Zee TV has also conceptualised a new plan to convey the news to its viewers. The channel will unveil promos of the new shows during the screening of the blockbuster movie Mujhse Shaadi Karogi on 5 June at 8 pm.

    “The promos (for the new shows) will air during the Sunday movie screening, says Zee TV marketing head Tarun Mehra.

    “This is purely based on feedback that we generated after we conducted a research that asked what would the viewers ideally like to see during the movie breaks,” offers a Zee TV spokesperson.

    Zee Cinema had earlier used the same movie to experiment with breaks. Then the channel had aired a game show during the movie break.

    The new shows:

    Time Bomb will be a fixed duration serial that will run for 24 weeks as a weekly one hour show (Monday 10 pm – 11 pm). As the name suggests, it is an action thriller, starring Indian tube’s hot stars Akashdeep and Rajiv Khandelwal in the lead roles.

    With Kasshish, Zee TV continues its flirting with the adult programming genre. The 11 pm soap, which is revolves around extramarital affairs, replaces Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. Simone Singh and Ayub Khan play a married couple in the soap.

    Rabba Ishq Na Hove has its title track by Sukhvinder Singh. The soap features Sangeeta Ghosh in the title role. The fourth show Paalkhi stars Karisshma Tanna and Abhay Vakil in the lead roles.

  • Ravi Rai plans Zee show; to direct feature film

    MUMBAI: Suchitra Entertainment (I) and Krishna Images MD Ravi Rai has emerged out of his three-year hibernation. He has conceived a pilot for Zee TV – a serial called Hamara Ghar. He will also be directing a feature film for Ashish Chanana who is making six films for the Sahara Motion Pictures company.
    Writer-director Ravi Rai, the maker of soaps – Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, Imtihan, Sparsh and Teacher – is also gung-ho about Authorship – the outfit which will employ a team of writers to constitute a one-of-its-kind script shop.
    Claiming that Zee TV is trying out a lot of things, Rai says that Hamara Ghar will be made straight from the heart – it won’t be like the other soaps currently running on television – “Middle class ‘Alice in Wonderland’ types,” as he calls them.
    Rai says he went into self-imposed exile three years ago as he was not “inspired” by the work being done on television then. “People are talking of a TV revolution. How can there be a revolution if there has been a dearth in quality TV writing since years. The director in me used to be backed by the writer in me. Even today, people come up with good concepts but haven’t been able to translate it successfully,” says Rai.
    When questioned about the fact that the so-called formula fetches TRPs and ad bucks, Rai asserts: “A high quality serial made from the heart always fetches money. My serial Sailaab was successful and I made a lot of money from it although it wouldn’t fall into the so-called groove! It was competing with Close Up Antakshari; my Imtihaan gave Shri Krishna a run for the ad spend.”
    Blaming it on the “gang” which dominates television today, Rai says: “Some of the new kids on the block have rendered literature redundant. They are not even familiar with the classics – works of say a Tolstoy or a Tagore. Such people cannot sit as the jury and judge of TV producers.”
    Rai has also firmed up plans to ensure that he creates a young breed of professionals who will understand the significance of creativity and give it due weightage. “I am planning to start a training institute for youngsters who wish to write or direct content for television. After all, it takes time, effort to nurture and mould young talent. The elder generation of writers and directors can learn a lot from the younger generation – make their thought processes contemporary.” Rai also plans to tie up with Writer’s Association in order to attract talent.
    While insisting that there has to be a flow of information and exchange of thoughts between the younger breed, Rai says that the process of understanding each writer or director is a psychological exercise.
    Rai also claims that the current dismal scenario has a lot to do with the fact that the individual creative geniuses have been bitten by the “corporate” and “institutionalising” bug.
    “People like Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt or Raj Kapoor were great thinkers too. Most of the television and film related success stories were a result of the passion and inspiration of single minds. When these people try to create corporate entities and delegate work, they fail to deliver because people down the line don’t have the same kind of passion,” says Rai.
    For Authorship and his training institute, Rai plans to have a full-fledged sales team who will approach producers, film makers and directors. Rai says he has already received a favourable reaction from film makers such as Viveck Vaswani.

  • Writer Ravi Rai to start ‘script shop’ Authorship

    MUMBAI: After television broadcasting distribution specialists Fifth Avenue Media Services, it is the turn of a specialised outfit which offers writing services to TV producers, channels and even film producers. Business processes outsourcing (BPO) seems to have become the name of the game in the Indian television industry!
    Ravi Rai, the maker of successful soaps – Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, Imtihan, Sparsh and Teacher – is ready with his latest venture authorship. To be a subsidiary of Rai’s company, Krishna Images, the outfit will employ a team of writers who will constitute a one-of-its-kind script shop.
    Rai has already bagged some assignments from Bollywood producers such as Ashish Chanana and is in the process of appointing a sales team who will approach TV producers and channel programming heads. “We shall enter into an agreement with the producer or the channel and deliver screenplay, scripts based on the individual requirements. Our team will offer a ‘menu’ of options and a la carte services,” says Rai.


    Rai had been toying with the idea of starting an outfit which could offer a menu of writing related services. “Several producers and channel programming teams have good concepts and ideas. However, they don’t have talented writers who will give a proper structure form and shape to the ideas,” says Rai who strongly feels that the writer in him dominated the director in him.
    Authorship will employ a team of talented writers – each of who will specialise in different genres such as crime, or social themes or high society preoccupations or family oriented topics amongst others. Each writer will have a core domain knowledge and specialise in one particular genre. Rai will supervise the team and offer inputs based on his experience.
    “In the case of television, good script writing is like creating a map where the maker is very clear about where he starts off and ends. It is necessary to have the alternate options ready in place even before the serial starts airing. Currently, makers of software start telecasts and then panic when the serial doesn’t pick up. They resort to gimmicks and this damages the flow of the soap or serial,” says Rai.
    When questioned about the fact that Rai had a reputation of being a creative hotshot who didn’t like interference in his scripts, Rai clarifies: “Well, with Authorship, we are making an effort of moving into the service industry. Yes, we shall provide choices to the client but will ultimately do what the producer or channel wants us to do. Authorship will not impose but serve.”
    Eventually, Rai also plans to start an institute which will mould writers, actors and directors. “By itself, Authorship will be a school where different insights will be made available to the team of writers. I understand that each writer will come from a different background and have varied tastes. But each of them will bring some insight and understanding of certain issues. I shall nurture and mould their talent and tune them to the requisite level so that the writer will bloom!” promises Rai.

    Also read:

    Interview with Ravi Rai – Marketing considerations have overtaken programming needs.

     

  • “Marketing considerations have overtaken programming needs” : director Ravi Rai

    “Marketing considerations have overtaken programming needs” : director Ravi Rai

    Ravi Rai should ideally rank among the most successful TV writers-directors-producers in India.

    The maker of hugely successful soaps – Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai, Sparsh and Teacher is, however, disappointed today with the quality of drama that is being churned out in soaps. Rai feels that they are replete with unjustified negativity. Critics on the other hand, have been ruthless, saying that Rai’s style of story-telling has become redundant today. As if to give a fitting reply, Rai has re-invented his style to create a thriller- Parchhaiyaan, a daily soap on Sahara TV.

    The master craftsman however remains firm on not joining the rat race and becoming a me-too producer. He has instead decided to live life on his own terms, spending a lot of his time reading and writing a collection of short stories. In a tete-a tete with indiantelevision.com correspondent, Amar, Rai talks about the present programming scenario vis-?-vis his own preferences.

    Excerpts-

    Almost all your serials were based on relationships. What makes you re-invent your style and venture into unexplored territory now with a thriller?
    Well, that’s a difficult question, but I believe there are two reasons that prompted this change. One, times are changing and today the narrative needs to move a lot quicker. Thrillers are in great demand. At the same time, I’m told that my kind of story-telling no longer works, which I personally would not agree with. But then, because we have to cater to what the channel demands, I have no choice but to re-invent myself.
     
    But what is the basic difference between the serials that are working today and your super- hits- ‘Sailaab’, ‘Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai’?
    The basic difference is that today all these soaps thrive on negativity. A family soap has become synonymous with two bitchy sisters-in-law, a monstrous mother-in -law and a lecherous male member. There is so much bitchiness and so many inane skirmishes that I could never relate with. In my serials, all characters were positive and yet the drama was engrossing. In Sailaab, for instance, when the male protagonist decides to go with the other woman, all sides and viewpoints were presented with such conviction that the audience actually did not know whether to side with the husband or the wife. The same sensitivity is not there today.
     
    “Even though I don’t have the same passion in me for Parchaiyaan that I had for a Sailaab or Sparsh, I don’t mind writing it if this is the kind of programme that the channels and the viewers want”
     
    But what is the result of this change?
    Unfortunately, producers have no say as far as the programming initiatives are concerned and channels have this arrogance about them, which makes them thrust their concepts on the producers. Today, marketing considerations have overtaken programming needs. Today, a family drama has to depict so much agony and infighting that I would much rather watch the coverage of a natural calamity or an air crash on BBC than one of these soaps.
     
    How was ‘Parchaiyyan’ conceived?
    Well, the concept came to us from a writer called Anusha. We presented it to several channels. Sahara liked it but wanted it as a daily.
     
    But isn’t the story too linear for a daily soap? Viewers feel that the story has hardly moved in the last few weeks.
    I agree it’s not the ideal subject for a daily soap but that is what makes it all the more challenging. I personally would not agree with the observation that the story has not moved. There is a method and a progression in the protagonist’s madness (played by Achint Kaur) till the time she becomes a killer on the prowl.
     

    Do you personally relate with ‘Parchaiyaan’ as a writer?
    See, very early in my career I achieved phenomenal success and won several awards. After that I needed a strong stimulant to spur me on but by then, my kind of programmes were totally out. The creative person in me did not want to be an also ran and do what was thrust upon me, but at the same time my practical self realized that I had to do something for my survival.

    So, even though I don’t have the same passion in me for Parchaiyaan that I had for a Sailaab or Sparsh, I don’t mind writing it if this is the kind of programme that the channels and the viewers want. The basic difference between writing my earlier serials and Parchhaiyaan is that, for those serials the motivation would come from within and no other thought or consideration would be there in my mind except that I should bring out the story with utmost honesty and sincerity. However, for Parchaiyaan, the approach is different. I have to do a lot of structuring. I have to follow the mix and match approach as far as plot movements and creation of scenes between the key characters are concerned. This has been a new experience for me.
     
    ‘Parchaiyaan’ saw a huge promotion being undertaken by Sahara. Was it the channel’s initiative or did you play a part in it?
    No, the promotions were entirely Sahara’s initiative. In fact, they have been very supportive throughout and I’m happy that Parchhaiyaan is being treated as one of the channel drivers.
     
    Which genres personally appeal to you?
    Personally, I have no preference for genres. I would have loved to do a comedy or murder mystery but then nobody allowed me to do one because the moment my earlier serials became successful, I got slotted in the ‘relationships’ genre. I would love to venture into different genres but whatever I do will have its own individuality, a style which is my own.
     
    “I would have loved to do a comedy or murder mystery but then nobody allowed me to do one because the moment my earlier serials became successful, I got slotted in the ‘relationships’ genre “
     
    You have been one of the very few successful writers-directors-producers. How do you balance these different responsibilities?
    Well, the last time I produced, wrote and directed a serial must have been three years ago. Yes, even though I was very successful, my schedules were chaotic. I would wake up at five, do some writing, then leave for my shoots and end my day around midnight. Gradually, I realised that I was losing out on so many things in life. So, in the last few months, I have completely re organised my life. Since I’m essentially a writer, I’m writing but in the future I would not direct a serial unless the subject really excites me. I also spend a lot of time reading.
     
    Last year, your soap ‘Ateet’ which was one of the new soaps that Zee came up with in its overhauling turned out to be a complete washout. What went wrong?
    The channel’s interference. Ateet was one project of mine where I hardly had any say because everything -right from the story tracks to the way a shot had to be taken, was being dictated by the channel. Once you lose your conviction in something, it invariably hampers your product.
     
    Your office is full of pictures of your idol, Mahesh Bhatt. What are the things you have imbibed from him?
    Well, I have assisted Bhattsaab for five years. More than as director, I’ve learnt a lot from him as a writer. The ability to improvise on your real life experiences and adapt them into fiction without compromising on the essence of a happening is what I have imbibed from him. I also admire him for his honesty, his fearlessness and the fact that he will always stand by what he believes in.
     
    “Text”
     
    In hindsight, is there any project you are unhappy with?
    Yes, Sparsh. Sparsh actually got mixed responses. Some people liked it, yet others felt it should have been more engrossing. Personally, it was a bit of a letdown for me because it came after Sailaab, which I rate as my best piece of work. I wanted to improve on Sailaab, but beyond a stage my thought process just got zapped and I had problems bringing it out the way I had conceived it. And of course I hate to think of Ateet.
     
    But did you never plan to grow into a big production house a la Balaji or UTV?
    No, I produced serials only because I felt that much more attached and inspired to bring out what I wrote with all passion. Producing a serial gave me the opportunity to have complete control over things. But if I ventured into too many soaps, my personal touch would have gone. I would ideally produce only those programmes which I can personally nurture and be involved with creatively.
     
    What do you see yourself doing in the near future?
    Well, very soon, Satyamev Jayate, a soap that we are producing, will come on air. Personally, I want to lead a peaceful life and pursue many interests that I have lost out on in the last few years. So, apart from writing for TV, I’ll be bringing out a book which will be a collection of short stories written by me.
  • Sahara TV to take on a new look 15 August; slew of new shows being readied

    Sahara TV to take on a new look 15 August; slew of new shows being readied

    For long a has-been, Sahara TV is now gearing up to stand up and be counted. In preparation for a major programming revamp that is rolling out in September, the channel is going in for a new look on 15 August. Aimed to coincide with Independence Day, the channel will sport new graphics as well as a couple of new shows.

     

    The channel also has plans to introduce a special weekend programming line-up within the next two months, says Sahara TV president Satish Menon.

     

    Among the new programmes that are to be launched on the channel in a phased manner in the next few months is Parchhaiyan, a suspense soap that premiered on Monday. Slotted in the 9 pm prime time band Mondays to Thursdays, the Ravi Rai directed series starring Milind Gunaji and Reena Wadhwa is pitched directly against family soaps on mainstream satellite channels, says Menon.

     

    The channel’s Independence Day programming line up includes a mega entertainment show titled Bharat Parva featuring Bollywood’s top stars. And continuing in that nationalistic vein, an hour long weekly show Mission Fateh, an ode to soldiers on the battlefront, launches 16 August at 9 pm. Each episode will feature the saga of a martyr fighting for the country in the unfriendly terrain of Kargil.

     

    Among the channel’s new shows lined up for September is an adapted version of the classic hit series I Love Lucy with retired former Bollywood superstar Sridevi in the lead role. Post-September will also see Sahara coming out with a strong weekend programming line up, says Menon.

     

    The channel recently appointed SSC&B to promote its programmes, Shubh Mangal Savdhan and Parchhaiyan in a multi media campaign encompassing print, outdoor and radio. The task of making the new graphics and new look of Sahara TV has been given to graphics major Crest Communications, says Menon.

  • Zee readies launch of five new serials

    Zee readies launch of five new serials

    Come February and the question of whether the Zee empire can strike back after the disaster that was 2000 should become clear. Five new serials are ready for launch and there is a lot riding on them as chairman Subhash Chandra takes his channel back to the future with its core competence of making great programmes.

    The five new serials are ‘Samander’, ‘Aanchal Ke Chaon Mein’, ‘Gardish’, ‘Anokhee’ and ‘Kaise Kahoon’, as per the channel sources

    Two of the serials would be aired at prime time. And others are likely to be slotted at noon

    According to press reports, ‘Gardish’, produced by Ravi Rai, will be telecast every Tuesday while ‘Aanchal’ will be aired every Wednesday. These are the days when Zee’s television rating points (TRPs) are the lowest.

    The latest Intam data for the three-week period starting December 18, 2000, indicates that Zee’s TRPs have seen a sharp fall in the 9:30 pm to 10 pm slot for Tuesday and Wednesday while, on Monday, Thursday and Friday, the ratings were comparatively better.