ITV

Tag: Santoshi Maa

  • &TV looks back at its greatest hits of 2020

    &TV looks back at its greatest hits of 2020

    MUMBAI: As 2020 comes to an end, &TV reflects on its year in review. The channel commenced the year with big bang launches of Bhakt Aur Bhagwan Se Judi Do Kahaniyian – Kahat Hanuman Jai Shri Ram and Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein in January. In the third quarter, as the shoots resumed, &TV kickstarted its creative campaign of #TayyariHumariZabardastHai, offering high-octane entertainment with Usse Bhi Zabardast Kirdars Aur Kahaniyans. Wrapping up the year on a high note, &TV recently launched the untold story of Yeshu for the first time on Hindi GEC. Produced by Arvind Babbal Productions, the show premiered on 22 December 2020.

    As the channel gears up to embrace the new year of 2021 filled with renewed energy, new hope with brand-new characters and stories, let us look back at the year gone by in detail.

    A fusion of Indian heartland culture

    Celebrating every facet, flavour, character, and stories that authentically bring alive the essence of our Indian culture, &TV presented wide-ranging stories and characters during the year.

    Santoshi Maa Sunaye Vrat Kathayein for the devout at heart, the age-old tradition of vrat kathas to attain peace and contentment in life. Conveying the message of the ultimate triumph of the sincerely devoted in a storytelling format, the socio-mythological show produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, marked the comeback of popular Bollywood actress Gracy Singh as Santoshi Maa. It also featured Tanvi Dogra portraying the role of Swati, an ardent devotee and how she makes her way through various problems under the guidance of Santoshi Maa and Ashish Kadian, essaying the role of Swati's husband, Indresh.

    For every God, there is a devotee. Still, it is Lord Hanuman's unyielding devotion and selfless dedication to Lord Ram that truly sets him apart and makes him the epitome of bhakti. A captivating story of devotion in its truest form, Kahat Hanuman Jai Shri Ram depicted the many unexplored sides of Lord Hanuman, including the purpose of his life. Giving viewers a glimpse of the unheard tale of Lord Shiva and the invincible evil Ravana, viewers witnessed the fascinating mythological journey of how Bal Hanuman eventually emerged as the greatest devotee of Lord Ram and managed to bring a successful end to Ravana's reign of terror. The show featured Ekagra Dwivedi essaying the young lead character of Hanuman along with Nirbhay Wadhwa as Bali, Sneha Wagh as Anjani (Hanuman's mother) and Jiten Lalwani as Kesari (Hanuman's father), amongst others.

    The iconic story of Yeshu

    In challenging times like today when despair is high, virtues like compassion, kindness, hope, love and forgiveness are the cornerstones of humanity that will help us sail through crisis. One iconic story where good overcomes evil and compassion trumps condemnation is that of Yeshu. &TV is proud to present, for the first time on a Hindi GEC, the untold, unheard tale of Yeshu.

    Yeshu is about an exceptionally benevolent child who only wants to do good and spread happiness all around him. His love and compassion for all is a stark contrast to the dark, evil forces prevalent during his lifetime. Witnessing the various atrocities on his family and in society has a deep impact on him. His attempt to help others and ease their pain often leads to situations where he inevitably ends up being hurt and condemned, by not just the oppressors, but also people at large. But even that does not stop Yeshu from continuing on his path. The show has a stellar cast comprising Vivaan Shah portraying the role of young Yeshu, Sonali Nikam as Mary, Aarya Dharmchand as Joseph, Darpan Srivastava as King Herod and Rudra Soni as Herod Antipas, amongst others.

  • No changes observed in Bhojpuri segment in BARC data week 43

    No changes observed in Bhojpuri segment in BARC data week 43

    MUMBAI: In the Bengali space, Sony Aath and Colors Bangla swapped their fourth and fifth positions in BARC data week 43. No changes were observed in Bhojpuri segment. Colors Super emerged as the new entrant in the Kannada space. Flowers TV climbed to the second position from fourth position as compared to the previous week in the Malayalam cluster. Moreover in the Marathi industry, Colors Marathi and Star Pravah interchanged their second and third positions. In the Tamil segment, Adithya TV emerged as the new player. Star Maa continued to be on first position in the Telugu market.

    Bangla

    No changes were observed in this space. Zee Bangla, Star Jalsha and Jasha Movies continued to be on first, second and third positions respectively with 331378 impressions '000s, 295427 impressions '000s and 67789 impressions '000s. Sony Aath and Colors Bangla swapped their fourth and fifth positions respectively with 56391 impressions '000s and 56034 impressions '000s.

    Bhojpuri

    This week, no changes were in this sector. Big Ganga, Bhojpuri Cinema, Bhojpuri Dhamaka Dishum, Housefull Action and Oscar Movies Bhojpuri retained their first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions with 51389 impressions '000s, 46840 impressions '000s, 13682 impressions '000s, 6207 impressions '000s and 3043 impressions '000s respectively.

    Kannada

    No changes were observed in this segment. Colors Kannada, Zee Kannada, Udaya TV and Udaya Movies continued to be at first, second, third and fourth positions with 469621 impressions '000s and 418930 impressions '000s, 213857 impressions '000s and 200083 impressions '000s respectively. Colors Super emerged as the new entrant with 183600 impressions '000s.

    Star Suvarna also retained their third, fourth and fifth positions with 254080 impressions '000s, 211542 impressions '000s and 157136 impressions '000s respectively.

    Malayalam

    Asianet, the Malayalam general entertainment channel from Star TV retained its first position this week as well with 294003 impressions '000s. Flowers TV climbed to the second position from fourth position as compared to the previous week with 91773 impressions '000s. Mazhavil Manorama, Surya TV and Asianet Movies stood at third, fourth and fifth positions with 90104 impressions '000s, 79966 impressions '000s and 66552 Impressions '000s respectively.

    Marathi

    Zee Marathi continued to be at its first position with 406700 impressions '000s. Colors Marathi and Star Pravah interchanged their second and third positions respectively with 138745 impressions '000s and 129570 impressions '000s.  Zee Talkies and Zee Yuva retained their fourth and fifth positions with 94246 impressions '000s and 45235 impressions '000s respectively.

    Tamil

    Sun TV, Zee Tamil, Star Vijay and KTV retained their first, second, third and fourth positions respectively with 929165 impressions '000s, 555197 impressions '000s, 466156 impressions '000s and 336509 impressions '000s. Adithya TV emerged as the new player in the segment with 94022 impressions '000s.  

    Telugu

    Star Maa continued to be at first position with 657938 impressions '000s . Zee Telugu, Gemini TV, ETV Telugu and Gemini Movies stood at second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively with 526928 impressions '000s, 493883 impressions '000s, 432005 impressions '000s and 211832 impressions '000s.

  • &TV’s Vikas Gupta heads for a new adventure

    &TV’s Vikas Gupta heads for a new adventure

    MUMBAI: Vikas Gupta has quit as the head of &TV programming. After serving a six-month notice, he has moved on. Gupta joined the channel on 1 September, 2015, and was reporting to &TV business head Rajesh Iyer.

    Confirming the news to Indiantelevision.com, Gupta mentioned, “While there were rumours that I left all of a sudden, I served two months in addition to my notice period. I have had an amazing time working with &TV. We have done such wonderful shows such as Santoshi Maa, Badho Bahu and Gangaa together, which I am leaving behind. I wish &TV all the best!.” Gupta also posted on a social media platform: “& I pack my bags for my next adventure.”

    Gupta started his career as a trainee with Balaji Telefilms and moved on to DJ’s Creative Unit as the associate creative head. He went back to Balaji Telefilms as the associate creative director and was involved with shows such as Kis Desh Main Hai Meraa Dil and Kitni Mohabbat Hai. He worked as MTV India programming head from February 2014 to December 2014.

    Interestingly, the TV fraternity also recognises him as the youngest creative director of the industry. He entered the industry at a young age of 19. After gathering significant experience, he turned to production and started his own production house — Lost Boy Productions — almost four years ago. Over the last three years, Lost Boy has produced shows such as Channel [V]’s Gumrah and The Serial (co-produced with Balaji Telefilms); as well as Bindass’ Yeh Hai Aashiqui.

  • &TV’s Vikas Gupta heads for a new adventure

    &TV’s Vikas Gupta heads for a new adventure

    MUMBAI: Vikas Gupta has quit as the head of &TV programming. After serving a six-month notice, he has moved on. Gupta joined the channel on 1 September, 2015, and was reporting to &TV business head Rajesh Iyer.

    Confirming the news to Indiantelevision.com, Gupta mentioned, “While there were rumours that I left all of a sudden, I served two months in addition to my notice period. I have had an amazing time working with &TV. We have done such wonderful shows such as Santoshi Maa, Badho Bahu and Gangaa together, which I am leaving behind. I wish &TV all the best!.” Gupta also posted on a social media platform: “& I pack my bags for my next adventure.”

    Gupta started his career as a trainee with Balaji Telefilms and moved on to DJ’s Creative Unit as the associate creative head. He went back to Balaji Telefilms as the associate creative director and was involved with shows such as Kis Desh Main Hai Meraa Dil and Kitni Mohabbat Hai. He worked as MTV India programming head from February 2014 to December 2014.

    Interestingly, the TV fraternity also recognises him as the youngest creative director of the industry. He entered the industry at a young age of 19. After gathering significant experience, he turned to production and started his own production house — Lost Boy Productions — almost four years ago. Over the last three years, Lost Boy has produced shows such as Channel [V]’s Gumrah and The Serial (co-produced with Balaji Telefilms); as well as Bindass’ Yeh Hai Aashiqui.

  • Rashmi Sharma Telefilms upbeat with 7 shows on air; mulls comedy show

    Rashmi Sharma Telefilms upbeat with 7 shows on air; mulls comedy show

    MUMBAI: What’s common between Star Plus’ Saath Nibhana Saathiya and Colors’ Sasural Simar Ka and Swaragini, which incidentally have also been among the top rated shows across the Hindi general entertainment channels (GEC) genre?

     

    The answer is simple – Rashmi Sharma Telefilms. All three chart topping shows have been produced by this decade old production house. 

     

    Apart from the three mentioned above, the production house currently has another three shows running across channels including Bhagyalakshmi and Santoshi Maa on &TV as well as Sarojini on Zee TV. What’s more, come 4 January, 2016 and Rashmi Sharma Telefilms will be taking its total shows on air tally to seven with the launch of Silsila Pyaar Ka on Star Plus, which will be aired in the 8.30 pm time band.

     

    What’s more, after trying its hand at different genres, Rashmi Sharma Telefilms is now planning to dabble into yet another genre. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Rashmi Sharma Telefilms producer Rashmi Sharma says, “We are working on a comedy concept but it’s too early to talk about it. But yes, in 2016 we might come up with a comedy show.”

     

    Throwing light on the production house’s run on Indian television so far, she further adds, “It’s purely hard work and the consistency that we maintain in changing the thought process of the shows. Not only with Saath Nibhana Saathiya or Sasural Simar Ka but with other shows like Swaragini and Santoshi Maa as well; we keep innovating with content and introduce new twists and turns, which makes the shows interesting and lively.”

     

    Saath Nibhana Saathiya and Sasural… are the banner’s two longest running shows and are also among the top five shows in Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India’s ratings. “One show is based on a Gujarati family, while the other is a Delhi based story and both stories are completely different from each other. We started with Simar’s story in Sasural Simar Ka but today the elements in the show are different. Not only that, they are also different from other shows that are on television. We try to maintain the DNA of our shows throughout their journey,” informs Sharma.

     

    The production house’s newest offering, Silsila Pyaar Ka revolves around the story of a mother who has controlled her son’s life and wants to write every chapter of his life. The story creates a twist when a girl enters his life.

     

    Silsila Pyaar Ka is replacing Balaji Telefilms’ Kuch Toh Hai Tere Mere Darmiyaan, which was launched on 29 September. Speaking on the same, Sharma says, “I can’t comment on the show as I have never seen it but I believe every show has its own destiny. When I started my shows Saathiya… and Sasural… I never thought that the shows would cross 1300 episodes. We believe in hard work and TRP is something, which is not in our hands. We look for quality and ratings are just the motivation to do better. But one can’t make shows on the basis of ratings. I still remember till about 80 episodes of Swaragini, we sustained at an average level but we never pulled down the show because of ratings. We never touched the foundation of the show. Even with Saathiya,till 100 episodes the show didn’t work well but we didn’t take off the show and today it’s one of the top shows on Star Plus.” 

     

    Talking about the early prime time slot that Saath Nibhana Saathiya created with its popularity, Sharma says, “For our show Saathiya, we waited for seven months for the time slot and at that time 7 pm was the slot that the channel agreed to give. As a production house we were excited to launch the show and it created its own prime time. It has worked well for us and for the channel as well. Even with Sasural Simar Ka, the channel was ready to give us the 7.30 pm time band as at 8 pm they had Balika Vadhu. Moreover, their others shows were also doing well and so we opted for 7.30 pm and it worked again. Initially Sasural Simar Ka didn’t work well and took time to establish. Today, it is one of the top rated shows on the channel.”

     

    With seven shows on air and another in the pipeline, the production house sure seems upbeat about its journey ahead.

  • &TV’s socio-mythology series Santoshi Maa to unfold from November 30

    &TV’s socio-mythology series Santoshi Maa to unfold from November 30

    MUMBAI: Indian television audiences are about to be wowed by a story of devotion and divinity. Starting November 30th, &TV presents a socio-mythology ‘Santoshi Maa’, the story of Goddess Santoshi and her ardent devotee’s undying belief.

    The show marks the comeback of popular Bollywood actress Gracy Singh as Santoshi Maa and the very talented Ratan Rajput as her devotee. Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, Santoshi Maa is the story of Santoshi, a loving girl with a heart of gold who has been a worshipper of the Goddess since childhood. Much like the Goddess of santosh or contentment, Santoshi has no malice or greed in her heart and believes in respecting every individual.

    The show will chart her journey and how her unfaltering faith in the Goddess bails her out of the most difficult situations. Tune into this divine intervention as Santosh ka path padhane aa rahi hai Santoshi Maa starting 30th November, every Mon-Fri at 9:00PM only on &TV!

    Other than the two stellar performers, the show brings together some of the best names in the industry to essay pivotal roles. The ensemble cast includes popular faces such as Ayaz Ahmed, Sayantani Ghosh, Sachin Shroff, Juhi Parmar, Kiran Janjani, and veterans including Parikshit Sahani, Upasna Singh and Onkardas Manekpuri among many others.

    Talking about the show, TV business head Rajesh Iyersaid “Santoshi Maa marks our foray into the socio-mytho genre thereby strengthening our programming slate. The concept of Santoshi Maa is introspective and very relevant given today’s evolving times. Furthermore, its universal theme and relatable plot will only enable us to reach out to a wider set of audience at a 9:00PM primetime slot.”

    Actress Gracy Singh who portrays Goddess Santoshi said “All these years I received so many offers for TV shows but nothing appealed to me. But I loved the concept of Santoshi Maa. It has a great storyline, much relevance in today’s times and is being made with a lot of sincerity. Portraying a Goddess on the small screen is extremely challenging but also satisfying at the same time. I am a believer myself and given the competitive environment that we are in, I don’t let negativity affect me, but I take time off to relax and enjoy and be content with what I have achieved. That’s what the show is also about.  I look forward to receiving a positive response from the viewers.”

    Talking about the show, Ratan Rajput, who will be seen as the key protagonist – the devotee Santoshi said, “I’m a big devotee of Santoshi Maa in real life too so when I was approached to play the role, I was immediately convinced about it. My character and the story of the devotee is a journey that I could completely relate to, which is why I chose to take up the show. From a broad perspective, the show gives out a message on contentment which is sorely missing… we all are so busy chasing most materialistic things and bigger goals that no one is satisfied with what they have achieved. We tend to ignore what we already have with us hence – Santosh ka paath padhane aa rahi hai Santoshi Maa… the show will help us realise and appreciate the positives in life.”

    The show that boasts of a great production, storyline, characters will be one of the most relatable shows that will have the audiences enamored! Stay tuned and watch Santoshi Maa starting 30th November every Mon-Fri at 9:00PM only on &TV!

  • &TV to launch horror mini-series anchored by Bipasha Basu

    &TV to launch horror mini-series anchored by Bipasha Basu

    MUMBAI: &TV has roped in Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu for its new mini-series in the horror genre named Dar Sabko Lagta Hai.

     

    Sources close to the developments confirmed to Indiantelevision.com that the mini-series television show in the horror genre will be anchored by the Basu.

     

    While a creative director will oversee the show as a whole, different directors will helm different episodes of the show.

     

    According to information available, the series is going to be episodic and will see a host of horror stories that will play out week after week.

     

    As was reported earlier by this website, the channel will soon be expanding its genre offering with the launch of socio-mythological showSantoshi Maa.

  • &TV to experiment with socio-mytho genre with ‘Santoshi Maa’

    &TV to experiment with socio-mytho genre with ‘Santoshi Maa’

    MUMBAI: Spreading its wings across genres, the newest Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) from the Zee Entertainment Enterprises stable – &TV is all set to experiment with the socio-mythological genre. The channel will soon be launching its first series in the genre titled Santoshi Maa.

    According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, the show is being produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms, which is known for popular fictions series like Bhagyalakshmi (&TV), Swaragini and Sasuraal Simar Ka (Colors) and Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (Star Plus).

    The channel has roped in veteran actress Aruna Irani, a popular face on &TV, for the show’s promo, which aired on prime time on 28 September.

    The promo features Irani as a successful superstar who has achieved fame, luxury and wealth, but is still seeking inner fulfillment and peace. The promo sees her delivering the line, “I have achieved everything in life but not satisfaction.”

    In recent years, Indian television has seen many mythological series dominating the prime time on Hindi GECs. Shows like Mahabharat, Santakmochan Mahabali Hanuman, Devo Ke Dev Mahadev and Surya Putra Karn are some of the shows that have managed to grab eyeballs on the small screen. What’s more, given the popularity of the genre in India, last year also witnessed the launch of a separate channel – The Epic Channel, which airs original content in the Indian history, folklore and mythology space.

    Santoshi Maa’s launch date on &TV has not yet been revealed by the channel.