ITV

Tag: Sunil Mehta

  • Sony’s ‘Saaksshi’ poised to lure women eye balls on weekends

    Sony’s ‘Saaksshi’ poised to lure women eye balls on weekends

    MUMBAI: Seems like Sony is all set to change that weekend thriller slot. Close on the heels of Kkehna Hai Kucch Mujhko, Sony Entertainment Television is all set to launch yet another woman-oriented drama in a one hour weekly titled Saaksshi.

    Starring Mouli Ganguly and Sameer Soni in lead roles, the show Cinevistaas’ show will air immediately after KHKM on Saturdays at 9 pm.

    ‘Directed by Rakesh Sarang (Sarhadein, Aashirwad, Aandhi), the show will premiere on 10 April.

    The show is about a middle class female protagonist Saaksshi Singh, who is committed to redressing the wrong. She has the courage and determination to break all norms and conventional moulds to follow her own calling in life. Her brother has been missing for seven years and since then she has never been able to come to terms with the loss. She believes that her calling in life is to fight injustice and hence enlists herself as an undercover operative in an anti-terrorist squad, a professional that demands complete detachment of all emotional ties.

    Thus begins her struggle to battle chauvinism and strike a perfect balance between her two lives- one of a sweet middle class daughter and the other of a tough undercover operative. She soon finds herself caught in the tumultuous world of an anti-terrorist squad that advocates complete commitment to duty and detachment from emotions to succeed in their missions.

    Speaking at a media meet, Cinevistaas’ managing director Sunil Mehta said, “Mouli Ganguly was our only choice for Saaksshi’s role. She is simply brilliant.”

    “In the past, Indian television has always portrayed women as submissive and dutiful hhousewives and mothers, whose lives perpetually revolved around their families. However, in today’s day and age, the Indian woman is increasingly aware of her capabilities and is garnering her courage and determination to make a mark in male dominated professions. Saaksshi is the channel’s endeavour to explore the various facets of the contemporary Indian woman, who aspires to take up a dynamic professiondespite stiff challenges,” offered SET India executive vice president – programming & response Tarun Katial.

    Ganguly, who recently opted out from Balaji’s late night show on Star Plus because she thought she was stagnating as an actress, sounded extremely upbeat. “In Saaksshi, I will be doing something really different after a long time,” she said, adding, “I am doing somew kicking and boxing in the serial. There are some professionals who are helping me out. It’s very challenging.”

    The male protagonist Soni (A Mouthful Of Sky, Ravi Chopra’s Baghban and Sony’s aggressively marketed Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin) informed, “I am back on television and enjoying every minute of it. In this serial, I play Shekhar Gupta who is Saaksshi’s boss in the anti-terrorist squad. Some officials are against her, but I see the talent and the passion she has to make it. I stand by her. I am quite liking the fact that I am doing a lot of stunts in this portrayal.”

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Cinevistaas’ Chairman Prem Kishen said, “Our experience with Sony Entertainment Television has been really heartwarming. Our last show before this one, Crime Patrol, aired on SET, has done pretty well. There is no reason why Saaksshi should not do much better.”

    Whether the channel’s dream and the actors’ optimism on the show will prove correct, we will soon know.

  • Prasar Bharati outlines strict guidelines for programmes on DD

    NEW DELHI: Shape up, or ship out. This is the message that Prasar Bharati is giving out to private producers of programmes who have made hay for long while the Doordarshan sun shone.
    Pointing out that from now on, DD would be insisting on a programme notching a certain amount of TRP if it wants to continue being on the DD platform, Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma told indiantelevision today, ” We are likely to insist on serials and other entertainment programmes getting between 6-8 TRP between the 10th and 13th episode. If that does not happen, such programmes will be phased out.”
    The payment for programmes would also be made around the 10th episode once the TRPs start coming. The copyright, unlike in the past as in the case of mega serials like BR Chopra’s Mahabharata and Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, would now be DD’s.
    If this sounds like a bit far-fetched, then hang on. Prasar Bharati is getting savvy and is in no mood to tolerate any nonsense from private producers, a la private satellite channels who have stringent agreements with outside programme producers.
    In a landmark decision taken during the course of a two-day board meet ended yesterday, India’s pubcaster, managing the affairs of Doordarshan and All India Radio, has also decided that those producers who owe money to DD and have gone to the court seeking legal redressal would not be allowed to use the DD platform unless they mend their ways.
    The deadline for this is 15 August, according to Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma, who said, “If the defaulters (four of them) don’t come around and submit a repayment plan, DD will not allow them to make programmes even on the basis of advance payment.”
    Sarma said all noted producers would be welcome but defaulters will be excluded from it. In fact, the Prasar Bharati heard four major defaulters -Sunil Mehta, Dheeraj Kumar of Creative Eye, Ramanand Sagar and Sanjay Khan’s Numero Uno— and the board finally “rejected” their claims, Sarma added.
    Superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL, once a leading defaulter, has cleared the principle amount, he added. At one time, Bachchan had even agreed to do public service messages for free on DD in lieu against another portion of the outstanding due to the pubcaster.
    Prasar Bharati board has also decided to give life insurance cover to its employees in the strife-torn Jammu & Kashmir state. Recently kashmiri miltants had attached the AIR facility there.

  • “We intend having three to four serials on each satellite channel”

    “We intend having three to four serials on each satellite channel”

    Prem Kishen, along with Sunil Mehta, started the TV production house, Cinevistaas, nearly 17 years ago. After producing scores of successful serials – including the hugely popular Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Junoon and the current hits – Sanjivaniand Sshh… Koi Hai, they have now expanded into a new area of business.

    Cinevistaas has recently acquired a huge studio at Kanjur Marg in suburban Mumbai. The duo plans to spruce it up with the best facilities and make it a state of the art shooting experience that can be availed of even by Hollywood.Cinevistaas also plans to get into full-fledged production of feature films.

    In a tete-a-tete with indiantelevision.com correspondent Amar, Prem Kishen talks at length about the company’s future plans. Excerpts –

    Can you tell us more about the new studio that you have acquired  at Kanjur Marg?
    Yes, we have just acquired this state of the art studio spread across five acres in Kanjur Marg. Basically, we were planning to acquire this space for quite some time. In fact, the basic objective of our public issue was setting up this studio. It’s just that it took us a long time to finalise the location. This would be a one of its kind studio with all facilities and departments – lighting, cameras, the art department, the sets and planks and the best production facilities under one roof. Besides, it will have the largest shooting floor in India. In fact, the facilities we plan to provide are exemplary so much so that we even hope to have people from Hollywood coming in and shooting here in the future. Obviously, we have made a huge investment in it and also expect to reap rich profits.

    What has been your investment and what profits do you expect vis-a-vis the investments?
    I wouldn’t like to disclose the figures and this is also because I consider myself only a creative person and don’t bother myself with financial details.
    “I believe that mergers and partnerships are the way to grow in present times“

    Of late, Cinevistaas has been producing a lot of programmes as co-productions with Contiloe and now withKaarnik.  Does Cinevistaas need co-productions?
    I believe that mergers and partnerships are the way to grow in present times. We all have our limitations as far as our creative faculties are concerned and I feel it is only right to involve other people who have bright ideas but do not have adequate resources.  In principle, I am open to partnerships with anybody.

    But what is your agreement with Contiloe or Kaarnik?
    I wouldn’t like to go into the intricacies except that we have divided work areas between us depending on our strengths and of course, we share profits as well.

    Which genres appeal to you?
    Personally, I’m open to all genres as long as I can create a good product and have no specific favourites. Over the years, we have excelled in almost every genre – costume drama, comedy, drama, thrillers and in the future, plan to cater to every possible genre.

    On what basis do you choose a channel?
    We are open to any channel. The only criterion is the deal offered by the channel at a given point of time.

    Cinevistaas has also ventured into film production. Can you elaborate on your plans as far as film production goes?
    Well, we plan to develop into an all-pervasive production house, well diversified into serials, feature films, corporate and ad-films and music. So, in future we plan to take up several movies in the same way as we do serials. But I can’t comment on when these movies would go on the floors, as a lot would depend on the market conditions.

    Our first movie, Yeh Mohabbat Hai was a co-production with Eagle Films. Our second movie, an independent project and for which we have signed Salman Khan, will go on the floors very soon.

    “Yeh Mohabbat Hai’s unimpressive
    performance had dealt
    us a bit of a setback
    but we are already
    on our way
    to recovery    “

    How do you divide responsibilities with your partner, Sunil Mehta?
    Sunil concentrates on the finance and scripting of our serials, while I look after the execution of projects.

    Sunil’s and your sons are also actively involved with the company. Are they being groomed to take over the reins of the company?
    Well, yes, you can say that. Sanjivani is my son Siddharth Malhotra’s baby and he is involved with it in every possible way, whereas Sunil’s son Uday Singh looks after Ssshh Koi Hai…. Sunil’s other son, Vijay Singh is looking after our film production business. They are capable boys and have handled their respective projects superbly. Obviously, they are going to play a significant role in shaping Cinevistaas’ future.

    Does Cinevistaas not plan to put programmes on DD again like SABe TV did?
    It’s true that Doordarshan used to be a major strategic ally for us some two years ago. But right now, we are locked in a court battle with them for canceling the telecast of our game show Knockout just days before it was scheduled to start. Till the matter is sub judice, I would not like to talk about any future association that we might get into with DD.

    In spite of being an early starter and having been in the business for nearly 17 years, Cinevistaas has not really matched the success of a Balaji or UTV as far as the programming volumes is concerned. Where has it failed?
    I don’t think we have failed anywhere. In fact, our performance has been the most consistent for a production house that has been in the business for so long. It’s just that at present we have fewer programmes on air, but this phase will soon change. Actually, our movie Yeh Mohabbat Hai’s unimpressive performance had dealt us a bit of a setback but we are already on our way to recovery. In the next few weeks, we will have a daily soap on air even though I would not like to talk about it right now.

    How do you see things shaping up for Cinevistaas in the near future?
    I see ourselves progressing on all fronts. We intend having three to four serials on each of the satellite channels. At least one movie – the one with Salman, will go on the floors. Besides, we expect to complete the installation of all facilities in this studio, which we have acquired. In fact we are already in talks with a couple of Hollywood producers to utilize our studio and when that happens, it will be a major achievement for us.

  • “We intend having three to four serials on each satellite channel” : Prem Kishen

    “We intend having three to four serials on each satellite channel” : Prem Kishen

    Prem Kishen, along with Sunil Mehta, started the TV production house, Cinevistaas, nearly 17 years ago. After producing scores of successful serials – including the hugely popular Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Junoon and the current hits – Sanjivani Sshh Koi Hai, they have now expanded into a new area of business.

    Cinevistaas has recently acquired a huge studio at KanjurMarg in suburban Mumbai. The duo plans to spruce it up with the best facilities and make it a state of the art shooting experience that can be availed of even by Hollywood.Cinevistaas also plans to get into full-fledged production of feature films.

    In an interview with indiantelevision.com correspondent Amar, Prem Kishen talks at length about the company’ s future plans. Excerpts –

    Can you tell us more about the new studio that you have acquired at Kanjur Marg?
    Yes, we have just acquired this state of the art studio spread across five acres in Kanjur Marg. Basically, we were planning to acquire this space for quite some time. In fact, the basic objective of our public issue was setting up this studio. It’s just that it took us a long time to finalise the location. This would be a one of its kind studio with all facilities and departments – lighting, cameras, the art department, the sets and planks and the best production facilities under one roof. Besides, it will have the largest shooting floor in India. In fact, the facilities we plan to provide are exemplary, so much so that we even hope to have people from Hollywood coming in and shooting here in the future. Obviously, we have made a huge investment in it and also expect to reap rich profits.
     
    What has been your investment and what profits do you expect vis-a-vis the investments?
    I wouldn’ t like to disclose the figures and this is also because I consider myself only a creative person and don’t bother myself with financial details.
     
    “I believe that mergers and partnerships are the way to grow in present times”  
     
    Of late, Cinevistaas has been producing a lot of programmes as co-productions with Contiloe and now with Kaarnik. Does Cinevistaas need co-productions?
    I believe that mergers and partnerships are the way to grow in present times. We all have our limitations as far as our creative faculties are concerned and I feel it is only right to involve other people who have bright ideas but do not have adequate resources. In principle, I am open to partnerships with anybody.
     
    But what is your agreement with Contiloe or Kaarnik?
    I wouldn’t like to go into the intricacies except that we have divided work areas between us depending on our strengths and of course, we share profits as well.
     
    Which genres appeal to you?
    Personally, I’m open to all genres as long as I can create a good product and have no specific favourites. Over the years, we have excelled in almost every genre – costume drama, comedy, drama, thrillers and in the future, plan to cater to every possible genre.
     
    On what basis do you choose a channel?
    We are open to any channel. The only criterion is the deal offered by the channel at a given point of time.
     
    Cinevistaas has also ventured into film production. Can you elaborate on your plans as far as film production goes?
    Well, we plan to develop into an all-pervasive production house, well diversified into serials, feature films, corporate and ad-films and music. So, in future we plan to take up several movies in the same way as we do serials. But I can’t comment on when these movies would go on the floors, as a lot would depend on the market conditions.
     
    Our first movie,Yeh Mohabbat Hai was a co-production with Eagle Films. Our second movie, an independent project and for which we have signed Salman Khan, will go on the floors very soon.
     
    “Yeh Mohabbat Hai’s unimpressive
    performance had dealt
    us a bit of a setback
    but we are already
    on our way
    to recovery”    		  
     
    How do you divide responsibilities with your partner, Sunil Mehta?
    Sunil concentrates on the finance and scripting of our serials, while I look after the execution of projects.
     
    Sunil’s and your sons are also actively involved with the company. Are they being groomed to take over the reins of the company?
    Well, yes, you can say that. Sanjivani is my son Siddharth Malhotra’s baby and he is involved with it in every possible way, whereas Sunil’s son Uday Singh looks after Ssshh Koi Hai… Sunil’s other son, Vijay Singh is looking after our film production business. They are capable boys and have handled their respective projects superbly. Obviously, they are going to play a significant role in shaping Cinevistaas’ future.
     
    Does Cinevistaas not plan to put programmes on DD again like SABe TV did?
    It’s true that Doordarshan used to be a major strategic ally for us some two years ago. But right now, we are locked in a court battle with them for canceling the telecast of our game show Knockout just days before it was scheduled to start. Till the matter is sub judice, I would not like to talk about any future association that we might get into with DD.
     
    In spite of being an early starter and having been in the business for nearly 17 years,Cinevistaas has not really matched the success of a Balaji or UTV as far as the programming volumes is concerned. Where has it failed?
    I don’t think we have failed anywhere. In fact, our performance has been the most consistent for a production house that has been in the business for so long. It’s just that at present we have fewer programmes on air, but this phase will soon change. Actually, our movie Yeh Mohabbat Hai’s unimpressive performance had dealt us a bit of a setback but we are already on our way to recovery. In the next few weeks, we will have a daily soap on air even though I would not like to talk about it right now.
     
    How do you see things shaping up for Cinevistaas in the near future?
    I see ourselves progressing on all fronts. We intend having three to four serials on each of the satellite channels. At least one movie – the one with Salman, will go on the floors. Besides, we expect to complete the installation of all facilities in this studio, which we have acquired. In fact we are already in talks with a couple of Hollywood producers to utilize our studio and when that happens, it will be a major achievement for us.
  • Cinevista take DD to court for knocking out Knock Out!!

    Cinevista take DD to court for knocking out Knock Out!!

    What a Knock Out it was! Cinevista promoters Sunil Mehta and Prem Krishen got the shock of their lives after they were told by Prasar Bharati chief R.R. Shah that the game show Knock-Out that the production company was going to produce for DD had been called off. This week they announced that they were taking the state-owned broadcaster to Court and that they had filed a writ petition against its decision to garbage it.

    In early December Cinevista had had a high profile announcement that they would be doing the show and veteran cinema actor Kabir Bedi had been signed on to host it. Reams of media coverage had been given to Kabir Bedi and Knock-Out for almost a fortnight. Then there was total silence followed by Shah’s announcement.

    The reason given by DD for dumping the show: its holding company, Prasar Bharati, thought that Knock-Out was all about chance and that meant it was akin to gambling, which was something DD should not be encouraging. The show carried a maximum prize of Rs 10.2 million and had been for one hour every Sunday at 21:00 hrs.

    Cinevista says the show was not a commissioned one but belonged in the sponsored category and any losses incurred on it would be its responsibility. Hence DD should not have taken the course of action it has. Mehta and Krishen say they have tried to convince DD to take back its decision with not luck; hence they are taking legal recourse now.