MUMBAI: 2020 has been a year of significant ups and downs for the Indian television industry. While the year began on a high note with Zee TV along with other Hindi GECs launching fresh and engaging content for its viewers, the year soon saw a low with the novel Coronavirus rearing its head. During the crucial phase of the lockdown where each and every person was spending time at home, struggling to stay afloat in the battle against the pandemic, the need for entertainment was more than ever. In this space where channels came to the rescue with various forms of content, old and new, Zee TV kept its loyalists entertained all through the year. As we gear up to embrace another year full of opportunities with a fresh outlook, let’s have a look at the year gone by.
Beginning 2020 in a grand style
After seven successful seasons of ruling reality television, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs once again opened its doors to welcome India’s finest young singing talent with season eight of the show. While the popular singers Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan ventured on the journey as the judges and mentors of the show, Himesh Reshammiya and Javed Ali came aboard and stepped in for Kumar and Udit as the new judges post lockdown. With various celebrities from Sajid Khan to Govinda and even Poonam Dhillon gracing the stage with their presence, the show culminated with Li’l Champ Aryananda Babu being crowned the winner.
Set against the backdrop of Devprayag, Qurbaan Hua is an intense drama about two passionate young individuals, Neel (Karan Jotwani and currently Rajveer Singh) and Chahat (Pratibha Ranta) who are completely different people hailing from starkly different backgrounds and cultures. Being on a mission of their own, they sacrifice the single-most important and intimate relationship of life by tying the knot with each other, without a trace of love that forms the foundation of any marriage. While Neel is burning with the fire of revenge for his sister’s death, Chahat is single-mindedly determined to clear her abbu’s name as she’s convinced he had no role to play in the death of Neel’s sister. Via the show, Zee TV brought forth the question to its viewers – To what lengths will these warriors of love go for the love and pride of their family?
Reviving the nostalgia around classics
Zee TV brought back some of its most iconic shows and left no stone unturned to entertain its audience to the fullest during the Covid2019 lockdown.
A universal favourite across generations, Hum Paanch made a mega comeback on public demand on the channel after 25 years. The iconic show that brought together a stellar cast, narrated the story of Anand Mathur and his amusing middle class family comprising his wife Bina Mathur and his five daughters, who would constantly plot plans to turn his world upside down. Adding more chaos and confusion to his life is the photo frame of his late wife, who occasionally talks to him and nags him on certain decisions.
In addition to this, Zee TV brought back episodes of its first inter-generational family saga set amidst a modern Muslim milieu, Qubool Hai. Following the journey of Zoya (played by Surbhi Jyoti), the show gave an interesting insight into the world of the Muslim community and the progressive changes that take place within.
A mix of spine-chilling tales and period drama
With another surprise up its sleeve, Zee TV brought back a collection of some of the spookiest short horror stories of ghosts and spirits that scared the daylights out of everyone back in the day. Along with re-introducing The Zee Horror Show, it also narrated the classic tale of Akbar Birbal that not only made people laugh with its majestic storytelling but also imparted some valuable life lessons to its viewers.
A reality flashback
The most popular seasons of Dance India Dance and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs saw a comeback on television with the superhit judges' trio of Terence Lewis, Remo D'Souza and Geeta Kapoor along with Neha Kakkar, Himesh Reshammiya and Javed Ali respectively.
While the current youth icons – Shakti Mohan, Dharmesh Yelande and Punit Pathak revived the energy amongst viewers with their splendid dance performances, the Li’l champs brought melody to their ears through some soulful performances.
Bhakti ki shakti
Offering its viewers an escape into the spiritual world with stories about the greatest protectors of the world, Zee TV narrated the story of Lord Vishnu’s ten incarnations through BR Chopra's Vishnu Puran. Based on an ancient collection of stories and scriptures, the show helped viewers transcend into a heavenly world and learn some interesting life lessons from Lord Vishnu aptly played by veteran actor Nitish Bharadwaj.
It also narrated various fascinating chronicles of the natkhat Krishna and depicted the mischievous side to this Makhan Chor with Paramavatar Shri Krishna. Enchanting viewers with his various and diverse facets the show also showcased the victorious tale of Krishna’s triumph over the evil Kans mama’s tyranny, while giving us a glimpse of the warrior within him.
Succeeding in first of its kind initiatives
Celebrating 25 years of India’s longest-running non-fiction franchise – Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Zee leveraged its network strength for a truly unique initiative, ‘Ek Desh Ek Raag’ which began with a 25-hour music marathon on digital with back-to-back, round-the-clock performances by popular singers across ten Zee Facebook pages that captured the vibrancy of the sur, taal and spirit of every Indian sub-culture.
The 25-year milestone culminated in a grand televised, shot-from-home fund-raising concert across 23 channels of Zee & Zee Media with performances by the most iconic faces of the show.
Establishing a first-off connect between OTT and television
In its quest to provide viewers with differentiated content amidst lockdown, Zee TV introduced four new finite shows for the first time on television after them being aired earlier on respective OTT platforms. While shows like Karle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, Baarish and Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain reassured viewers in the power of love during the most challenging times, Queen motivated its viewers by narrating a hard-hitting story of an ordinary girl who stood up to life’s curveballs to emerge as the extraordinary ‘Iron lady of Indian politics.
A unique saas-bahu relationship
Capturing the essence of the ever-evolving dynamics of the saas-bahu relationship in Indian society, Zee TV's new show Hamariwali Good News presented a heart-warming journey of the Tiwaris, who like most families, are grappling with the quest for the quintessential 'good news' of a tiny tot who'll fill up their lives with joy. Only this time around, it is the saas who rather than pressurising or berating her bahu for not being able to conceive, will go the extra mile, brush aside societal norms regarding age and the worry of ‘what will people say’ by conceiving a baby with her husband to bring the good news that they collectively await. The journey of this unique saas-bahu relationship between the daughter-in-law, Navya (Shrishti Jain) and her mother-in-law, Renuka (Juhi Parmar) and the manner in which it beautifully deepens in the face of this role reversal forms the crux of this show
A tale of defying destiny and rising above
Set against the backdrop of Jaipur, Apna Time Bhi Aayega is an inspiring narrative of Rani, (Anushka Sen and currently played by Megha Ray) the young daughter of a head staff member of an affluent family, who refuses to be tied down by her humble roots. The show depicts her journey in breaking free from the shackles of her background as she chooses to carve her own destiny and reach out for her ambitious goals. This family-drama also debunks the deep-rooted class system and questions its unwritten rulebook of aukaat (status) in our society, which almost curtails the chances of the lower strata in taking charge of their destiny and rising above their means.
An ordinary woman’s battle against evil
Set against the backdrop of Ambala, the show Brahmarakshas 2 follows the journey of an ordinary young girl, Kalindi (Nikki Sharma) whose destiny gets entwined with the most ferocious evil force that has ever awakened, the Brahmarakshas. It turns out Kalindi was born under a peculiar birth star that makes her special and as a result, the Brahmarakshas needs her in order to accomplish his mission of attaining immortality. Kalindi’s only source of strength is her love for her partner, Angad (Pearl V. Puri). As she navigates and manoeuvres her way through the world of evil and her own ordinary life, Kalindi finds herself up for a gruelling battle to protect the people she truly cares for!
Roli and Rishu’s innocent mission to bring their family back together
In December, Zee TV introduced a slice-of-life drama Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti depicting the innocent world of two young and adorable kids who team up and set off on a mission to rekindle the love between their parents, Shubhra (Neha Marda) and Kuldeep (Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi). The latter duo’s relationship has begun to go south due to personal conflicts that have paves the way to a series of arguments and fights. In the hope of bringing papa back to mamma and completing their ‘happy family’, Rishu (Pratyaksh Panwar) and Roli (Mannat Murgai) vow to be the glue that will fill the cracks that have developed between their parents.
What continued ruling hearts?
While the viewers developed a fondness for the new shows, the old ones continued to be audience favorites.
Taking a leap of faith
Having intrigued and entertained the viewers with several interesting twists and turns in Guddan (Kanika Mann) and Akshat’s (Nishant Singh Malkani) love life, Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega took a 20-year-leap that that saw the entry of television star Savi Thakur to essay the character of the new male lead – Agastya Birla. On the other hand, Kanika Mann, who flawlessly brought alive the character of Guddan onscreen, was seen playing the role of her own daughter, Choti Guddan. Showcasing the various ups and downs in the latter’s life, the show also the entry of actors like, Pratham Kunwar, Maera Mishra along with the exit of Nishant Singh Malkhani, Sehrish Ali and Shweta Mahadik.
Tujhse Hai Raabta being a favourite amongst viewers for its intriguing plot and natural performances by Kalyani (Reem Shaikh) and Malhar (Sehban Azim) took a leap, after a shocking twist where Malhar was seen pulling the trigger on Kalyani. Five years down the line, it showcased a deeply dejected Malhar demoted to a sub-inspector who was on a self-destruction spree. Just as Malhar looked like he was drifting away beyond a point of repair or return, the leap saw the return of Kalyani in an all new avatar that turned Malhar’s world upside down.
Welcoming the old Zara in Ishq Subhan Allah
Zee TV’s Ishq Subhan Allah reunited viewers with the original Zara Siddiqui essayed by television actress Eisha Singh in season one. Eisha Singh made an exciting comeback in an all new avatar of a music healer who believes in the extraordinary healing powers of music and its potential to revive even the most depressed. Questioning Kabir’s prior mindset that music is haraam as per his interpretation of religion, she returned to challenge his traditional belief system.
Reconnecting viewers with their favourite on-screen jodis
While Zee TV reconnected its audiences with the journeys of their beloved characters post lockdown, they also brought back the viewer’s favourite pairs together after much anticipation. Kundali Bhagya saw major twists and turns occurring in Karan (Dheeraj Dhoopar) and Preeta’s (Shraddha Arya) life with Mahira attempting to get hitched with Karan. However, the drama finally culminated with Karan and Preeta coming together as the audience’s favourite jodi once again.
Kumkum Bhagya too saw the return of Pragya (Sriti Jha) in Abhi’s (Shabbir Ahluwalia) house where Pragya received a bahu-like welcome at Abhi’s house.
Ending the year on a high note
With numerous shows, be it ongoing or new keeping the audience entertained all through the year, Zee TV will give its audiences the best of entertainment at one go with the biggest event of the year.
Zee Rishtey Awards 2020
Acknowledging the contributions of innumerable actors, directors, producers, creative teams, technicians who have been working relentlessly to bring you all your favourite daily primetime shows, Zee Rishtey Awards once again made it’s audience’s evening a memorable one as it drew the curtain on 2020. The special event saw popular faces of television across Zee TV’s primetime shows letting their hair down and having a gala time like never before! Showcasing some amazing performances, the actors were seen giving viewers a taste of all the festivals that they might have missed celebrating through their acts. From Sriti and Shabbir’s scintillating Diwali Dilon ki performance to romantic performances by Rajveer – Pratibha, Mugdha – Krishna and Juhi – Shakti to Ankita Lokhande’s divine act giving a special tribute to the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the Zee TV Kutumb ensured that everyone came together and enjoyed the show whole-heartedly.
Welcoming a new tomorrow in 2021!
Indian Pro Music League
Zee TV will present Indian Pro Music League (IPML), a first-of-its-kind music league which will have six teams supported by the likes of Shraddha Kapoor along with Shakti Kapoor and Siddhant Kapoor, Govinda along with wife Sunita, Rajkummar Rao, Bobby Deol, Suresh Raina and Riteish Deshmukh. These teams will be seen representing different regions of India, battling it out against each other in a musical championship. Each of these teams will have celebrated playback singers, one male and one female vocalist as their captains including the likes of Mika Singh, Sajid Khan, Shaan, Ankit Tiwari, Neha Bhasin, Akriti Kakar, Javed Ali, Shilpa Rao, Asees Kaur and Bhoomi Trivedi. Additionally, every team will also have reality stars like Hemant Brijwasi, Salman Ali, Jyotica Tangri, amongst others. To add to this pool of talent, six fresh voices from various regions of the country, one for each team, will get a chance to be a part of this league! To be hosted by two top anchors, the Indian Pro Music League will be launched in early 2021
Teri Meri Ik Jindri
Set against the backdrop of Amritsar, Teri Meri Ik Jindri is an endearing tale of two young souls, Mahi (Amandeep Sidhu) and Jogi (Adhvik Mahajan) who despite their starkly different personalities, walk together on the common path of love. While Mahi is an educated, self-driven and ambitious girl belonging to a middle-class family, Jogi is a simple, carefree and grounded boy born and brought up in a lower middle-class family. These two opposite personalities differ widely in terms of their background and outlook towards life. Yet, the only thing uniting and keeping them bound together is their immense respect and love for each other. The show will be launched in early 2021
