Tisca Chopra anchors Prayaschit
“No matter what wrong you have done, life always gives you a second chance,” believes Tisca Chopra who is anchoring Prayaschit - Gunahon Ka Zakhm on Sony. A show based on reformed criminals, Prayaschit recreates the crime first and then brings on the culprit who has been punished, served his term and reformed. Tisca acts as the sutradhar of the show. “I have always been fascinated by human nature and this show gives an amazing insight into it. Nobody is born a criminal, it is the circumstances that compel you to commit a crime,” says Tisca, who will soon be seen in Love Breakups Zindagi in a spunky role living life on her own terms. She falls in love with a guy who is poles apart from her. Her next outing will be Khushiyan wherein she plays a typical New Yorker who realises the value of an Indian family. “This year has been good for me. Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji and 404 were appreciated by critics and audiences alike. I’m hoping that Love Breakups Zindagi and Khushiyan will also do well,” smiles the actress who rose to fame with her outing as a mother in Taare Zameen Par.
A serial on Mahatma Gandhi
A serial based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi is being made by Anchum Singh under the banner of Indian Cinephiles. Directed by Ashwini Sharma, the serial is written by Rajendra Upadhyay, recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academy and Sangeet Natak Ratna awards. He has extensively researched on the father of the nation and scripted a 300 episode series starting from Gandhiji’s childhood. Currently, only Adi Irani as Karamchand Gandhi (father), Tanima Bhattacharya as Putlibai (mother), Asima Bhatt as Rambhai (maid who took care of him as a child) have been finalised. The title song of the serial Raghupati raghav raja ram has been rendered by legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. The channel where the serial will be aired is yet to be finalised but chances are it will be on Zee.
Actors in a singing competition
Those who have been following Zee Marathi will know of a celebrity-studded Sa Re Ga Ma, which had a mix of TV and film actors showing their singing prowess. A singing competition, the show had Sumeet Raghavan emerging as the winner. The show was quite popular. Taking a cue from its success, the flagship channel Zee is all set to air Sa Re Ga Ma Pa with actors from Hindi serials participating in it. The channel, according to sources, has zeroed in on Varun Badola, Rajshri Thakur, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Vikas Bhalla, Manish Paul and funny man Kapil Sharma. Produced by Wizcraft, the show will go on air once Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs draws to an end.
Hats Off completes a decade in TV
Hats Off recently celebrated the completion of 10 years in the TV industry in a unique way. Producer J D Majethia threw a party only for his technicians on September 10, the day his production house completed a decade. Of the 7600 member crew, around 40 people have been working with him since the beginning. Majethia organised a dinner bash at a popular Chinese restaurant. Says Majethia, “I wanted to do something special for the office and technical staff who have been with me for so many years.” His resolution for the coming year is to have five shows simultaneously on air across channels. Talks are on with a leading channel for a slice-of-life family drama. Besides fiction, Hats Off will also venture into reality shows soon.
The company has also changed the logo as part of its celebrations.
Sanjay Dutt, Sachin Tendulkar in a telethon
Actor Sanjay Dutt and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar have been roped in by NDTV for a telethon as part of their ‘Support My School’ campaign. NDTV in partnership with Coca-Cola India, CAF & UN-Habitat launched the campaign on January 24 this year. The campaign aims to encourage India’s children to stay where they belong, in schools. The awareness campaign will culminate in a live 12 hour televised fundraiser (telethon) on September 18 with Sanjay Dutt and Sachin Tendulkar answering people’s queries.
The Voice on Imagine TV
Popular international TV show The Voice is being brought to Indian shores by Imagine TV, according to sources. The USP of the show is that it has the judges judging the participants solely on the merit of their voices. They are not allowed to see the artistes singing and sit with their backs to the contestants and decide whether they want to mentor them in the later rounds. The channel, sources said, is in the process of buying the rights and finalising the format. The show is slated to go on air early next year. The Voice is currently being aired on AXN and pop star Christina Aguilera is one of the judges.
Kuch Toh Log Kahenge to replace Khakhrawala
Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, a new serial on Sony, is set to replace Krishnaben Khakhrawala from October 3. The show said to be based on the popular Pakistani serial Dhoop Kinarey has Mohnish Behl in a pivotal role. A hospital drama, it has Mohnish returning to the small screen as a doctor after Sanjeevani and Dill Mill Gaye. Kritika Kamra of Kitani Mohabbat Hai fame plays an intern and Mohnish’s love interest with Rukhsar also essaying an important role. After the success of Bade Achhe Lagte Hai, which is a mature love story, the channel is hoping that Kuch Toh... with its older guy-young girl romance will emerge as a winner.
Tisca Chopra anchors Prayaschit
“No matter what wrong you have done, life always gives you a second chance,” believes Tisca Chopra who is anchoring Prayaschit - Gunahon Ka Zakhm on Sony. A show based on reformed criminals, Prayaschit recreates the crime first and then brings on the culprit who has been punished, served his term and reformed. Tisca acts as the sutradhar of the show. “I have always been fascinated by human nature and this show gives an amazing insight into it. Nobody is born a criminal, it is the circumstances that compel you to commit a crime,” says Tisca, who will soon be seen in Love Breakups Zindagi in a spunky role living life on her own terms. She falls in love with a guy who is poles apart from her. Her next outing will be Khushiyan wherein she plays a typical New Yorker who realises the value of an Indian family. “This year has been good for me. Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji and 404 were appreciated by critics and audiences alike. I’m hoping that Love Breakups Zindagi and Khushiyan will also do well,” smiles the actress who rose to fame with her outing as a mother in Taare Zameen Par.
Hats Off completes a decade in TV
Hats Off recently celebrated the completion of 10 years in the TV industry in a unique way. Producer J D Majethia threw a party only for his technicians on September 10, the day his production house completed a decade. Of the 7600 member crew, around 40 people have been working with him since the beginning. Majethia organised a dinner bash at a popular Chinese restaurant. Says Majethia, “I wanted to do something special for the office and technical staff who have been with me for so many years.” His resolution for the coming year is to have five shows simultaneously on air across channels. Talks are on with a leading channel for a slice-of-life family drama. Besides fiction, Hats Off will also venture into reality shows soon.
The company has also changed the logo as part of its celebrations.
chaya.unnikrishnan@expressindia.com