Telly tattle

New shows, videshi series getting a desi twist and mythologicals will provide you the much-needed entertainment on the small screen next year

Telly tattle

The small screen doled out the same old boring stuff for a major part of 2012. However, there was some saving grace in the form of Aamir Khan’s critically-acclaimed talk show Satyamev Jayate, a joint venture with Star TV, which also led to a collaboration between the private network and Doordarshan and Sur Kshetra that brought together Indo-Pak singers such as Asha Bhosle, Abida Parveen and Runa Laila on a common platform.

Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza will be the star attractions of Nach Baliye season five

But 2013 promises to provide well-rounded entertainment.

Old shows, new twist
First aired in 2005, Nach Baliye, a reality show saw TV couples fighting it out to be the best dancers. After four seasons, the fifth season returns with guest couple Sania and Shoaib Malik as the star attraction. Likewise, after the tepid response to the first two seasons of MasterChef India, the third season, which starts in February, will see chef Sanjeev Kapoor at the helm.

Vikas Khanna, Sanjiv Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor will be the judges on MasterChef India Season three

Desi tadka
Actor Anil Kapoor plays Jack Bauer, the iconic role epitomised by Keifer Sutherland, in the desi version of 24 that will be aired on Colors. Another producer has bought the rights to Heroes. Homegrown reality show concepts are also the order of the day as Zee’s India’s Best Dramebaaz, a talent show for kids, will begin its auditions soon.

Suhasi Dhami will play the new-age bahu in Housewife Hai...Sab Jaanti Haiu00a0

Divine intervention
Life OK’s Devon Ke Dev Mahadev made the gods very happy in 2012. Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary will begin shooting, in earnest, his very own version of Mahabharat for Star Plus later in the new year. Meanwhile, Ekta Kapoor is gearing up for her magnum opus tentatively titled Jodha Akbar with best of actors from the film and TV industry but that will only air on Zee in early 2014.

Same same but different
Sony explores the lives of an “ordinary couple leading an extraordinary life” in Amita Ka Amit (January 14). Zee’s tribute to homemakers — Housewife Hai…Sab Jaanti Hai — that goes on air tomorrow (December 31) could well set off a trend that looks at the saas-bahu relationship through a different prism.

Man and animal
Hosts Jiff Corwin and Austin Steven will observe wild and aquatic life in Animal Planet’s A-Z that premieres on January 7. You will get to learn everything that you ever wanted to know about animals through this series.

Discovery Channel’s new show Jungle Gold (January 7) will follow Americans George Wright and Scott Lomu, two hardworking men who risk it all in Ghana to strike it rich as part of a golden plan to recover everything they have lost in the real estate crash of 2008.

VOX POP The movers and shakers of the TV industry talk about plans ahead and new trends
Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors
Innovation in concepts will remain a key audience driver. Come 2013, Colors will air
Anil Kapoor’s 24, an international crime thriller concept that’s produced keeping domestic nuances in mind. And finally, relatable characters will continue to drive viewer loyalty for Indian television.

Sneha Rajani, Senior executive vice president and business head, SET
2013 will definitely see Sony making its fiction line-up exciting. We can’t be making what others are already doing with success. Making innovative shows especially those that are relevant for one’s own channel is important than being a me-too. Clutter-breaking content is the need of the hour and I can already see that happening.

Sakshi Tanwar, Actor
2012 saw me reaping the benefits of all the hard work I had put in, in the last 12 years. In 2013, I wish to see a more meaningful approach to content on TV. We need shows with stronger emphasis on gender equality and safety of women. I also want educative content for kids and good fiction shows.

Siddharth Kumar Tewary, Founder,Swastik Productions
I am making Mahabharat for Star Plus and Amita Ka Amit for Sony this year. Mahabharat has been four years of preparation. Amita Ka Amit is about two ordinary people having an extraordinary life. Satyamev Jayate’s success impressed me this year. It had its heart in the right place and engaged the country wonderfully.

Rajan Shahi, Director’s Kut Productions
2013 will see my three shows —Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlaata Hai, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge and Amrit Manthan — consolidated. Yeh Rishta completed 1000 episodes this year without any negative character or high voltage drama. We also plan to nurture new writers, actors and directors to make fresh interesting content.

Nikhil Sinha, Triangle Film Company
Whether it was Baba Aiso Var Dhoondho or Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, we created a new path. It’s been a rewarding year. We made Mahadev with a different narrative style and it was accepted. It changed the definition of how mythologicals are presented. Today, makers are no longer apprehensive to try out newer things. u00a0

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