Haunted Nights on Sahara One, the show with its riveting and spine chilling tales is ready to spook its audiences with a new series. Encapsulating a journey of supernatural powers, paranormal activities and occult, the latest offering will take off with the mystical tale of a ‘Khoobsurat Daayan’.

An array of leading faces from the television industry including Parakh Madan, Prakash Ramchandani and Ramna Wadhawan will take the audience through the bewitching deep dark secrets of black magic and the land of witchcraft and deceit.

‘Khoobsurat Dayaan’ is the story of an innocent and vulnerable girl ‘Vaishali’ with a dark and ugly complexion. Expecting her life to be a bed of roses and unaware of Rathore family’s hidden and notorious intentions, Vaishali’s father gets her married to their youngest son Surya.  As the story unfolds, Vaishali discovers that the wedding was a sham and that the Rathore family were in dire need of money. Once their needs were met Vaishali gets murdered by Surya. However, the story of revenge begins after her death. With help of a Aghori baba, Vaishali returns to haunt Rathore family as a beautiful and chic Daayan.

Will Vaishali eventually take revenge on her murderous husband or succumb to the menace of evil spirits!

(Don’t miss out on this horror tale of deceit, murder and revenge Beginning May 27th at 7:30 pm only on Sahara One.)

Starting next week, Sahara One’s popular mythological daily Jai Jai Jai Bajrangbali will witness a massive change.  As the central character of Bajrangbali grows up and enters teenage after seeking complete knowledge from Sun God his antics that were being showcased until now will get more interesting and challenging.  Ardent viewers of the show will continue to enjoy watching the Hanuman saga, albeit with the introduction of a new face.

Raj Bhanushali more popularly known as the Bal Hanuman of Jai Jai Jai Bajrangbali will bid adieu to the show and taking the baton forward will be Rishabh Sharma who has also been part of various mythological shows in the recent past. With this change, the viewers will be exposed to the life saga of Bajrangbali from his teenage.

Talking about his entry in the show, the new Bal Hanuman aka Rishabh Sharma says, “I am really excited to essay the central character of Bajrangbali. I am Hanumanji’s ardent follower and knows almost all his life stories - right from his birth to the brave rescue of Sita Mata from Lanka. I look forward to work with the entire cast of the show and continue to enthrall viewers with various antics of Bajrangbali starting from his teenage. I am sure of winning love and blessings from all the fans and viewers of Jai Jai Jai Bajrangbali alike as they did for Raj.”

Prior to Jai Jai Jai Bajrangbali, Rishabh has been associated with Mrs. Tendulkar, Ramayan, Mahima Shanidev ki, Geet, Ek Chutki Aasman Ki, Sanjog Se Bani Sangini, Lakoon Mein Ek, etc. Besides television, Rishab has also played the pivotal role in Salman Khan’s movie Veer.

(Keep Watching JAI JAI JAI BAJRANGBALI on Sahara One every Monday-Friday at 8:30 PM).

Ranbir and Deepika dazzled by the Dramebaazes …

Right since the show began, the whole country has been raving about their talent. Whether it was Hirithik Roshan, David Dhawan, Preity Zinta, Ayushman Khurana, Juhi Chawla or Arjun Kapoor, the l’il actors on India’s Best Dramebaaz have left even the biggest Bollywood stars in awe of their sheer versatility and utter cuteness!

The grand finale of India’s biggest acting talent hunt show for kids will see a glorious extravaganza of acting and dance as it airs on Zee TV at 8 PM on Saturday, May 25. Adding to the excitement of the evening, young Bollywood’s glowing icons Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone graced the finale to promote their upcoming film ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. To say that they were left in wonder of these little powerhouses of talent would be an understatement.

At the finale, li’l Nihar and Gracy had Ranbir at their feet as they put on an adorable act to prove that they are miniature versions of Deepika and Ranbir themselves! Tickled pink by their cheeky l’il tributes,  Ranbir and Deepika saluted Nihar and Gracy. Ranbir and Deepika sent the crowd into a tizzy as they joined the contestants to perform to songs from their film. Badtameez Dil and Balam Pichkaari were the anthems of the evening as all of the Top 16 joined the judges and Ranbir and Deepika to shake a leg on stage!

Deepika seemed quite taken with li’l Nihar who was cutely dressed up in just a li’l towel as mini Ranbir. Nihar was over the moon with delight at all the attention and could not stop gushing about how Deepika had called him cute and pinched his cheeks! The highlight of his evening was when Ranbir and Deepika paid tribute to Hindi cinema by enacting the Raj Kapoor- Nargis classic – ‘pyaar hua ikraar hua’ under the umberella and decided to re-enact it with the mini versions of themselves – Nihar and Gracy!

At the finale, the Top 6 dramebaazes Aditya Singhal from Pune, Anjali Astha from Mohali, Chinmay Deshkar from Nagpur, Mehnaaz Mann from Mohali, Nihar Gite from Shirdi, Praneet Sharma from Jaipur put their best foot forward and wowed the audience with stellar performances! Whether it was judges Sonali Bendre, Vivek Oberoi, Anurag da or hosts Ragini Khanna and Rithvik Dhanjani, viewers will see all of them perform in one form or another – singing and dancing their hearts out with the talented brat-pack.

(Watch this razzle dazzle at the Grand Finale of India’s Best Dramebaaz on Saturday, May 25 at 8 PM only on Zee TV!)

Amritsar, May 24, 2013: SAB TV’s magical comedy Baalveer has been garnering tremendous viewership and love from viewers across HSM markets. Recently the team visited Amritsar to meet and greet with the fans.

The show has received brilliant response from its audiences and already has a huge fan following. The women are in awe of the beautiful angels and their exotic outfits, while the men are nostalgic about their childhood days of superhero fascination. But it is the kids who account for the largest fan base of the show and tend to not miss even a single episode as each episode is always filled with more action-packed enchantment. According to the views from the audiences, the show is paced perfectly and the beautiful sets, animation and costumes only add to the grandeur. It is these very kids who are responsible for getting even the adults hooked on to the show as the excitement and the fandom grows by the day.

Adding more magic to this fantasy based show; viewers will be enthralled by Deepshikha Nagpal as an evil Bavander Pari! Bavander Pari is trapped in a bottle and kept in an air-tight room in Parilok along with other evil pari’s for ages together. The twist in the plot unfolds when some of the good pari’s accidently open the door to the room; her bottle falls to the floor and breaks. The room being an air-tight one doesn’t allow her to display her evil powers as she needs air to activate it. After she manages to escape, she learns of Baalveer’s existence and his powers and decides to fight him.

Anooj Kapoor, EVP and Business Head, SAB TV said, “Baalveer has worked very well us at the 8 pm slot & successfully managed to woo audiences of all age groups. We will keep adding new elements and introduce entertaining characters in the show to further strengthen this slot.”

Ecstatic about her entry on Baalveer, Deepshika says, “I love fantasy based television shows and I’m really looking forward to begin shooting for Baalveer. Being a part of the magical Parilok is surely going to be a lot of fun. My look and attire has a lot of detailing and creativity into it. I’m really thrilled to be a part of the cast of Baalveer”

Deepshika’s entry as Bavander Pari is going to invite a lot of drama and entertainment as Baalveer’s heroism is set against Bavander Pari’s revenge on the show.

Abhay Deol floored by the sets of his new show on Zee TV

Ever since its announcement last week, Zee TV’s path-breaking new show ‘Connected Hum Tum’ has got the country buzzing about its new age concept … Six real women living their lives on national television …! Well, add to that, the fact that it has Bollywood’s “thinking” actor Abhay Deol as the host and it isn’t any wonder that everyone wants to know more about it …

Now, Zee TV brings you the first look at the uber cool sets of the show which instantly caught Abhay’s eye as he walked in! When most people think “sets of a TV show”, they imagine a typical, over-the-top, garish setup that is loud and ostentatious enough to create a “larger-than-life” feel for the show. Like a breath of fresh air, the sets of ‘Connected Hum Tum’ pack in a pleasant surprise! The show is all set to be shot against a backdrop of a tastefully done, modern home. Much like Abhay’s personality, the rooms and furniture have maintained a minimalistic look with clean lines, vibrant, young hues, elegant furnishings, new age gadgets and modern graffiti. The swish set has been designed by actor Rajat Kapoor’s wife Meenal Agarwal, an acclaimed interior decorator.

“When we visualized the sets, we wanted it to be a house that you’d imagine someone like Abhay to live in himself. The entire feel of the sets had to reflect his sensibilities, aesthetics and personality. The sets are an extension of Abhay as a host.” Said Meenal.

“When I walked onto the sets on the first day of the shoot, my first reaction was that it felt like being back at home in my living room. I think  Meenal has done a fantastic job at making the house feel warm and inviting while being modern and minimalistic – just the way I like it!” said Abhay while speaking about the sets.

(Watch the ever personable Abhay Deol as the host of Connected Hum Tum, from June 3, 2013, only on Zee TV.)

See more pictures:

http://mdhimanjourno.blogspot.in/2013/05/abhay-deol-floored-by-sets-of-h...

Zee TV announces launch of DID Super Moms

The mother of all Dance shows!

 Imtehaan aap dete the… ghabrahat usse hoti thi…

Manch par aap khade hote the… khwaab wo sajati thi…

Faisla aapko sunaaya jaata tha… Khushi se, wo jhoomti thi...

Aaj tak iss manch par aaye har dancer ke peeche thi…ek super mom!

Ab…Sabse bade imtihaan ki, usne ki hai tayyari…Iss baar, hausla badhaane ki, aapki hai baari!!!

‘Dance India Dance’, the biggest dance platform on Indian television will take viewers by storm with its brand new series. A show that will give a platform to those women who gave up their dream of becoming a dancer and settled for a career, family life & motherhood! In a country where mothers are conventionally perceived as sacrificial figures, Zee TV now gives them a second chance to them to live their passion for dance. ‘Umeed Se Saje Zindagi’ is not just a brand statement for the channel. It’s an ideology that the channel lives by through all its fiction and reality shows. With ‘DID Super Moms’ the channel aims to give ‘Umeed’ to lakhs of mothers in India who now aspire to make a name for themselves in the field of dance. Premiering on 1st June, the show will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM, only on Zee TV!

Bharat Kumar Ranga, ZEEL - Chief Content & Creative Officer, said, “Every reality show of Zee TV aims at giving an opportunity to deserving talent in India. ‘DID Super Moms’ salutes the indomitable spirit of a mother who stands by us through thick and thin. Even if five households in the country change their mindsets and allow their daughter-in-laws to pursue their dreams, we will have achieved our objective! I take this opportunity to thank all the family members of these contestants who have encouraged them to realize their dreams. Our criteria for selecting the best dancer did not change for this series just because they are mothers…our audiences can be rest assured that their dancing will be of the high standard that DID contestants are synonymous with. This show will absolutely break the myth that mothers can’t dance.”

This 15-week series will have 16 dancers and they will be divided into 4 teams. The contestants will be coached by four acclaimed DID skippers - Raghav Crockroaz Juyal, Prince Gupta, Siddhesh Pai and Jai Kumar Nair. The show will be judged by the mother of all dancers, Farah Khan, and the accomplished dancer- choreographer, Marzi Pestonji. Mithun Chakraborty will preside over as the Grand Master and the very affable, Jay Banushali, will be seen anchoring the show.

Grand Master Mithun Chakraborthysaid at the launch, “The mothers have floored, shocked, stumped and bowled me over! They exemplify grit and determination and a never give up attitude. ‘Dance India Dance’ is family to me.. I’m thankful to Zee TV for once again taking me on board to rejoice in this dance mania. The auditions have seen some very good dancers and have validated our belief that a platform was required to salute mothers who loved to dance. I am looking forward to see them shake a leg and make India proud through their dancing prowess! We are working towards making this show a rocking success this year too!”

Said Master Farah Khan, “Through ‘DID Super Moms’, Zee TV has given an amazing opportunity to all women who are passionate about dancing but put it on the backburner once they became mothers. It’s time for them to relive their long lost dream and show the world that apart from raising a family or having a flourishing career, they are also beautiful dancers! There’s so much energy and enthusiasm amongst the participants…it’s unbelievable! ”

Said Master Marzi Pestonji, “I’m happy to return as a judge on Zee TV for such a fresh and appealing concept! This is a golden opportunity for all mothers who are passionate about dance. We have got an overwhelming response from the auditions and are totally astounded by their caliber. I’m certain that even the families of these mothers will be dumbfounded once they see them perform on the DID platform…because we do not compromise on quality on this stage. The channel has conducted multi-city auditions all across the country to find some of the best dancer mummies and bring them to the fore. The show will be like a breath of fresh air for television audiences.”

For Zee, the consumer has always been at the centre of business decisions. The channel has pioneered many digital and mobile initiatives with the intention of interacting with the consumers at every touch point. Committed to presenting out of the box ideas to market its shows, this time around some innovative features have been added in the ‘DID Super Moms’ Mobile App. To amplify viewer engagement, a new feature called Tap on has been introduced. Here a user can hold the phone to capture the songs played during ‘DID Super Moms’. Every time he does that, some exclusive content that is high on engagement would unlock on his phone giving him additional interesting information about the show. This content can be an exclusive live tutorial, images or some trivia from the show. Another feature is a chat room called Check In where everybody watching the show can check in and share their viewpoints with each other. With the pattern of content consumption becoming more dynamic, the features introduced in the mobile app will keep the viewer engaged throughout the show via his/her mobile phone. This is a more personal way of interaction, engagement and entertainment.

Over the years, ‘Dance India Dance’ has not only become a household name but has also become a religion amongst legions of dance enthusiasts across the country. ‘DID Super Moms’ will be an entertainment package replete with competition, struggle, humor, drama, emotion and not to mention extraordinary dancing! The auditions conducted in Mumbai, Delhi, Raipur, Kolkata, Indore, Patna, Lucknow, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Guwahati, Jammu, Ranchi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore have unearthed all kinds of mummies who are expert in a variety of dance forms like hip hop, salsa, classical dancer, belly dancing, tango, zumba, cha cha cha, etc…These are women whose kids and families have supported their dreams.

(So don’t forget to tune into Zee TV on 1^st June, 9 PM to watch the mother of all dance reality shows, ‘DID Super Moms..…Kyunki Ab Hai DID par Moms Ki Baari!’)

VIEW more pictures on:

http://mdhimanjourno.blogspot.in/2013/05/zee-tv-announces-launch-of-did-super.html

Bharat Kumar Ranga, Chief Content & Creative Officer, ZEEL.

The actress rejoins Pavitra Rishta after a break of three months!

While, for weeks, there has been speculation about Ekta Kapoor wanting to bring in her replacement, actress Ankita Lokhande remains one happy lady! The actress played the role of Archana in Zee TV’s Pavitra Rishta until a few months ago when she declared that she needed a break from television. Since then, the rumour mills have been working overnight with talks of her being replaced by other actresses like Shilpa Sakhlani and Gautami Kapoor. But now all the idle gossip can be laid to rest as both the channel and Balaji confirm that Ankita Lokhande is indeed returning to reclaim her role on the show!

 “Yes, I had indeed taken a break as I wanted to spend some quality time with Sushant and my family. These three months have been a refreshing change of pace. What many people don’t realize is that when you are a part of a daily soap for as long as I have been associated with Pavitra Rishta, you don’t really find time for anything else besides shooting. Now that the show has completed 1000 episodes, and my request for a much deserved break has been suitably accommodated, I’m back for a second innings on the show. I look forward to an equally enthusiastic response from my fans” Says Ankita about her return. “Ekta ma’am has been very kind to allow me to take the break I asked for and I am really grateful to her and the team for that.”

For the last few months, Ankita’s character, Archana was shown to be in a coma and doctors are trying their best to bring her out of it. Ankita has started shooting for the show from the weekend, so all Ankita fans can rejoice now!

(Watch Ankita Lokhande as Archana in Pavitra Rishta, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM only on Zee TV.)

Chandigarh, May 29, 2013: Madan Mohan Mittal, Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab here today stated that Punjab Government has, while taking up the matter regarding the reimbursement of medical bills of Punjab Government employees/Pensioners and their dependents who have subscribed to medical insurance policies on their own; and thus are eligible for reimbursement by the Insurance Companies, has decided that the reimbursement of medical expenditure from both the sources, namely insurance agencies and Government, may be claimed.

However such reimbursements shall be subject to the condition that the concerned employee/pensioner/dependent will first claim insurance from the insurance company and thereafter submit the medical bills to the Government, which may reimburse only the differential amount between the total amount of the bills and the payment made by the insurance company, with the condition that the payment allowed by the Government may not exceed the admissible amount as per Government reimbursement rates.

The Minister further said that this revised policy has been framed, keeping in mind the interest of lakhs of employees, who have in addition, subscribed to Medical Insurance Policies at their level on their own expenditure.

Who’re All Set To Share Their Lives on National Television
Ever since actor Abhay Deol announced his television debut as the host of Zee TV’s ‘Connected Hum Tum’, the unique concept of the show has created  quite a stir in the country! After all, it is for the very first time that Indian viewers will see six real women sharing their lives and baring their soul on national television! The six participants have agreed to take hand-held HD cameras and record themselves in their own houses, capturing all that they say and do in their most personal space. They will shoot themselves as they go to work, step out to shop or attend a class … These six courageous women of different ages and on the brink of exciting crossroads in their lives, will  put their innermost hopes, fears, insecurities, mistakes, triumphs, joys and sorrow out there for the world to see!
Naturally, there has been much speculation as to who these women are … While some predicted these women to be socialites or celebrities, others guessed that they might be some kind of achievers. Everyone has been curious to find out who they are – what is it that has inspired each of them to live their life in public glare? And why has the channel chosen them specifically amongst millions of other women? The cat is finally out of the bag as Zee TV today unveils the six courageous women of ‘Connected Hum Tum’.
Preeti Kochar, 33, dentist, belly-dance instructor, often written about as “the dancing dentist”. She is the mother of a two year old, has a husband she loves and a mother she wishes hadn’t neglected her in her childhood. A multi-tasking superwoman, she juggles her responsibilities at home with her clinic as well as her passion for dance! Preeti wants to tick all the boxes – the conventional ones of ‘wife’, ‘mom’, 'dentist' and ‘daughter-in-law’ as well as the unconventional ones of ‘independent’, ‘bold’ and 'dancer'. As a result, Preeti is not able to leave one profession for another.  She craves the love she was denied in childhood, so she fears rocking her marriage too much. Yet her marriage prevents her from being as free as she’d like to be! She asks herself – “Women marry for love and care – do I really get that in my marriage?”
Mahima Chaudhary, 25, struggling actress. The starry-eyed small-town girl hails from a large jat joint family in Meerut. Having lived forever in the shadows of her super-achieving sister, Mahima wants to make a mark of her own. She has been living in Mumbai for the past year, trying to make a career in the glitzy world of films with no support from her typical, traditional family. Adding to the woes of her family, she has a boyfriend in Delhi who does not belong to their caste. Since things aren’t quite working out for her in Mumbai, her boyfriend, just like her family, has been coaxing her to return and get married. Yet she resists, as she must continue to strive for her dream … and perhaps something else. Will Mahima’s family accept her dream of becoming an actress? Will she be able to overcome the chasm between her family, her boyfriend and herself and redefine her future?
Pallavi Burman, 30, fashionable shopaholic, brand manager. She’s done all the right things. She studied hard, got a career in place and married a boy her parents chose. She barely knew him and things did not work out. So, though her family could imagine no worse fate, she sought a divorce. Her parents were deeply embarrassed and she ended up blaming herself for ‘not trying hard enough.’ Settled well professionally, she’s getting married again to a guy she met at a friend’s party. And this time around, she’s determined to do everything even “righter”! But she asks - why should it only be upon a woman to make a marriage work?
Madhavi Mauskar, 53, foreign languages expert, corporate trainer. She's lived a life of unconventional choices. With two divorces under her belt, she's hit rock bottom and bounced back! Her daughter is pregnant and Madhavi is about to be a grandmother for the second time. And like a bolt out of the blue, her first ex-husband wants to get back with her … Does he really want a life with her? Or does he just want some closure?  We watch as she tries to figure out the resolution of this long and complicated relationship – and makes a choice she will be happy with.
Sonal Giani, 26, an activist, theatre producer. She grew up in Goa, the daughter of an army officer. She lives with her twin sister and the two of them are very close. Sonal is a producer-in-charge at a theatre production and is even about to act in a small movie for the first time. Sonal is in a serious relationship and wondering if the parents of her lover will accept their unusual, unconventional bond and give their love story a happy ending!
Malishka Mendonca, 34, Mumbai’s No. 1 radio jockey. Successful, self made woman, who's looked after her family right from a young age after her father passed away. Yes! She's made it big today but the question for Malishka is – what next? Can she dare to risk a change in her career? Will she find a suitable man to settle down with? It's not easy ... as the man must combine stability  with sizzle, practicality with romance ...  a guy who is both "cool and with it" while being grounded and down to earth. Guys like that are in short supply, especially for strong, successful women. What will Malishka choose? The romantic path or the pragmatic one? Will she find a man who fits the bill or will she reassess her bill instead?

Each one of us has a Preeti, a Madhvi, a Pallavi, a Sonal, a Mahima or a Malishka in our lives. We encounter them at home, at work, at various points of time as we go through life. Whose story will you connect most with? Will the trials and tribulations of a struggling actress move you? Or will you identify better with a woman wanting to make her second marriage work at all costs? Will you relate to the challenge of finding a suitable match for a strong, successful woman or will the dilemma of ‘conventional versus unconventional’ faced by a doctor who’s also a belly dance instructor remind you of your own predicaments? Tune into ‘Connected Hum Tum’ to find out!    
At the unveiling of the six participants, Bharat Kumar Ranga, Chief Creative & Content Officer, ZEEL said, “In showcasing the mindspace of six women at different crossroads in life, Zee TV gives the audiences a chance to understand the psyche of today’s Indian woman, thereby understanding the women in their own lives better. This show will get people talking, discussing their own unique perspective on each of these women’s lives. The core idea is to get families to communicate more and understand relationships better.” He added, “To say that we’re excited about this project would be an understatement. As a format of entertainment, the show is something India has not experienced yet. We laud the courage of these six bold women who have agreed to put their minds, soul and space out for everyone to see. Through the cameras, six parallel stories unfold and six lives gradually become connected as each woman experiences transformative life changes. Each of these women embarks on a journey of self-discovery and what the viewers get is a compelling, if not addictive reality viewing experience on television.”   
On her first directorial veture on television, Paromita Vohra, Director, ‘Connected Hum Tum’ said, "Each one of us goes through life in search of some meaning. We all want to believe we're here with a purpose, that our life matters - we make a difference! We wish to be heard when we speak, acknowledged by all in our lives. It is through this that we derive a sense of self-worth. This thirst for self-expression is particularly strong in women with a lot of personality and spunk. Connected Hum Tum presents its six participants with an outlet to express, be heard, be seen and be acknowledged. And that is what attracted them to take on the show!" She adds, "These women were chosen because they are intelligent, honest, spirited, have a story to tell and above all, they had the courage to tell it candidly!"
Zee TV is all set to deploy its marketing artillery to promote this big-ticket launch with a never-before-seen format. Forging yet another first in the Hindi GEC space, the channel will soon create a Youtube gadget which will serve as the primary point of engagement for the viewers. The gadget will have video profiles of the 6 participants, uncut videos, unseen footages, episodes, social media feeds, etc. It will also have polls and discussions on the theme of every episode.  The title song of the show, being a fresh, catchy video shot with host Abhay Deol, Zee TV plans to promote it aggressively on radio, other audio visual mediums, at all theatrical screenings of the upcoming youth-centric film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, across social media platforms and on Youtube.  To spark off discussions about the format of the show amongst the discerning online audiences, Zee TV will soon conduct a Google Hangout and organize a bloggers meet with the six participants of Connected Hum Tum in Mumbai. The channel is also creating parallel content to promote the show such as interesting short videos on the concept of why it is so difficult for men to understand women and the same will be promoted on Youtube. Once the show is on air, there will be live engagement with the audiences during the telecast of an episode.
Developed originally in Israel, ‘Connected’ as a format has emerged to be a phenomenon on television across countries like Denmark, Holland, France and USA. This international format is brought to India by Disney UTV. ‘Connected Hum Tum’ premieres on Monday, 3rd June at 10 PM and will air every Monday- Friday on Zee TV.

Chandigarh, May 31, 2013: Sony Entertainment Television offers endowed youngsters the biggest platform to exhibit their talent and is all set to redefine your weekends by adding melody to it with the most dynamic singing reality show Indian Idol Junior, for the first time ever starting June 1.

This season will feature participants between the ages of 5 – 15 who are going to mesmerise the nation by lending their voice to just not one but, many tunes.

Bringing alive its theme ‘Gaano Ka Wahi Jaadu, Ab Bachon Ki Aawaaz Mein, the Junior Idols will recreate the aura of music in their own distinct style, vying for the title of the first ever ‘Indian Idol Junior’.  All set to create ripples in the music world; these young stalwarts will be taking singing to an all new dimension. Indian Idol Junior will not only chronicle the fascinating journey of a child to become the nation’s first ever Indian Idol Junior, but also capture their heart-warming, innocent, entertaining and honest stories.

Amidst great pomp and fanfare at the launch, hosts of the show the charming Karan Wahi and the effervescent and elegant Mandira Bedi presented the vivacious talent powerhouse Shreya Ghoshal along with ace music director duo Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani who enthralled the audience with their power packed performances.

N. P. Singh COO Multi Screen Media said, “At Sony, we are constantly working towards creating new content to engage with our audiences. With Indian Idol Junior, we intend to bring the entire family together to create a wholesome viewing experience. It is a celebration of young singing talent across the country and is bound to increase the entertainment quotient of this season substantially. It gives me immense pleasure to announce the launch of the first Indian Idol Junior and I can very proudly say that this season will create a new benchmark in singing reality shows and gift the music industry with some really outstanding talent”.

Sneha Rajani, Senior EVP and Business Head Sony Entertainment Television said,“Indian Idol Junior is the search to give India its first Junior singing star. To achieve this ambition we have gone far and wide across the country in our search for talent. The very first episode will take viewers on a musical journey with thousands of kids who will blow you away with their outstanding talent. "

N. P. Singh (COO, MSM India), Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Goshal, Shekhar Ravjiani, Anupama Mandloi, Gaurav Seth, (Senior VP and Marketing Head.

 “I love playing women who have innate strength!” – Ashwini Kalsekar

Ashwini Kalsekar, who we all remember for her formidable screen presence, has a penchant for playing roles of strong women all through her career! Especially remembered as the scheming aunt Jigyasa in Zee TV’s ‘Kasamh Se’ and the resilent Hirabai in Zee TV’s ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’, Ashwini is all set to step into the shoes of yet another strong woman in Indian history – Mahamanga in ‘Jodha Akbar’!

Producer Ekta Kapoor who is known for handpicking actors to play characters in her shows, has chosen Ashwini to play the role of Mahamanga – the woman who was second only to Akbar’s mother! History says that Mahamanga was a pivotal figure in emperor Akbar’s life. She is famed to have saved Akbar from the jaws of death in several battles and Akbar was forever indebted to her for his life. A very sharp, astute, selfish and ambitious woman, Mahamanga was an ace politician and the de facto ruler of the kingdom during emperor Akbar’s absences! 

Ashwini looks forward to playing this key role and says “Broadly speaking, Mahamanga is as conniving as Jigyasa was! However, Mahamanga has a justification to everything she does. I am still reading up on her but she was the one who guided Akbar. It was almost like she was his mother, counsellor and minister all rolled into one. She, of course, had her own vested interests and wanted to see her son Adham Khan amongst the top echelons of the empire and she planned and plotted in that direction.”

Ask her how difficult it has been to get into the character of a powerful woman in the Mughal era and she says, “One needs to be extremely meticulous in one’s research while essaying a historical role as the aspect of authenticity should never be compromised. Urdu is a difficult but sweet language and if it isn't pronounced right, it will sound harsh, so I am honing my command over Urdu so that I get my diction absolutely right!"

When talking about what appealed to her about the character, Ashwini says, “The fact that Mahamanga once slapped her own son Adham Khan when he said something against Akbar, really shook me. It showed how much she loved Akbar, whom she had raised like her own son. That one moment moved me.  Also, Mahamanga is a strong woman and I love playing women who have innate strength,” she smiles.

(Watch Ashwini as Mahamanga in ‘Jodha Akbar’, coming soon only on Zee TV.)

Renowned film, Television and theatre actor Smita Jaykar needs no introduction today.  The actor who won many hearts after her spirited performances in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and serial ‘Ghutan Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli’, Raahat plays mainstream character in Gajendra, Singh’s first fiction show ‘Ghar Aaja Pardesi’.  She once again teams up with Vikram Gokhale and doing her best in this show.  With such a novel concept and a strong line up of seasoned star cast Smita Jaykar aims to touch newer heights with her role.  She talks about this widely appreciated show.

Being a known actor how do you manage between career and home?

I live in a joint family.  My family is very supportive and encouraging.  My sons are grown up now so I work hard on the sets do justice with work and family.

How did this show happened?

Gajendra Singh was trying to cast me and Vikram Gokhale.  The subject was groomed around culture capital Banaras.  I liked the concept and signed ‘Ghar Aaja Pardesi’ immediately.

Tell us about this fiction show?

It is a beautiful story of an Indian family from Banaras.  It showcases the diversified cultures and traditions of our country.  It is about a girl from London adopts to the new cultures and lifestyle offered to her in India.

What is the USP of this show?

Shot mostly in Banaras, it stars seasoned actors like Mahesh Thakur, Anita Kulkarni, Ruchi Savaran and Pooja Banerjee.  The scale of the show is big.  The team is good and its making is totally different from other shows.

Tell us something what you think about the TV industry?

I never wanted to become an actor.  I wanted to see myself a lawyer.  But after doing some ‘good serials…. I think TV industry is lovely.  Once you are into it you can never leave it.

How do you unwind?

I love painting and singing.  I paint whenever I get time.  I enjoy singing daily.  Thas is how I unwind.

Any message for your fans?

Please keep watching my show.  Never stop to shower me with good wishes.  I am no one without my fans.

See more pics on:

http://mdhimanjourno.blogspot.in/2013/06/i-never-wanted-to-become-actor-...

Ludhiana, June 4, 2013: Auditions are under-way for SPARK PUNJABI’s talent hunt for the upcoming star, BIG Fame Star.

Contestants from Ludhiana are all set to fight it out and showcase their best at the city’s Auditions.

Sunita Dhir from the city is supporting the platform that will enable auditioning contestants to realise their dreams of superstardom.

Contestants who progress to the Mega Auditions will have the unique opportunity to interact with BIG Fame Star’s mentors – television actor Gavie Chahal and veteran Punjabi film actress Sunita Dhir alongwith host popular actor Vishal Karwal.

The first-round of auditions will be held at Ludhiana’s City Mahal Hotel & Resorts, Near Palm City, Chandigarh Road starting 10 am on June 5 in an attempt to zero-in on the most talented contestants in the region.

With television actor Anup Soni and actress Tisca Chopra as judges, actors Gavie Chahal and Sunita Dhir as mentors, and actor Vishal Karwal as host, SPARK PUNJABI’s BIG Fame Star already has the makings of a blockbuster. With the first phase of auditions kicking off in Ludhiana, contestants will come together to showcase their acting skills. Two more phases of auditions will follow wherein more contestants will be selected from 5 additional markets across Punjab. By the time the three phases of auditions draw to a close, the mentors will have shortlisted the top 16 contestants who will be able to take their dreams of superstardom to another level through weekly challenges and rounds that will be featured on BIG Fame Star on SPARK PUNJABI.

At a press conference hhere on Tuesday, speaking about his role as mentor, Sunita Dhir said, “A major part of today’s youth harbours dreams of stardom. However, not all get the platform to showcase their hidden talents. SPARK PUNJABI and BIG Fame Star is giving the youth of Punjab this unique opportunity and I am delighted to be associated with this.”

Misha Bajwa Chaudhary, Cluster Programming Head, Reliance Broadcast Network Limited was also present at the press conference. She said Punjab has a lot of talent but people do not find how to locate a suitable platform for showcasing their talent. She said now there is a time for such talented people. She said the title winners will be given chance to work in movies  and other television shows. She revealed that the selected artists will be fully groomed in the workshops as they will be trained in all types of acting including comedy. The age for the participation in the contest is between 16 years and 25 years, she said. She said Punjab has a connection with Bollywood as it has given many Bollywood actors in the past.

What would Bollywood be without it’s “Munni”, “Sheila” or “Anarkali”?? Ask any Bollywood fan, and the response would be – “unimaginable!” That is exactly what Indian films would have been like if ace director and choreographer Farah Khan hadn’t made her mark on the industry. Crediting her parents for pursuing her dreams or else this multi-talented choreographer would have probably been married with kids by 21 years of age.

On seeing numerous young mothers who were married off at the age of 16 and above at the auditions of DID Super Moms, Farah was taken back to her younger days. She spoke at length about how her parents were instrumental in her pursuing a career in Bollywood.

“Had it not been for my parents, I would have definitely gotten married at the age of 21. At that time, most of my friends were getting married once we were barely out of college. I too, had planned on getting married after turning 21, but it was my parents who asked me to concentrate on building a career as well. They went on to stress the importance of a woman having a life of her own besides her family. Seeing these young mothers makes me think that had I not gotten into Bollywood, I too would have been happily married and had kids by the time I was in my twenties,” said Farah.

Well Farah, we are sure that millions of dancers and Bollywood fans across the country are thankful to your parents for their support and encouragement. Otherwise, Bollywood without you would have been a completely different place altogether!

Watch Farah Khan as she judges DID Super Moms along with Marzi Pestonji every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM, only on Zee TV!

Lapataganj, SAB TV’s most popular show, traced the journey of common man who struggles for basic amenities yet lives a fulfilled life. The show, based against the backdrop of rural India, which etched fond memories in the hearts of the viewers, is back on public demand! Having always endeavoured to provide refreshing and engaging content to its viewers, SAB TV announces ‘Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir’!  Directed by Ashwini Dhir and Produced by Garima Productions, the show will go on air on June 10th 2013, 10.00pm only on SAB TV.
Continuing with the premise of ‘Aam Insaano Ki Zindagi Se Judi Khass Samasyaaen’, Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir brings back the everyday struggles of the common man. As the storyline progresses, the residents of Lapataganj find respite to their struggles, albeit partially. So they now have access to water and electricity, but that’s just for a few hours yet people continue to live a contented life.
Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir will bring to its viewers the best of family entertainment by capturing the essence of rural India through the. The beloved couple Indumati (Sucheta Khanna) and Mukundi (Rohitashv Gaur) will continue to play protagonists alongside popular characters such as Kachua Chacha (Vineet Kumar), Chukundi (Sanjay Chaudhury), Eiji & Biji Pandey (Abbas Khan), Surili (Aditi Telang), Mishri Mausi (Shubhangi Gokhale), Chotu Mama (Anoop Upadhyay), Elizabeth Yadav (Krishna Bhatt) and Lallanji (Rakesh Srivastav)!
Speaking about Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir, Anooj Kapoor, EVP and Business Head, SAB TV, “Lapataganj received exceptional response from the viewers and has etched fond memories in the hearts of our viewers. We received numerous requests from our viewers to bring back the show and the characters that had won them over with their performances. On public demand, we are bringing back the show and I am confident that the new season will surpass our expectations and entertain audiences once again.”
Rohitashv Gaur who plays Mukundi shares more about the show, “Lapataganj EK Baar Phir is a show which is known for the unique and realistic content it offers. I always knew this show would be back on SAB TV as it’s very popular and relates to every household in some way”
Sucheta Khanna who plays Indumati states, “I’m very happy about SAB TV’s decision to bring back the show and am equally excited to play Indumati once again for my fans. This role has been the most successful role of my career and this time I want to go one step ahead with this character. I am delighted to be a part of the Lapataganj team Ek Baar Phir”
Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir boasts of relatable characters, newer elements and an extremely engaging storyline that is sure to revive memories from the previous season. This well received and much appreciated show caters to viewers across all age groups, reflecting SAB TV’s brand promise ‘Asli Mazaa SAB Ke Saath Aata Hai’.
(To watch compelling tales of the common man, tune in to Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir, every Monday - Friday at 10pm only on SAB TV.)

First Hindi GEC to create parallel original online content to promote its latest launch

Following the success of the mobile app for its non-fiction properties which crossed a milestone of 1 million downloads recently and a slew of digital innovations for all its major launches over the last 2 years, Zee TV goes ‘digital first’ yet again for its latest primetime launch ‘Connected Hum Tum’. Forging yet another first in the Hindi GEC space, Zee TV has created original parallel online content to promote the show even before it premiered on television. Given that the show raises the question - “Auraton Ko Samajhna Itna Difficult Kyun Hai?”, Zee TV has created comic short videos with a central theme of ‘Men Who Understand Women’ Society – a crew that turns up during scenarios where a man is clueless about what has upset his woman and provides remedial measures to the suffering man. The videos are parodies of real life situations and will leave the audience in splits.  These videos can be accessed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwKD98ZnIwk .
A month prior to its launch, the channel created a wave of curiosity around the show in the social media through daily teaser posts on Facebook and Twitter that built intrigue  around the novel concept of the show and the identity of its celebrity host. Once actor Abhay Deol was revealed as the host, the social media space was buzzing with pictorial posts of the actor with his tongue-in-cheek commentary about women and how he just cannot understand them! The title song of the show - a fresh, catchy video featuring Abhay Deol, was launched simultaneously on YouTube and all other video platforms alongside its on-air launch. Live chats with Abhay on Twitter, Google hangouts with the participants, LIVE tweeting during the telecast of an episode with an on-air twitter feed are amongst the other initiatives Zee TV has coming up to drive increased viewer interactivity and participation.  Tapping the ever-expanding universe of bloggers, Zee TV organized an exclusive preview of the show for the blogging community followed by an interaction with the six women participants of the show, creating a significant imprint of the show in the blogging space.    
Zee TV is also creating a YouTube gadget which will serve as the primary engagement platform for audiences to consume ‘Connected Hum Tum’ online. It will have episodes, uncut videos, a discussion forum on the themes of daily episodes and video biographies of the six protagonists.
Akash Chawla, Head – Marketing, National Channels, ZEEL

said, “With ‘Connected Hum Tum’, there was a need to firmly establish a format of entertainment Indian television audiences had never been exposed to. The digital space, being a two-way communication street, lends itself well to driving conversations that are essential to ensure that the unique concept of the show gets registered and is clearly understood by the audience. Through initiatives such as parallel original online content specially developed for the show, a YouTube gadget exclusively created for the show, reaching out to the blogging community, extensive engagement of viewers in the social media,  we leveraged the digital media well to create the right kind of buzz around ‘Connected Hum Tum”.   
 
Sandeep Menon, Head of Marketing for Google India, said, “We have had a long term relationship with Zee for YouTube and it is heartening to see them taking the lead in adopting the digital platform and working with Viral Fever, who have created brand and audience for themselves on YouTube with their made-for-web content. This is a great way to build and engage a community of viewers online and we are happy to see Zee taking the lead on this.”
Ever since actor Abhay Deol announced his television debut as the host of Zee TV’s ‘Connected Hum Tum’, the unique concept of the show has created  quite a stir in the country! After all, it is for the very first time that Indian viewers will see six real women sharing their lives and baring their soul on national television! The six participants have agreed to take hand-held HD cameras and record themselves in their own houses, capturing all that they say and do in their most personal space. They will shoot themselves as they go to work, step out to shop or attend a class … These six courageous women of different ages and on the brink of exciting crossroads in their lives, will  put their innermost hopes, fears, insecurities, mistakes, triumphs, joys and sorrow out there for the world to see! Zee TV gives the audiences a chance to understand the psyche of today’s Indian woman, thereby understanding the women in their own lives better. This show will get people talking, discussing their own unique perspective on each of these women’s lives. The core idea is to get families to communicate more and understand relationships better. Stay tuned to ‘Connected Hum Tum’ as it airs at 10 PM every Monday-Friday on Zee TV.

See more pictures on:

http://mdhimanjourno.blogspot.in/2013/06/zee-tv-goes-digital-first-for-c...

Chandigarh, June 6, 2013: Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Punjab today emphasised on the need of generating more awareness amongst the masses about the increasing crime in the society and inculcating a true spirit of Nationalism in them so that a healthy, friendly and crime free society could be evolved.

Addressing a gathering at the launch of a new Punjabi TV serial Vardaat , produced by Rajpoot Film Productions for Jhanjar TV Channel in Canada and India, at Chandigarh Press Club, the Minister said that Crime serials must be produced with the motive of not only generating awareness but should be educative. He said that Punjab, a land of saints and seers, is the most peaceful state in India but still such shows would strengthen the deteriorating human values. He has also called upon the youth of Punjab to stay away from drugs and other social aberrations and involve them in maintaining the glory and ethos of this rich state. Expressing concern over the failing human values in society, Phillaur said that the existing education system needs a radical change by introducing moral education right from the beginning aiming at shaping the tender minds of youth towards the betterment of the country.      Appreciating the role of both electronic and print media in exposing the crime and punishing the criminals, Mr. Phillaur said that media should play a positive role in reducing the degree of crime. He also said that with the active involvement of the media, crime has been exposed and necessary actions have been taken against the criminals creating a fear in their minds.

Speaking on the occasion, Gurbax Singh Malhi, Former Member Parliament from Canada said that crime was a cause of concern world over and needs to be immediately controlled in the larger public interest. He suggested that international websites on curbing the crime should be accessed by the governments so that the same procedure could be adopted in punishing the culprits setting an example for others. He urged the people to extend full cooperation in registering or reporting the criminal activities so that adequate and prompt action could be taken by the authorities.

Prominent amongst others who were present included Gurpreet Sekhon, Editor G.Asia, Shakti Rajpoot, Director Vardaat and William Rajpoot Editor Vardaat.

It’s been almost a month that actor Vikrant Massey has joined the cast of Qubool Hai as Ayaan. Though the actor has found his grip on the character of Ayaan, one hears he is still grappling with a suitable hairstyle to go with the character. Vikrant has tried many looks but apparently none of them have been stylish enough for him. Says a source from the sets, “Vikrant is a guy who has an eye for detail and would do everything it takes to look more appealing onscreen. The actor has tried the gelled look, the spiked look, the matt side part, the fringe fop, the square blow back but no hairstyle seems to hold his fancy for long.”

Says Vikrant, “I love experimenting with my hair. And especially with a character like Ayaan fortunately I can afford to do that. My hairdresser loves me because he gets the liberty to get creative with my hair. However, it is extremely important that you have a decent idea of what you really want rather than regretting later. It’s so cool to be trendy and be flooded with compliments.”

 So all you young men, for all the latest cuts and trends keep watching Qubool Hai and following Vikrant. Meanwhile in the show, the viewers will see Vikrant in this intense angry young man mode in the upcoming episodes. In a fit of rage he will set ablaze the car gifted by the family. But will he finally get hitched with Humeira?? To kill your curiosity stay tuned to Qubool Hai, every Monday to Friday at 9 30 PM, only on Zee TV!

Have you ever heard about piano stairs? If not yet, then you may watch it on a video clip with this story. This video clip is available on www.youtube.com

As per the available information, this video clip was uploaded in October, 2009. A total 19,223,013 people have watched this video clip so far. This video clip is amongst 50 most viewed video clips on www.youtube.com

Text Compiled By: CITY AIR NEWS

Starts June 18, Monday to Friday, 8 PM

India’s leading Hindi GEC, Zee TV, has joined hands with Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms to bring alive the epic romance of ‘Jodha Akbar’. The magnum opus historical will capture the royal couple’s journey of love that, in fact, began with intense hatred. What started as a marriage based on political power-play evolved into something more meaningful as they went along. How Jodha’s love softened the hard edges of his fierce personality and made him a kinder, more compassionate soul forms the crux of Zee TV’s ‘Jodha Akbar’. The show premieres on June 18 and will air on Zee TV every Monday to Friday at 8 PM.

Head, Content, Hindi GECs, ZEEL Ajay Bhalwankar said, “Our experience with ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ gives us the conviction that viewers in India are curious to know more about prominent historical figures. It was a story that was received extremely well because it was told interestingly. ‘Jodha Akbar’ promises to present audiences with Akbar’s journey from being ‘Akbar the Warrior’ to ‘Akbar the Great’. The show will highlight how it was Jodha’s love that had a calming influence on him, transforming him from a brave warrior to a benevolent king and a better ruler with great appreciation for art, culture and love for his people. The key objective is to highlight to our audiences the power of love and its significant role in making someone a better human being.”

To ensure authenticity in the presentation of India’s history, Balaji Telefilms has conducted an in-depth research to verify all facts and figures, the chronology of events and the depiction of all its characters. Minute attention to detail on aspects such as the set, costumes, jewellery, dialects and diction, traditions and rituals has resulted in an extremely authentic re-creation of the royal lifestyles of Mughals & the Rajputs. The grand scale and canvas of the show can be experienced in its magnificent set. Located in the outskirts of Mumbai, ‘Jodha Akbar’s set transports you to an era bygone as it bears a close resemblance to Akbar’s grand Diwaan-e-khaas, Diwaan-e-aam palaces and Jodha’s Mahal. 

About her latest show on the channel, Ekta says, “The story of Jodha and Akbar is an intriguing chapter from India’s history. It speaks of love in the time of hate. It is relevant and relatable to present times as well. In India, historicals are more incident-based. But we are looking at the human stories, characterizations that focus on inter-personal relationships, the politics, how they think and communicate!”

Ekta traveled across the country and attended every audition personally to hand-pick the right actors for the roles of Jodha and Akbar. She even announced her quest for the perfect faces on social media. In the young and handsome Rajat Tokas, Ekta has found the ideal blend of boyish innocence and rugged manliness required of Akbar. Ekta tells us, “For Akbar, I wanted an actor who is a boy-man. Although Rajat has the innocence of a 19-year-old, he is mature as an actor. Akbar was someone who became a soldier and a king at the age of 14 and by 17, he had already won a battle on his own. Rajat is an expert in martial arts and horse riding. So, he was perfect for me.” Ekta went through as many as 7000 audition entries in the course of a nationwide hunt before she gave her final nod of approval to the beautiful Paridhi Sharma to play Jodha. For Jodha, Ekta reveals, “I wanted someone who possesses the radiance and dignity of the loveliest Rajput princess Indian history’s seen. I’m told Jodha was someone whose eyes conveyed humility, simplicity, courage and conviction. Paridhi embodies everything I had in mind for Jodha!” The ensemble cast of the show includes prominent actors such as Ashwini Kalsekar playing Mahamanga, a pivotal mother figure in Akbar’s life who saved him from the clutches of death across many a battle. Chetan Hansraj will play the role of Adham Khan, the mighty son of Mahamanga who has an eye on the Mughal throne.  

Zee TV is all set to roll out its marketing campaign for ‘Jodha Akbar’.  In the digital space, Zee TV plans to create a virtual historical monument on Facebook giving online users a chance to immortalize their love by inscribing their and their lovers’ names on the monument. The idea is to support the preservation of our monuments by encouraging lovers to write their names on virtual monuments rather than real ones. The channel will create boards on Pinterest familiarizing viewers with the architecture, monuments, artefacts, clothes and jewellery from the Mughal era. Zee TV will organize edutainment excursions for school children where they will watch the shoot of the show and be taken on a guided tour of the ‘Jodha Akbar’ sets that resemble Jodha and Akbar’s palaces, showcasing replicas of the costumes, jewellery, weapons used in the Mughal era that are currently being used in the show.   In Delhi, the channel will make the toll booth on the DND flyover toll-free on the day of the launch in remembrance of the fact that emperor Akbar had waived off a pilgrimage tax for all countrymen in his time. The channel will also have stalls serving sherbet outside prominent dargahs in Uttar Pradesh as a goodwill gesture on the launch day.

‘Jodha Akbar’ is, doubtlessly, an epic drama you cannot afford to miss! Stay tuned to the show on Zee TV every Monday to Friday at 8 PM, starting June 18.

Paridhi Sharma as Jodha in Zee TV's Jodha Akbar.

Akbar and his Jodha - Actors Rajat Tokas and Paridhi Sharma at the press launch of Zee TV's Jodha Akbar.

Chetan Hansraj as Adham Khan, Ashwini Kalsekar as Mahamanga, Rajat Tokas as Akbar and Paridhi Sharma as Jodha in Zee TV's Jodha Akbar.

Pretty as a picture - Paridhi Sharma as Jodha in Zee TV's Jodha Akbar.

Producer Ekta Kapoor adresses the media at the press launch of Zee TV's Jodha Akbar.

Rajat Tokas as Akbar in Zee TV's Jodha Akbar.