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ETV Bangla recreates ‘Balika Vadhu’ in Bengali
KOLKATA: Come 15 April and ETV Bangla will have a host of original content for its audience. The channel which has created an afternoon time band, ‘Duronto Dupur’ is set to launch four new shows to keep its viewers hooked on to the channel and carve out a space in the regional general entertainment genre.
Of the four new soaps, one is Gouri Daan, which is inspired by the popular Colors show Balika Vadhu. Starting 15 April at 1:00 pm, the programme aims at creating a niche for itself in the Bengali market which has had several progressive shows.
So why remake a popular Hindi show into Bengali? Answers ETV Bangla programming head Ritika Roy, “ As per our research, in 2013, West Bengal emerged as the fourth largest state in the country, which competed in the category of child marriage and 55 per cent of the girls who were married were far younger than the marriageable age.” Also the channel in order to hook its afternoon band audience wanted to take up a strong issue-based story. The West Bengal government also launched a campaign last year called ‘Kanyashree Prakalpa’ for curbing child marriage in the state.
While one can argue that Gouri Daan was not a replica of Balika Vadhu, the essence is the same. It is also leant that the storyline has been changed in keeping with the Bengali sentiments.
The show which is being produced under the umbrella of Shree Venkatesh Films, will initially create 300 episodes for the series. “We have created a bank of 11 episodes, which will be aired in the course of two weeks,” informs Shree Venkatesh Films director Mahendra Soni.
Those starring in the series are: Soumik Chattopadhaya, Torsha, an eight year old newcomer, who will play the lead character of Gauri and Sumanto Mukherjee, who will be seen in the role of a grandfather.
The show will be shot not only in Shantiniketan, but also at Varanasi and Murshidabad. “This apart from the 10,000 square feet set created for the series,” says Soni.
Elaborating on the plot of Gauri Daan, Roy says, “The series kicks off with Lord Shiva appearing in the dream of Sumanto Mukherjee (the grandfather), asking him to marry off his youngest granddaughter. We have depicted child marriage to raise awareness about this menace in our society.”
While not revealing any details on the cost of each episode, Roy says, “It will be at par with other players in the Bangla regional channel space.”
According to city-based media experts, on a fiction show a regional GEC can spend anywhere between Rs 1 to Rs 2 lakh per episode.
“Till date, the noon slot had re-runs of the evening shows. By airing original content, we are also looking at some share in this monopoly market,” says Viacom 18 executive vice president and business head – regional channels, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla and ETV Odiya, Ravish Kumar.
So who would be the sponsors for the afternoon band? Answers Kumar, “Talks are on with several advertisers. Nothing has been finalised as yet.”
The network will do all that is needed to promote the new shows. “We will put up 300 hoardings across the state, apart from spending on radio spots and print advertisements,” he informs.
When quizzed about the ratings the channel was expecting to garner through the new show, Kumar says, “We are not expecting anything. All I can say is that Balika Vadhu is quite popular even after running for so many years.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
