GECs
‘Antakshri’ makes 400th episode splash for Gujarat’s earthquake-affected
MUMBAI: Close Up Antakshri, the successful game and entertainment show from Zee TV which completed its 400th episode this week, has just added another feather in its cap.
As part of the celebrations marking the occasion a series of special shows have been organised, the proceeds of which are going towards the rehabilitation efforts in earthquake-hit Gujarat.
That is not all. Children from Aasra, a home for underprivileged orphans in Mumbai, also benefited and took away Rs 100,000 in winnings from the show on Wednesday at Water Kingdom in Esselworld, Mumbai’s premier amusement park.
Shooting for the forthcoming 14 special episodes of Close Up Antakshri are being shot at Water Kingdom to mark its seventh consecutive year on air. Though the children from Aasra won a total of Rs 200,000, half of the winnings went towards the earthquake relief fund and the remainder to Aasra, a CRY-funded (Child Relief and You) organisation. The winning amount was presented by model Aditi Gowatikar who recently lifted the Mrs World title, another one of India’s rapidly increasing tribe of international beauty pageant winners. Half of the winnings of all the episodes are going towards earthquake relief.
Close Up Antakshri introduced the game format in October last year, and has given out Rs 12.8 million as winning amounts since joining the bandwagon of game shows dominated by the likes of Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Anchored by Anu Kapoor and actress Rajeshwari Sachdev, the show had its lows and highs. The audience went dead silent at times when the pace of music slowed and had to be rescued by Kapoor who is an old hand at this. Kapoor has been on the show since its inception. Nevertheless, with the serene ambience of Water Kingdom, the show received a good response from people.
The brainchild of director-producer Gajendra Singh, the stage was created amidst the waves. Also participating in the event were personalities from the film world like Asrani, Sashikala, Joy Mukherjee, Johra Sehgal, Vishwajeet, and Shobha Khote.
Zee is all geared up for the grand finale episode where Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal will be a participant. Various aerial camera angles of this show will be shot though the Deccan Aviation-sponsored (India’s largest helicopter company) helicopters on Friday when the fund raising will rest on Bhujbal’s shoulders. Fourteen earthquake-affected families will be benefited from the contributions collected.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
