GECs
Asianet to telecast sequel to ‘Sthree’
MUMBAI: Looks like television channels are adapting to the film industry’s formula of creating sequels to popular movies. Zee TV launched the second part of one of its most successful soaps Hum Panch last week. This month, the Southern television space would witness the comeback of Sthree, the Kyunki… of Malayalam television.
Asianet, which capitalised hugely on the success of Sthree during its initial run from 1998-2000, will launch a sequel to the soap in November in its primetime band. The Chennai-based production house Yantra Media, the original creator of the show, is producing the new series as well.
“We have chosen to call it as the sequel because, this is the second part of the first Sthree which came on Asianet in 1998. Sthree II starts from where Sthree I ended in 2000,” Yantra Media head Shyamsundar told indiantelevision.com.
The serial had contributed immensely to Malayalam television’s soap culture. Sthree’s success made it a brand in Malayalam television and almost all the woman-oriented serials which followed made it a point to incorporate the word ‘Sthree’ (woman) in their titles and the trend still continues.
Even Yantra Media produced four more soaps in the same name with different storylines for Asianet. Yantra’s relationship with the channel ended when it joined Sun Network in 2003. Sun doesn’t allow its Southern producers to work for rival networks. But in August this year, Yantra came to back to Asianet as it quit the Sun Network in order to tap an expanding Southern TV market.
According to Shyamsundar, Sthree II’s launch date and schedule hasn’t been finalised yet. “Asianet has been telecasting Sthree I in its afternoon band. In Mid-November, it will go off air and the sequel will begin in the primetime band,” he says.
Popular actors Sidhique and Vinayaprasad, who played the title roles in the first edition, will play key roles in the sequel as well. “Their children take the story ahead,” Shyamsundar reveals.
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.
