GECs
Zee’s new show celebrates love
MUMBAI: Love means different things to different people; some find it magical, others plain volatile. But most agree it is one exhilarating ride that brings two people together.
Celebrating this beautiful but complicated emotion is Zee TV’s new show Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya which comes to your drawing rooms starting 6 January – five days a week at 10pm.
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It centers on the thought that – you don_t find love, love finds you, says Ajay Bhalwankar
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The channel’s first new show of 2014, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, produced by Rajan Shahi of Director’s Kut Productions, will replace the ongoing Khelti Hai Zindagi Aankh Micholi.
Says Hindi GECs content head Ajay Bhalwankar: “It is not about kitchen politics, it is not about any other melodramatic narratives. The story is absolutely simple and clean. It talks about the various aspects of exploring love. It centers on the thought that – you don’t find love, love finds you!”
Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya traces the emotional journey of two young people with different notions about love, against the picture-perfect backdrop of the Pink City aka Jaipur.
Bhalwankar believes the series will bust quite a few myths associated with love and marriage. “The first myth the show should break is that love stories don’t work on television. Second myth, love means running away, love means dying at the end of the film. This is a happy love story and a non-controversial love story. It is about discovering and falling in love,” he says.
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It is a simple and a clean love story, says Rajan Shahi
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With Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Shahi, who has directed shows like Saat Phere and Maayka on Zee TV, turns first-time producer for the channel. Like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai which served as a platform for debutants Hina Khan and Karan Mehra, Shahi will introduce newcomers Kaanchi Singh (Avni) and Mishkat Varma (Raj) as the lead pair in the new series.
While Avni’s parents will be played by Reena Kapoor and Rajeev Singh, Waseem Mushtaqh, Ashita Dhawan, Rajeev Verma and newbie Nikita Agarwal form the rest of the cast.
Isn’t getting fresh talent on board a risk? “Yes, definitely, there is some risk involved. But I enjoy it. After Ekta Kapoor, I can proudly say that DKP is the one which has given maximum newcomers a platform like this. I like to invest in newcomers and have worked with the maximum number of newcomers. You want to get fresh talent on board for fresh stories,” says Shahi.
So far, eight episodes have been canned with four episodes shot fully and ready to go on air.
Asked whether the 10pm slot will work, Shahi says: “I have never asked channels for particular slots. For me, it’s my work, whether you put me in the 2 pm or 6 pm slot, I have to work. Over the years, I am not so blinded by it, but TVTs do play an important role. I know that we are judged by TVTs, but I don’t let this affect my day-to-day living.”
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Speaking of promoting the new series, Zee TV has a well-rounded strategy on the cards which includes endorsements in print, TV, DTH and cable. An interesting audience engagement program targeting couples is also underway.
Not only is Shahi confident of the new show, after being in the industry for so long and experimenting with different mediums, Shahi feels television has truly arrived. “TV is now evolving and changing at a much faster speed than ever before. The change is now happening every two to three months. In terms of revenue and employment, it is growing bigger than Bollywood.”
“The kind of revenue television is generating is three times more than films. The kind of employment television is generating is again three times more than films. So, TV as a canvas has grown bigger. Very thankfully, people don’t look down on TV any more. They don’t consider it a step down. It is becoming exciting with lots of new content also coming in. Indian television quality is also brilliant given the conditions and budgets we’ve worked with earlier,” Shahi signs off.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
