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.