MUMBAI: Worldwide the radio is becoming an increasingly powerful storytelling medium. The BBC has announced that its Asian radio network in the UK will launch its first soap dedicated to the NRIs and other Asia residents.

Silver Street kicks off on 24 May and will air Monday to Friday with a weekend omnibus. In India Radio City took the soap opera route by adapting Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The soap airs on Star Plus and was instrumental in the network cementing its number one status.

Coming back to the UK project the Beeb issued a release stating that over one million has been committed. The show will follow the lives of young Asians living in a Midlands city. It will offer a fresh, fast-moving and topical portrayal of modern Asian life.

The show's cast includes film, stage and television actor Jetinder Summan and actresses Hema Mangoo and Bharti Patel. The storylines will tackle the issues and challenges facing the British Asian community. Property developers, club promoters, a potential Asian football star and families with hopes, ambitions and secrets feature amongst the drama's characters. Their stories are played out against the backdrop of urban Britain - the municipal park, community centre and restaurants.

While Silver Street is a fictitious neighbourhood in the West Midlands the beeb stated that it could easily be Brick Lane in London or Belgrave Road in Leicester. It is a street where new money is changing the make-up of the community and regeneration is both an opportunity and a threat to the established values and traditions.