article section - Page 10

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1050827

In India, the 21:00 - 22:00 timeslot has seen some intense competition between STAR Plus and ZEE TV, with the latter giving market leader a run for its money in a big way!

India's top rating channel STAR Plus is axing Balaji soap 'Kkavyanjali' later this month (next month in the UK) and replacing it with another Balaji offering called 'Karam Apna Apna'.

Commenting on the change, Shailja Kejriwal, Creative Director, STAR India admitted that 'Kkavyanjali' hadn't worked as per expectations. She said, "The show started very well and we had always designed it as a finite show. It has even given us 12 plus on peak days. However, I think the problem came in when we changed the story track to give it another lease of life. The show has been slipping since and we didn't see any point in dragging it further."

ZEE TV's 'Saat Phere' and 'Kasamh Se' have been delivering record numbers in the past few days and so rival STAR Plus is pulling out all the stops to make sure it remains the most watched in that timeslot. Recently, the channel also launched 'Virasaat' during primetime. 'Virasaat' was brought in to replace 'Milee'.

'Viraasat' has so far been playing in between the 4 and 5 TRP region for STAR Plus, which by STAR standards are very low. Commenting on the numbers of the new show, Kejriwal said, "At present, I am very happy. The show has clocked in an average of 6 plus last week and that indicates that it is on an upward trend, which is very good news."

With ZEE TV launching 'Dulhan Banoo Mein Teri' and Sony launching its mega dance show 'Jhalak Dikhlaja', its good timing for STAR Plus to make the changes. But will the changes perform? Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for updates.

Monday, September 04, 2006 20:39 IST

"Since I worked in Balaji Telefilms' serial Kya Hadsa Kya Haqeqat, they knew my work. I also told them very clearly that I would not be interested in doing a similar negative role as in Kya Hadsa... if I am considered for any of their serials. So, when this new character was thought of in Kyunki..., they approached me," relates Rakshanda. Entering the serial as a foreign investor willing to work with the Virani Parivaar, she hopes the role catches audience notice. "When I meet people, specially children and older people, they tell me how good I am as Mallika in Jassi... Little girls tell me when they grow up, they want to dress up like Mallika. So, you see, there is appreciation, there is admiration. I hope, the new role in Star Plus too is well accepted," she says. Starting off with modelling, anchoring, and then serials, Rakshanda, being the first in her family to enter the world of showbiz, says she is still apprehensive to take the big leap - films. "There is so much happening in my career. I am actually very happy with this. Since the time I was modelling, I have been getting film offers but that is a territory I am not very comfortable with and so I don't want to tread it yet," the lady is quite clear about it. Being in the show world, isn't she a little strange?

http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/sep/sep66.htm

Not sure if this has been posted already or not. If it has been posted, can someone please delete it?

Anam

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After changing the venue from Bangkok to Dubai for the outdoor shoot, the team of 'Kasamh Se' (Zee) have a new set of problems on hand. First, Bani, (Prachi Desai) the protagonist of the show, did not have a passport to travel for the shoot. "I have never travelled abroad and this will be my first trip. In fact, none of my family members have travelled abroad before," reveals Prachi.

Sources close to the channel reveal that since Prachi did not have a passport, there had to be a last minute scramble to get everything organised. Reveals Nivedita Basu, deputy creative head, Balaji, "Initially, we all panicked when we realised that she does not have a passport. But now the problem has been sorted out."

But, that's not all. There seems to be another hurdle in obtaining Prachi's visa. Since Prachi is only 17-years-old, the Dubai authorities have refused her a visa. Insiders say that if Prachi's visa does not come through, the outdoor shoot will have to be stalled because she is the focal character in the track. "I know there is a problem with my visa. Since no one in my family has a passport, I cannot take any one from among them as my guardian. But I am turning 18 on the 12th of this month and I think everything will get sorted out. I am looking forward to this trip and am excited about the long shopping list with me," laughs Prachi. The production house is also a bit sceptical. They have to get the visa issue sorted out because the team is scheduled to leave on the 16th. The team will be in Dubai for a week for a dramatic development in the track and only the main characters will be travelling.

Roshni Chopra's (aka Pia of Kasamh Se) trousseau shopping came to a halt recently after she was mobbed by onlookers. She was in Delhi, shopping, when all of a sudden a crowd gathered around her and wouldn't let her continue. Roshni says, "I am getting married on December 10 (to director Siddharth Anand Kumar), and hadn't yet started my shopping. So, at my mother's insistence, I took some days off and went to Delhi to shop. But the people there recognised me and crowded around me. They kept asking me about Kasamh Se. This angered my mom no end. She complained that I do not have the time to shoot and when I have the time, I engage myself in talking to public."

Apparently, Roshni's mother then suggested that she cover her face so that nobody recognised her. Roshni laughs, "My mom suggested I cover my face and I had no option. I bought lots of traditional Indian wear like saris and salwar kameezes. Even then, I couldn't complete my shopping. The Kasamh Se unit is flying to Dubai soon, so I intend to shop a lot in Dubai. Meanwhile my mom will do the rest of the shopping here."

Incidentally, Roshni's wedding coincides with that of another telly couple, Arjun Punjj and Gurdip Kohli. "I believe Gurdip too was in Delhi to shop for her trousseau. Some of the shopkeepers told me that she too had come there. I guess the television fraternity will be divided on whose wedding to attend on that day. I hope at least the Kasamh Se unit is able to attend my wedding. We intend to get married in Delhi since Siddharth and I are both from Delhi. We will have a long marriage ceremony, over two weeks, complete with every ritual like keertan, mehendi, sangeet and choora. I want to be the traditional Indian bride," says Roshni.

Sorry if its already been posted... but yea guys, Pia is getting married in reality!! Congratz Roshni!! I hate your onscreen character, but I'm happy for you in your real life!!

Cheers,

dc