AB TV PAR YASH RAJ

Here's one move that's sure to give television producers, including small screen czarina Ekta Kapoor, sleepless nights.

Move over Balaji & Company, for the mighty Yash Raj Films is making its foray into tellydom. In characteristic YRF style, details are hard to come by as the production house believes in keeping everything under lock and key until the time is right. But sources reveal that they will be ready to make their move by the end of the year.

And if the way they make films is any yardstick, a similar strategy of hardselling their products is being employed for small screen projects. Finance is no constraint for Yash Raj, so big bucks are already being pumped into the new division. It is learnt that work is in progress and several directors, assistant directors, writers and technicians have been approached to come on board. What's more, several TV actors have also been sounded off about the development.

Meet the biggies

A core team consisting of director Samar Khan (Kuch Meetha Hog Jaaye) and Raveena Kohli (director Kunal Kohli's wife, who is directing Koffee with Karan), among others, has already been selected for the television division. Apparently, Karan Johar was also approached to come on board, but since his Dharma Productions recently inked a deal with NDTV for entertainment programming, he had to refuse. Yash Raj's plan is to create a slew of programmes that include soaps and current affairs.

Tight-lipped
At this point, Yash Raj officials are keeping mum on the subject. Its media department and even those who have signed up for the new venture have been given strict instructions not to reveal any details.

Says an onlooker, "It's true that Yashraj is branching out to television; It's going to be an independent department. Though it is still in the nascent stages, several big names from television and Bollywood are being considered for the TV projects. People at YRF have been told to be tight-lipped. Try talking to anyone associated with Yash Raj Films and you're told to refer all inquiries to their media department. They, in turn, have been given strict instructions not to divulge anything about the new division."

Knowing them, however, it will only be a matter of time before the big announcement.