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SAB back from its SABbatical




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MUMBAI, July 10

SAB is swinging
back into action after maintaining a low profile for almost a year after Sony Entertainment Television took it over in April 2005. At the time, it was decided that the channel would be positioned as a pure entertainment channel and would move out of its earlier 'comedy channel' tag. But the comedy bug seems to have bitten it again!

The channel recently raised eyebrows with its 'Twinkle Beauty Parlour' promotions. Now, it has launched yet another daily soap, titled 'Left Right Left', which tells the story of six youngsters joining the army. This show is being produced and directed by Tony and Deeya Singh (of 'Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin' and 'Banegi Apni Baat' fame) and will be aired from July 10, 2006, at 9.30pm.

Priya Mishra, programming head, SAB TV, says, "Comedy will be an integral part of our channel. But then, of course, we also want to upgrade in the GEC world. So, SAB cannot be a niche comedy channel. In fact, even 'Left Right Left' has a lot of comedy in it."

She adds, "There are various genres within comedy and we are just trying to reinvent one."

SAB will foray into the comedy genre in a big way this July with four new comedy shows being aired on prime time. The exact days and times are still to be confirmed. There's 'Ji Behenji', the story of a modern-day 'behenji' (conventional lady). There's also 'F.I.R', a comedy drama about a fictitious police station run by a bunch of entertainers. 'Party' is about a small-town man who comes to a big city and makes a profession out of organising parties. 'Ishq ki Ghanti' is a comedy about three unsatisfied, married men.

With more comedy shows in the pipeline than other entertainment genre shows, SAB wants to make a serious comeback to comedy. "Comedy is our forte and we want to come back as the king of comedy on television!" exclaims Vikas Bahl, senior vice-president and business head, SAB. According to Bahl, comedy shows will comprise 25 per cent of the channel's programming.

The channel is not targeting just men with its comedies this time. "We want to overcome the belief that women don't like comedies. 'Ji Behenji' is about a woman. But we are targeting families and a gender or age group specifically," explains Bahl.

Bahl is positive about the success of the new daily, 'Left Right Left', with youngsters. "There is no GEC today that is creating content for youngsters. Though the show is about youngsters, it has mature stories and is meant for anybody above the age of 18 and even those who want to be 18," he says.

Though the channel will roll out its detailed advertising plan for these shows in a few days, Bahl says it will use media such as print, TV and outdoor for the promotions of the programmes and lots of innovations.

A much needed breather from the never-ending saas bahu sagas comes from SAB TV. The channel is all set to woo viewers with a action packed youth oriented drama, Left Right Left. Produced by DJ's, the show will focus on the lives of general psyche of the modern day, disoriented youth. The show will premiere on 10 July and will telecast Monday-Thursday at 9.30 pm.

Set against the backdrop of Kanchanjanga Military Academy, Left Right Left revolves around the lives of six youth; Naina, Yudi, Alekh, Ali & Pooja, who join the pre NDA academy with varied interests, dreams, aspirations & goals. Their captain, Mr. Rajveer (essayed by Rajeev Kandelwal) is a taskmaster and their mentor, while Sveta Salve plays the character of Dr.Ritu Mishra. Captain Rajveer transforms them from naive to responsible citizens who are determined to fight all odds of life. Admist all this, the story will also show how the seeds of patriotism gets inculcated in their minds.

Commenting on the launch of the show, Vikas Bahl, Senior Vice President and Business Head, SAB, said, "Our programming strategy consists of

introducing new shows that include unique concepts, fresh new faces and an overall packaging that draws the masses, giving the much needed impetus to expand the channel viewer ship. At SAB, we are currently moving in the direction of consolidating our prime-time and are sure that Left Right Left will give us the expected boost."

Speaking about the distinct concept of the show, producer-director, Tony & Deeya Singh said, "Left Right Left demonstrates a unique story of six youngsters & their approach towards life. The viewers will be able to relate to Huda, Naina, Alekh, Ali, Yudi and Pooja since there would be times in their lives, where they would have experienced the same emotions, and therefore will empathize with them."

Left Right Left is surely an intentional drift from the time-n-tested formula of a women protagonist who is loaded with pancake and fighting evil. This contemporary show, for a change, will address the sentiments of our youth.

Only time will tell whether Left Right Left will march the right way!

Sab sings an innovative tune to promote 'Left Right Left'

By HETAL ADESARA
Indiantelevision.com Team


(10 July 2006 9:00 pm)


MUMBAI: Sab is trying to set itself apart from other general entertainment channels not just by its light hearted programming promise but also in the way it promotes its upcoming shows.

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The latest show to launch from Sab - Left Right Left - is one such show, which is being promoted with a difference. The show is about six youngsters who have joined a pre-military camp and have no idea where life is going to take them.


"As a channel we don't yet have the might and moolah like that of the other general entertainment channels to promote our shows. We may spend one fourth of what other do on promotions, but our aim is to get noticed and be seen as a different GEC. We have made a conscious effort to stay away from the typical GEC advertisement strategy," says Sab senior vice president and business head Vikas Bahl.


A music video around the show by music composer duo Vishal and Shekhar was launched a month ago and played across the Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India network channels as well on music channels like MTV and radio stations. "We hadn't revealed the name of the show in the music video and this helped in building curiosity around the show," says Bahl.

The channel also played the music video of the show in theatres across the country where Krrish was released. "We believe that the target audience for the movie and our show is the same. While the movie is targeting the youth, simultaneously it draws in the family too, which is what our show will also aim to do and hence we saw the fit there," says Bahl.

The next step was hit the grounds literally. Since the show is about the youth and they are many a times linked to spray painted walls with graffiti, Sab used spray painted messages with Left Right Left across the city on bus backs, trains, hoardings etc. "We created various backgrounds and spray painted on it to create the effect," informs Bahl.

What's more, Sab has also tied up with Indiatimes.com and created a viral campaign with an interstitial which appear with the show's name being spray painted by a girl, before the content of the site is visible.

Innovation in print was also carried out with publications like Hindustan Times Delhi, Navbharat Times, Punjab Kesari, Maharashtra Times etc, where some articles sported the spray painted look.

Sab has also tied up with Hutch wherein the tune of Left Right Left can be downloaded by mobile users. Apart from that, 15 seconds ad films were also made with each of the character in the show who gives his/her different take on life. FM stations like Radio Mirchi, Radio City and Red FM played the 50 second radio spots of the show.

Shveta Salve in Left Right Left


Mind-boggling



Kittie Party girl Salve plays a psychiatrist in her forthcoming show Left Right Left



Reena Thapar Kapoor



How does it feel to be back in the running?
I was always around, so where is the question of making a comeback. I agree that I have not been doing too much work lately. Some time ago, I was down with jaundice and was completely bed-ridden. After Sarkar wound up, only Left Right Left excited me enough.

Do you feel insecure around co-star Rajeev Khandelwal?
I must admit that I was apprehensive initially. His character in Kahiin To Hoga was larger than life and I was aware of his popularity. But that wasn't my worry. I had certain pre-conceived notions about him and thought that he would throw attitude and be full of himself. However, I've worked with him for three days now and I've had no reason to complain. He has been very co-operative and patient.

What is your role in Left Right Left ?
I play the role of a psychiatrist who is a confidante of many cadets. The backdrop of the show is the army. My job is to help the cadets overcome their fears and other complications. I'm sure it's going to be great fun essaying this character.

You are seen playing different characters in different shows. How do you manage that?
I played an editor in Lipstick, a rebellious bahu in Kahin Kisi Roz. I don't follow clichs. But I feel that the family dramas like Kittie Party, at some point fall prey to the saas-bahu trend. I'm not averse to doing saas-bahu soaps but they have a limited scope. I want to be as versatile as possible.

You have an uncanny resemblance to Madhuri Dixit.
Well, I'm an ardent fan of the actress! I was always called a Madhuri Dixit look-alike, in school, college and even now. I don't know if that has anything to do with both of us being Maharashtrians.

• I must admit that I was apprehensive about Rajeev Khandelwal initially. I thought that he would throw attitude and be full of himself — Shveta

Forward March

They say reel life imitates the real. They spoke true. This Monday saw an all-new show premiere on television that brings a bunch of boys and girls to a pre-NDA camp. Left Right Left stars a pretty shrink, a hunk of an instructor, a potpourri of students and loads of drama. Well, that's the REEL take. Closer home, there's a REAL version at YMCA Olive Greens. JAGMEETA THIND JOY takes a look at the 'action', both on and off the screen.

THE REEL VERSION: If television producer-director Deeya Singh (of the Tony and Deeya Singh duo) had her way, Left Right Left, their all-new show on Sab TV would have been shot at Chandigarh. ''God, I can't tell you how much I love the place,'' Singh tells us, a few days before the premiere of the new show Left Right Left that brings the story of six youngsters who come together at a pre-NDA Academy. ''It's not a docu-drama on the army or its way of life but essentially a modern and inspirational story. It captures the journey of six confused youngsters and disoriented youngsters who transform as strong determined individuals,'' Deeya explains. Interestingly, the story, as Singh puts it, ''also makes them realise their love for their country along the way.'' The characters on the show come from varied backgrounds and have their own reasons of signing up at the Academy. While the students (four boys, two girls) stars a bunch of newcomers, the instructors are being played by television favourites - current hearthrob and hunk Rajeev Khandelwal, the very sexy Shweta Salve and the Bollywood's best Army man - Puneet Issar. ''For me the Army has been way of life, given the fact that my father's a retired amrny officer and my brother's serving and is posted at NDA,'' informs Rajeev Khandelwal who plays Capt Rajvir on the show. ''Which is why I wanted to make sure - from my looks to my attitude to body langauge, everything remained true to character,'' adds the man who's current wardrobe boasts of plenty of OGs! Set in the backdrop of the Kanchenjunga Military Academy, the cast had to make sure they were physically fit. ''Lucky for me, I play the shrink,'' beams Shweta Salve who has always ''admired the men in uniform''. ''It's all about discipline and you'll see a lot of that on the show,'' she chuckles.

IN REALITY: We are at YMCA Olive Greens, Sector 11. For the unitiated, Olive Greens is, as one of its instructors Lt Col Ashokan tells us, a training camp that ''focusses on the overall development of personality of the youth'' specially those who aspire to become commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. ''Unlike what people think, it's not all brawn that matters at the selection level,'' says the Colonel as we brief him on the new show. ''At Olive Greens we train candidates on a true SSB environment by providing a look alike setup with all types of group tasks, individual obstacles spread out on the grounds apart from training capsules on personality development. And like its reel avatar, the students come from diverse fields. ''It's been my ambition always,'' beams Puneet Rana, here from Palampur, HP. Sitting alongside is a petite Meenu Verma from Dharamsala. ''Same for me though it took me a while to convince my parents it's alright for girls to go ahead with a career in the Army,'' says Verma who has been giving the training her best shot. Quiz the bunch on whether the training has made a difference to their lives and they chorus, ''In more ways than one.'' Discipline, strength of mind and body, confidence tops their list. But one thing they all agree upon - it ain't easy. Well, that's because its reality.

'I have a thing for men at work'

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 18:48 IST

Actor Shveta Salve, who was last seen in 'Sarrkar', believes in spacing out her performances, hence the deliberate choice to do few shows. Very soon she will be seen in director duo Tony and Deeya Singh's 'Left Right Left' (SAB). The dusky actor says, "I don't want to have a short shelf-life. That's why I believe in working in spurts."

She elaborates on her role in this military-based show, "I play Dr Ritu Mishra a psychiatrist in a cadet school. She's a friend, philosopher and guide to the youngsters and helps them sort their issues in life."

Quiz her on what would give her an edge among other actors and she shoots, "The competition is definitely huge but my passion towards my profession and hard work have helped me survive. Life's incomplete without a passion for something."

Ask her on her equation with co-actor Rajeev Khandelwal and she says, "He's very approachable and down to earth. It's admirable that he has reached so high in a very short span."

Never to be impressed with fast cars and good looks, Shveta reveals, "My man should have grey cells because you need to converse. After a point you get bored with looking at each other. My man should be passionate about his work. I have a thing for men at work."

Shveta is also slated to make an appearance in 'Kittu Sabb Jaanti Hai' and considers films as the next big step.

He's often been called arrogant and charming in the same breath. He may not be drop-dead good-looking but has the face of a poster-boy. He chucked up secured fame for growth as an actor.
Rajeev Khandelwal will be the enigma of the season
The newest daily on air is Left Right Left. Produced and directed by Tony and Deeya Singh, Left Right Left on SAB TV is an inspirational and modern story. It captures the journey of six confused and disoriented youngsters who transform into strong determined individuals. The story also renders their realization for the love of their motherland along the way.

At the centre of the young ones' life is Captain Rajveer, a charming gentleman with a great sense of humour. He is is at the academy on a high level confidential agenda. He is a taskmaster to the core and becomes a true mentor of the youngsters, and he is portrayed by Rajeev Khandelwal aka Sujal.

Rajeev's early foray into documentary filmmaking is by now well-known. Since he has done one on the Indian Army, he must feel at home with this series. "I never was a big-time documentary filmmaker. It was more of experimenting with DD and in a small way I contributed to them. I began writing and directing documentary films. Till date, I have written about 30 documentaries on various subjects, I made a documentary on the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, old age, women's labour among many others."

That experience and attraction for making a film on the army stems from his family ties — his father is a retired army officer and his brother serves in the army. So to some extent that has been his reason for doing Left Right Left. Ask if he did any preparation and he replies, "Nothing much. I did go to the Raigad Military Academy for a fitness reference point. Besides, my brother was posted in Pune till recently, so I would visit him quite regularly and had an opportunity to observe him. This kind of exposure has helped me with my body language, nuances and tone of voice. But I am not playing a man in uniform. I am seen as an instructor in plainclothes. But my body language and tone will reflect my Army grounding and discipline. As Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat I am linked with all the other characters and each has a flair of his own. Shweta Salve is a psycho-analyst, Puneet Issar is the principal and I am the instructor."

Since the channel is not really a mainstream one, the show is likely to go unnoticed, but Rajeev is not too concerned, "Tony and Deeya have a wonderful track-record. Besides, my idea isn't to rock the TRP meter, I would love to do that too, but would prefer to do shows which have a definite focus." According to Rajeev, Time Bomb was always slated for 24 episodes and he is comfortable with that.




He does not feel left out for not being seen on a high-profile channel. "I find it sad when I see actors running after shows. They are being featured in three to four shows simultaneously. It shows how insecure they are. I'm proud about all the work that I have been doing. I'd rather look ahead and do meaningful work." Having been off the hectic pace of the shooting schedule for a daily show, Rajeev avers that he's finding his rhythm. "With Left Right Left I am back to a daily after a long time. I had for sometime lost touch with the schedule."

The actor is referred to by quite a few epithets, and his admires will aver that 'pin-up boy' is the most correct . He has a gaggle of girls gushing over him, when spotted. They just cannot take their eyes off his intense dark eyes. The Balaji late-night soap Kaahin To Hoga brought him to the threshold of recognition and popularity. He became the face of Sujal Garewal, the protagonist. The adulation that followed was something any young actor would have given an arm and a leg for. All this despite the fact that Kaahin To Hoga was a late night show. Yet, when he had everything going for him he simply upped and announced that he wanted out. "Sujal catapulted me to fame. I got recognition. I couldn't have asked for anything better. But I needed to grow as an actor and as an individual." In fact, many were the critics who scoffed at his foolishness.. Aware of the criticism that gathered around him Rajeev avers, "When I walked out of Kaahin To Hoga people were critical. And those who talk like that are all losers. I walked out at the peak of my association with the show, and out of the safety and security of having regular work." But he did so in search of growth and a challenge.

Though he seems to be going for unconventional roles after Kaahin To Hoga, he simply can't shake off the Sujal tag, and doesn't really mind it, "I love it when I am called Sujal, and people still call me Sujal as the association is so strong. In fact, I would be hurt if I am asked who I am."

Playing Sujal for an indefinite period wasn't what the good-looking actor had in mind. "I wanted the makers to know that I am capable of going beyond Sujal." So his next role was in an action serial Time Bomb which ended in 24 episodes. "I see doing such unconventional roles as a challenge to show my talent." Time Bomb with Ketan Mehta was different and challenging for the young actor at so early in his career. "It was a brilliant experience working with Ketan Mehta and Kay Kay Menon. It didn't do well as regards TRPs. But the whole thing was a learning experience," Rajeev sums up. He also anchored Deal Ya No Deal, which he enjoyed doing and was sorry it had to close down.

The end credits of many a prime-time serial read 'Show Packaging - Rajeev Khandelwal'. Now considering Rajeev's association with filmmaking, it would be an obvious question if he is also involved in show packaging for some of the serials. He chuckles, "This is anther Rajeev Khandelwal. It is not the first time I have been asked this question. He too is from Delhi, but a very senior person in the industry and a good editor. When I was in Delhi making my films, some media people would often mistake me for him, but as soon as they found out I wasn't their man they would drop me. When I came to Mumbai, he was already here by then by that time, we met and laughed at the mixed-up identities."

Marching in tune

You won't be faulted if it reminds of DD's Fauji, but Sab's new show Left Right Left got off to a solid start. Fresh faces, competent acting, and a catchy title score that runs with haunting regularity in the background - the Tony and Deeya Singh daily has what it takes to stand apart from the crowd. The dynamic cadets are energetic enough to deflect attention from the older leads - Shweta Salve and Rajeev Khandelwal. Just as well.

Couch potato grudge of the week - Must Sab TV plug the newly launched LRL every few minutes on the channel, throughout the day? Even a slickly shot promo can become tiresome at that frequency.