| Manju Singh's name may not be familiar with the new generation.
But over two decades ago, she anchored Khel Khilone, the only Hindi kiddie show on Doordarshan. Her name is also synonymous with Ek Kahaani, which had leading stars recreate a literary piece every week on DD.
It's play time!
Though Singh, along with son Gautam, revived Ek Kahaani as Phir Ek Kahaani for DD in March this year, she now has plans to rekindle memories of her Khel Khilone days as well. Khel Khilone aired for seven years on DD from 1976.
"I have been thinking about it for a while. Wherever I go, there are quite a few people who still remember Khel Khilone. Today they have children of their own. They tell the kids that when they were young, I used to entertain them. They have several memories still attached to DD and Khel Khilone," says Manju.
Setting up database
As part of this initiative, Singh plans to have a festival of children's films in December and have the Khel Khilone fans come under one roof.
"We will go down memory lane. The response even after all these years is overwhelming. A few days ago, I was at an event at the Cathedral and John Connon School where my granddaughter studies. I was touched when the yoga teacher came up to me and told me that she has vivid images of Khel Khilone," says Singh, who began as an actor on Delhi DD in the '60s. She also acted in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's film, Golmaal.
At the moment she is setting up a database of people who would be interested in being part of the Khel Khilone experience. "People have been giving me their visiting cards so that I can contact them when it rolls. Those interested can get in touch with me at khel.khilone.club@gmail.
com," she says.
A new story
Singh's banner, Video Eye Production, also produced the film-based Showtime — the first sponsored show on DD, as well as the Miss India shows, and also plans to produce a children's film in the near future.
About DD's Phir Ek Kahaani, she says that every Monday a new story unfolds. "Tonight's episode is based on an English story by Nisha D'Cunha called Item: One —Calendar On Wall which takes on the trials and tribulations of a newly-married couple living in a chawl.
Directed by Vikas Desai, the cast includes Neil Bhoopalam, Anuya Bhagwat, Anuradha Khare, Aditya Ranade and Vijay Karpe. It is a contemporary story with a positive message that will be told in two parts," says Singh |
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