News/Articles Related To Star One.. - Page 12

There's a new kid on the block. Star One's much awaited Nach Baliye started of on a rather sizzling note. I must say, it's a pretty awesome concept, to have television's most promising real life jodis rock the screen.

I think the show scores on two points. One obviously being that the concept stands out from the regular stuff being churned out across the mass entertainment channels. And secondly, the jodis are known television names with their own fan following across channels which will definitely rake in viewers.

Apart from this, the peppy anchors Sangeeta Ghosh and Shabbir also make for a good anchor jodi. Both not just share an awesome chemistry but are also popular faces in their own right.

Rohit and Manasi out of Nach Baliye
By: A hitList Correspondent
October 17, 2005

Rohit and Manasi The first jodi to be voted out of Star One's dance show, Nach Baliye, is made up of Rohit Roy and Manasi Joshi Roy, a source informs us. The couple will be eliminated in Thursday's episode. "It came as a huge surprise to everyone working on Nach Baliye. We expected Amit (Sadh) and Neeru (Bajwa) to be voted out, as they received the lowest scores from the judges", says the source. Here's saluting their sporting spirit, especially Manasi's, who we know spent hours rehearsing and making sure she gave the rest a tough competition. Both actors were unavailable for comment.

PROFILE: Sonal Sehgal

Nitin Joshi

Ludhiana, October 15: One amongst the few good shows, currently on air, is Hotel Kingston on Star One. It's not just different but, you will agree that it is also interesting. Now we hear that the weekly which is about to complete a year is all set to wind after 52 episodes. We caught up with lead actress Sonal Sehgal who plays Shelly Sahay. Sehgal has been acting only on Hotel Kingston, while she awaits the release of her debut film, You Bomzi & Me in which she plays one of the lead characters.

Is Hotel Kingston winding up?
I have also been hearing and reading about this. We haven't been informed officially though. The show was contracted for 52 shows and we are 48 now.


How's the experience been for you?
Fabulous. Simply great. We had great fun doing it. Everybody on the show is of the same age group so we play a lot of pranks on the sets. We get along very well. Our director, Sapna, keeps telling us that she feels like a kindergarten teacher as she has to control all of us!

Enjoyed playing Shelly?
Oh yes! It's not the typical heroine role. Shelly started out as a spoilt brat, very rude who then grows and matures into a woman. It's a real character so I'm enjoying it. She's not the sacrificing Sati Savitri who is giving in forever.

One hasn't ever seen you clad in saris and designer bindis. Has it been a deliberate effort to stay away from the saas-bahu look and regular stuff?
I think I've been lucky. And I can't do characters which don't appeal to me or who I can't understand or relate to. It has to be convincing or else I will goof up. Before Shelly, Sanjana in Saara Akash was a terrorist in disguise. It was a negative character but not unreal.

Excited, nervous or what about your film debut?
Yes, it's on 7th of October. I am excited and just hoping that people go to theatres and watch it. When they do so I'm sure they will love it. Fingers crossed.

What is the film about?
It's a real film about today's couples and the kind of problems they face. The film is about three couples and I play an airhostess and my husband is a video jockey. Because of our professions there is a communication gap which leads to a lot of hassles.

Think the film will work?
I think so. Like I said it's a real film... very today. It's an enjoyable film which looks at the funnier side of life. I am sure audiences will identify with the characters who are also real. So are the clothes, the sets, the language, the situations, the script. There are no dream sequences...

What next?
I don't know. Haven't really planned anything.

Now that you have a film coming up, will you continue with television?
I will. Of course, it will have to be something really good - and I will definitely take it on. The medium doesn't really matter, it has to be good work.

A year on air, Star One aims for No. 2 slot in Hindi GEC space

Indiantelevision.com Team

(27 October 2005 8:00 pm)


MUMBAI: "Have you ever played the game called Risk? It is all about moving forces here and there. That is exactly what we are doing here, post Star One's arrival."

Thus explained Star India COO Sameer Nair, was how, in a single year, Star One managed to reach what is an enviable position in the Hindi entertainment space.




Nair, during a Q&A session with the media, on the occasion of Star One completing one year, spoke about the gutsy performance the channel put up, reaching out to 71 per cent of its TG population in the first three months itself. He also explained some significant decisions taken on the strategy front and the channel's future plans.

On the ad sales front, Nair said, Star One would soon hike its rates. The channel, which began with the Target Audience (TG) ABC 15-34, had premium rates attached to it. But it was forced to reduce its rates as the strategy didn't work. But, once shows such as Instant Kichdi and The Great Indian Laughter Challenge started to deliver, the channel brought in a hike after seven months of its launch. During the course, the channel has broadbased its TG also, to ABC4+.




"The idea is to broadbase Star One and get the same value as Star Plus. We have already accommodated Star One in the sales package which includes Star Plus, Star Gold and Star Utsav," says Nair.

Another key change, Nair explained, was the co-ordination now happening between the Star Plus team and the Star One team. "Earlier, the operations of Star Plus and Star One were worked out differently. But now, the teams have started working together. For example, we are giving the full network push to our brand new show Nach Baliye," points out Nair.

As it completes one year, Star One has initiated some key changes in its schedule as well. The Monday - Thursday 8 pm serial Remix's duration has been brought down from one hour to half-an-hour. "It is very difficult to do a one hour daily show," Nair reasons.

This year will also see Star One debuting on the horror genre. Darna Mana Hai from the K Sera Sera stable will launch on 14 November (Monday to Thursday, 10 pm). Inspired by the success of Remix, Star One is launching the soap India Calling on the same day. The serial, set in the backdrop of India's call centres, will occupy the 9:30 time slot Monday to Wednesday.


Strategy-wise, Star One has also been pushing the case of of seasonal programming. The channel has already made its intentions clear to bring the second season of the successful chat show Koffee with Karan. Another key property making its comeback through a second season would be The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. According to Nair, the channel is targeting a March 2006 re-launch of the popular show.

"The next three to four months are going to be very complicated as well as interesting. We will be launching a number of shows and our competitors are also planning so many things," Nair sums up.

Kkusum's tooth trauma
By: Sandipan Dalal
October 28, 2005

TOOTHLESS WONDER: Shilpa Saklani and Apoorva Agnihotri perform their Gabbar-Basanti routine in Nach Baliye October 22, 2005 will always remain a terrible day in the lives of TV actors Shilpa Saklani and Apoorva Agnihotri. The two accidentally collided during a dance rehearsal early that morning, causing one of Shilpa's front teeth to be uprooted. Despite the severe gum injury, heavy bleeding and missing tooth, the actress went ahead and shot for the third round of Nach Baliye. Tough gun The couple was in the middle of their Gabbar-Basanti act, when Apoorva's prop, a toy gun, hit Shilpa's face. Says the shaken actress, "After our technical and dress rehearsals at the studio, we reached our Lokhandwala rehearsal hall at around 12.10 am. We were practicing our steps for the final performance, when a wrong turn landed me with this injury. My gum was torn apart and my front tooth fell off, with blood oozing out. I was in tears; it was so painful I could hardly speak. I tried to get in touch with my dentist, but he was not reachable. All night long, I was only replacing blood-soaked cotton balls. My head, nose, eyes and ears were hurting so badly, I felt somebody was giving me electric shocks." MERE PAAS DAANT... NAHIN HAIN! Apoorva brandishes the errant gun Teeth surgically fixed Shilpa's teeth had been surgically fixed four years back, when she fell headlong in an attempt to save her father from falling. "In our ground floor Navy Nagar house, we had a slope built outside for my dad's wheelchair. The slope had developed cracks after the monsoons and I was being extra cautious while taking him out, when I had a bad fall, which left me bleeding," she recounts. "After that, I had to undergo surgery where my gum and two teeth were fixed with a metal rod and a set of screws. This time, the screw came off, and even the rod was almost displaced, which led to so much bleeding." The Kkusum actress went to her dentist in Yari Road at 9.15 the next morning. She was treated with injections to the gum, before reporting on the sets of Nach Baliye to perform. "I was about to withdraw from the contest," says Shilpa. "Apoorva informed the channel authorities but they would not give up on us so easily. They constantly supported and encouraged us. Apoorva even said that we would go and sit among the audience to cheer for the other couples. But gradually, I realised I couldn't let Apoorva down. We have spent sleepless nights gearing up for the show; no pain can touch upon our dedication." Hare Krishna An ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, Shilpa confesses that her constant chanting of "hare Krishna" boosted her confidence. "The choreography also had to be changed, as I was looking funny sporting a swollen face. Just before our performance, Saroj Khan walked into my van and said, 'God bless you. I'm proud of you. It needs courage to face the camera with a swollen face.' That did the trick; although I managed to pull it off, it definitely took a toll on our performance." The actress is now recuperating from the accident. "The pain has subsided and it's not swollen any more. My dentist has fixed a temporary tooth cap and I've also started eating solid food again," she says.

Star One celebrates first birthday
By: A hitList Correspondent
October 28, 2005

CALLING ALL VIEWERS: India Calling November 1 marks the first anniversary of Star One. As it steps into its second year, the channel launches two new shows — India Calling and Darna Mana Hai. They will premiere on November 14, with India Calling at 9.30 pm, followed by Darna Mana Hai at 10 pm, from Monday to Thursday. Announcing the new programming block at a media meet held at the Star office yesterday, Sameer Nair, COO, Star India Pvt Ltd, said, "Star One was launched in November 2004 with the promise to push the boundaries of Hindi general entertainment programming. In the past year, we have delivered on this promise with innovative programming like The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, Nach Baliye, Siddhanth, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Remix and The Great Indian Comedy Show. India Calling and Darna Mana Hai will be weaved into an exciting line-up of programmes that will make prime time viewing on television a whole new experience." Adds Deepak Segal, executive vice-president, Content and Communications, Star India adds, "We are excited about the launch of these two new shows. Nach Baliye, which was launched last month, has set TV screens on fire across the country. As we enter our second year in November, we will continue to take Star One to greater heights with shows like Nach Baliye and The Great Indian Laughter Champions. These shows aim to capture the prime time slot in Indian households." DON'T YOU DARE! Darna Mana Hai Set against the backdrop of a call centre, India Calling is the story of the victory of a small town girl, Chandni, over hip city-dwellers. Set in fast-paced Mumbai, Chandni lands up in the city in search of her sister. Circumstances lead her to take up a job with India Calling, a leading call centre. The story takes us through Chandni's life at the call centre and her relationship with Aditya, its owner. Darna Mana Hai, India's first ever television extension of a Bollywood blockbuster, has a horror story every week, beginning Monday and climaxing on Thursday. The show's directors include Saurabh Shukla, Pawan Kaul, Saurabh Narang and Vivek Agnihotri. It is produced by K Sera Sera.

Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka on Star One

Ekta Kapoor is looking for a new face to be launched in a new show called Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka that will replace Nach Baliye on Star One. Reportedly, she is looking for a combo of Preity Zinta and Kajol. The Balaji team has been travelling to various cities around India to look for the perfect girl.

The show will begin in December when Nach Baliye will come to an end. According to sources, Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka will be a humourous show about a girl who is accident prone and always lands up in some tricky situation or the other. But what sets her apart is her sense of humour and a caring nature. The show will be divided into two seasons.

The first season will be aired till 105 episodes and the second season will start after three months. The chosen girl will undergo rigorous training and acting lessons. So, who's going to get lucky? Bet that's a question every girl vying for the position is wondering.

TV channels should do themselves a favour. They should stop the me-too syndrome right now. Every channel has its USP and it should remain within the given ambit of functioning.

I must admit that though it's a deviation for the channel, I immensely like Star One's Nach Baliye, their first big shot at winning over a sizeable audience. The programme is done with a great deal of panache . We don't get bored for even a split second watching these together couples whooping it up on stage with all they've got. And it isn't as if these well-known TV couples are great dancers. They just project that joie de vivre which makes their dancing skills or lack of it, so endearing and real.

I do feel Saroj Khan judges them too harshly at times. In the brilliantly done comedy episode, a couple was called 'crude.'

Arrey baba, funny dancing would by its very nature have to be a bit risqu! Why pick on these cute people who seem so much in love?

Cheer up guys

Posted online: Friday, November 04, 2005 at 0000 hours IST


It's supposed to be a fun and dance show but Nach Baliye is increasingly becoming a sob saga. Whether they are winning or losing, the stars are getting extremely emotional which is a little rattling for us. We wonder why after every performance Manini De has to cry as if it's the end of the world. Then there's Poonam Narula who's easily moved to tears whether she gets good points or not. Delnaz Paul, in the last episode cried so badly that we thought she and Rajiv and not Sai-Shakti Anand, were ousted. Rajeshwari Sachdev became emotional when Saroj Khan handed her a token of appreciation for her brilliant performance, Shilpa Saklani was howling for her broken tooth (understandable, though disturbing) and Supriya too couldn't hold back her tears when the results were announced. Come on guys, lighten up. Dance is supposed to relax and shake your blues away...

Star One launches two shows Buys rights for Desperate Housewives

Chaya Unnikrishnan
Posted online: Friday, November 04, 2005 at 0000 hours IST


Star One was the first to introduce the concept of a marathon run for a serial. Weekly comedies like Saarabhai Vs Saarabhai and Instant Khichdi were aired throughout the day, every Sunday drawing viewers in considerable numbers. Pitched at the upmarket, urban and young audience aged between 15-34, Star One didn't take long to connect with its target audience. Remix, a youth-oriented serial is a big hit amongst the youngsters. According to the producer, Shristi Arya, "Kids have put up a site on the internet Remix gang which follows the happenings in Tia, Anvesha and Ranvir's lives."

But it was with The Great Indian Laughter Challenge (TGLC) which cut across age groups and class that the channel created deep pockets. The laugh-riot grabbed eye-balls luring audiences away from Sony and Zee. According to a channel official, Sony was strong on Fridays but TGLC has decimitated its competitiors. The laughter show opened with a 2.7 TVR and went on to garner a high of 13.5.

Their latest talent-hunt Nach Baliye, the celebrity dance competition, is giving the other channels a run for the TRPs. The show opened with a bang, garnering 4.8 TVR "the highest ever for a non-Star Plus show" and is expected to soar.

With the success of TGLC and Nach Baliye, the channel is also changing its profile. No longer will it be restricted to the ABC class in the 15-34 age group. "We want to broad base the channel and make it an alternative to Star Plus," says Sameer Nair, COO, Star India. So, you have a mix of Jassi and Kareena in their new show India Calling and a spine-chiller in Darna Mana Hai premiering on Novembver 14. The spooky promos promise to keep you on-the-edge-of-seat.

India Calling traces the life of a young attractive girl Chandni who comes from Jalandhar to Mumbai in search of her sister and lands up working in a call centre. Says Shristi Arya, producer, "Despite what people think, the serial has no similarity whatsoever with either Jassi ... or Kareena .... All the same, I feel flattered because Jassi... will go down in the history of Indian television as a show that introduced a new genre. India Calling is set in a urban centre and revolves around a Punjabi girl simply because that is the ethos and culture I understand very well." India Calling has Manasi Parekh, Jo of Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi and Cookie of Kasauti Zindagi Ki, playing the protagonist. Vipul Gupta, a popular model, makes his debut as Aditya.

The other show Darna Mana Hai according to Kacon Sethi, producer, is a fast-forward of the movie by the same name. "Though we haven't taken any stories from the film, the philosophy is the same. It is about creating fear and fearful situations without blood and gore." The show, according to her, will redefine horror on Indian television. To be directed by the likes of Saurabh Shukla, Vivek Agnihotri and Pawan Kaul, each story will be stretched over four episodes. The first story has Rajeshwari Sachdev and Rajesh Tandon in the lead. The other episodes will star Vijay Raaz, Aamir Bashir and Jugal Hansraj. "The casting is unusual. As in the series, expect the unexpected," says Sethi.

With the launch of new shows, the channel which completes one year is rescheduling its programming line-up. Super Sale will be aired at 8.30 pm while Siddhant and Special Squad go off the air to make way for India Calling - Monday-Wednesday at 9.30 pm followed by Darna Mana Hai at 10 pm Monday to Thursday.

The new arrivals will also lead to heavy cross-promotion of shows aired on Star Plus and Star One which the channel had avoided so far.

January will see the second season of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge with the winners of the first one becoming the jury. The channel has also bought the rights for Desperate Housewives, the desi version of which will be made by Ekta Kapoor. Incidentally, she is already making a soap for Star One.

With shows no longer targetted at a specific audience and new genres being introduced, one wonders whether there will be any difference at all, between Star Plus and Star One. Says Nair, "In theory, the shows on Star One will not be similar to Star Plus. The Star One shows will take the drama out of the house."