'Vaidehi' replaces 'Jassi' on Sony

Mumbai - Missing Jassi? Still think Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin? Well, Sony has found new ways of weaning Jassi addicts away from the weeknight fix. Two new serials, produced by two of the most reputed software makers, have been roped in to do the needful.

Beginning June 5, every Monday night at 10 p.m., Aroona Irani, who has had massive success with soaps like 'Des Main Nikla Hoga Chand' on STAR Plus and 'Mehndi Rang Layegi' on Zee, brings to Sony a new woman-oriented melodrama called 'Vaidehi'.

The other Jassi-replacement, this one for Tuesday nights beginning June 13, is 'Man Main Hai Vishwas' produced by veteran software churner Dheeraj Kumar.

According to Sony sources, Aroona hopes to eradicate the slur of a flop show 'Rabba Ishq Na Hove' on Zee with 'Vaidehi' on the rival channel.

Interestingly, Aroona has moved away from her favourite leading lady Sangeeta Ghosh, who is apparently busy with Ravi Chopra's 'Viraasat' to go on STAR Plus in June, to cast Pallavi Kulkarni, the leading lady of STAR's now-defunct 'Kehta Hai Dil', in the title role of Vaidehi.

Sachin Sharma, who played Krishna in STAR Plus' 'Kahanii Ghar Ghar Ki' will co-star with Pallavi.

'The failure of Aroonaji's last serial has left her shell-shocked. She has had almost cent-percent success on television before 'Rabba Ishq Na Hove'. She is more determined than ever to bounce back with 'Vaidehi',' a Sony source told IANS.

As for 'Man Main Hai Vishwas', actor-turned-TV producer Kumar goes back a long way on the home medium. He has produced successful soaps like 'Sansar' and some mythological serials for Doordarshan. This time on Sony, Kumar is bringing an entirely new experience.

'Man Main Hai Vishwas' will feature a series of stories on the supernatural experiences of ordinary people.

'We have had great success with outright horror shows like 'Aahat' and also with thrillers like 'CID'. But this is the first time that we are doing a straight-on take on supernatural experiences and human faith in inexplicable phenomenon,' said the source.

It is interesting to note that decades ago such shows propagating occult-supernatural experiences were banned on national television. Today, the scenario on satellite television is such that every genre of software is welcome.

With Aroona's 'Vaidehi' and Kumar's 'Man Main Hai Vishwas' occupying Sony's prestigious slot vacated by 'Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin', it is time for the channel to cross its fingers and hope the substitutes work.

'It's always tough to replace a long-running addictive soap. We hope Aroonaji and Dheerajji - with their long experience on the home medium - will divert audiences' attention into the new experience.'

Two other major serials will come on air shortly to occupy the Wednesday and Thursday primetime slots vacated by 'Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin'.