Makeover time for SAB TV-LRL

Barely two months after the launch of Twinkle Beauty Parlour SAB TV has decided to give the show a makeover by terminating the services of all the lead actors of the serial, except Narayani Shastri and producer Shrishti Arya's mother-in-law Sulbha Arya.

Call it makeover, downsizing or cost-cutting it is clear that the serial's low TRP is the main reason for showing the door to Maninee Mishra, Smita Bansal, Simple Kaul, Rajeev Paul and others. While the actors are shocked, the channel is no mood to relent. "Since we are revamping the serial and the story is moving on to a different track some of the actors had to be rested. Instead new characters will walk into the beauty parlour and depending on the story's demand the outgoing characters may or may not come back," says SAB TV's programming vice-president Priya Mishra.

Priya blames the producer for not informing the actors well in advance about the changes in the serial. However, actor Rajeev Paul opines, "Under the contract our dates were blocked for one year. How can they throw us out suddenly when we have refused other work because of our commitment to Twinkle Beauty Parlour?" Asks Simple Kaul, "My career and financial plans have been badly affected. I refused three shows because I didn't want to take on extra work. Now what am I supposed to do till the next offer comes my way?"

The downsizing or revamping of Twinkle Beauty Parlour is apparently a part of SAB's strategy to give the channel a complete makeover from July 10 with the launch of Left Right Left, a youth-based show set against the backdrop of an army academy that deals with the hopes and aspirations of the youth. "By 2010, two-third of India's population will be less than 30 years of age. Majority of the population will be in small towns and cities. Our target audience is going to be the young India living in one million-plus towns and cities as our programming will address to their issues and concerns in life," reveals the channel's programming head.

And Left Right Left is a precursor to the channel's future programming. "Saas-bahu sagas are passe. Love and romance is also done with. In any case romance is not the major concern of today's youth. It is one of the things in their lives. They are more concerned about other issues," says Priya.

Thus SAB TV that was till recently 24x7 comedy channel will become a general entertainment channel with a difference. Comedy is not being ignored completely though. Comedy shows will be slotted in the 8.30 to 9 pm band. Besides the downsized Twinkle Beauty Parlour and Left Right Left the channel is planning to launch two more fictional and format shows each.

"Ever since Sony took over SAB a year ago our TRPs have increased from 10 to 40. With our new programming we are confident of taking the number to 100 and beyond to be among the top four general entertainment channels," says the SAB's programming head confidently.