Balaji back on Zee with two shows

Balaji back on Zee with two shows

Televisionpoint.com Team
Balaji Telefilms is back on Zee TV, after two years. The last serial of Balaji was 'Kammal', which ended in 2003. The production house is bringing two new serials, 'Hum Paanch' and a melodrama 'Kaanch' by early September. Hum Paanch was aired on Zee TV between 1995 and 2000, and is returning after a gap phase of five years.

According to Ekta Kapoor, Creative Head, Balaji Telefilms, the reason for bringing 'Hum Paanch' is its immense popularity and public demand. 'Hum Paanch', will be the only Balaji Serial today not to have a K-factor and the entire old cast will remain same, except 1 or 2 makeovers.

Ashok Saraf and Shoma Anand will play the leading Anand and Beena Mathur. Their Five daughters will be played by Rakhee Tandon, Vandana Pathak, and Bhairavi Raichura. Amita Nangia, who played the fourth daughter, will be replaced by a new actress. The character of Chulbuli Chhoti will be played by the same Priyanka, today she is a journalist by profession.

On the other hand, 'Kaanch' will be a daily soap. Balaji is taking auditions for the soap, we hear that Kumar Gaurav has turned down the lead roles in soap, apparently over money issues. Actor Mohnish Behl has almost been finalised for the role originally offered to Gaurav. Ekta says, "We had approached Kumar Gaurav for the role, but it didn't work out due to money issues."

Gaurav, whose Love Story remains his only big hit, isn't too forthcoming on the issue, he says "It's my personal choice. Right now, I'm not interested in doing any serial." Sources say the actor asked for RS 30,000 per episode, but the Balaji Telefilms budget didn't allow that kind of fee.