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Antariksh : STAR Plus goes sci-fi
STAR Plus is all set to launch a sci-fi show Antariksh from October 2. The show targetted at kids will air Monday Thursday at 8 pm. With a tag line ek amar katha jise chhote bhool na paayenge, bade sada dohraayenge, Antariksh is based on the age-old concept of war between good and evil, but the battles will take place in a galaxy far away in outer space. Produced by Ashim Samanta and Jyotin Goel under the banner Wild Fire Entertainment, the show promises amazing computer generated graphics created by Jyoti Sagar and Interactive Reality. The idea for the show was concieved by Jyotin who conveyed it to Ashim and together decided to produce it. "Ashim and I have grown up together and it was only right that I approach him," informs Jyotin who is a sci-fi fan and feels that this genre has not really been explored in India. "Though we've had Western shows depicting a futuristic world through shows like Star Trek this will be the first time we will be presenting a futuristic India and its culture ," he informs. The duo apporached STAR with the idea and they were more than willing to give it a try. "Actually they came to us two years ago but we couldn't do it then. Now, technology has grown in leaps and bounds and the idea seemed feasible," informs Deepak Segal, Executive VP, Content, STAR India Ltd. The basic plot of the serial, that of good vs evil is loosely based on Ramayan. "It's plot points are similar to those in the epic," avers Deepak. The story is about Amar, the eldest son of King Shylan who possesses qualities that make him completely fit to be Prithiv's next king. But before that he has to quell Rankaal who is spreading terror in Akashganga. The only one who can stop Rankaal is Amar. He is the chosen one. And the story is about how Amar is trained and equipped in real life situations so that he can match up to Rankaal's strength and also the various twists of destiny and events that take him on the path of his final confrontation with Rankaal. The series has everything a child can imagine from Rankaal's chamber equipped with all the systems and machinery of war to a snake tower which like a giant snake, stabs into the heart of Kaavran citizens. Says Jyotin, "As reference points for the chamber, tower and other tapestries we have sourced from Ramayan, other Indian and western folklore."
Though children are the primary targets, the serial intends to lure the entire family into viewing it with a love story, family values and adventure. As Jyotin puts it, it is three-dimensional. Now, whether it gets lost in space or makes a place in the viewers' mind space is something we've to wait and watch. Saathi Re : Torn between love and duty
Touted as an intense family drama, Saathi Re premieres this October on STAR One. It is the story of Suman, a dutiful daughter, a loving sister, beautiful, traditional and confident. In short, the ideal Indian girl. Her world is her small family with their middle class lifestyle and idiosyncrasies. This little world of Suman would have been perfect if it were not for her recurring nightmares which leave her distraught every time and bring her bad luck! As the story progresses it is learnt that her nightmares have a greater significance in her life... For Parakh Madan who makes her television debut with the serial, the role is challenging and exciting. But unlike Suman, Parakh is a girl who has a mind of her own and "not at all docile". Actually, the role is completely in contrast with her nature. "In real life, I am this restless, pampered, naughty girl. I am most comfortable in jeans, skirts and T-shirts while Suman never gets out of the salwar kameezs," she laughs. Suman is the kind of girl who abides by her parent's wishes and faces a dilemma when she falls in love with Prem (Arjun Punjj), whom her folks oppose and get married off to Rajeev. "It is a story of love, duty and sacrifices," surmises Parakh who will be also be seen in Jai Santoshi Maa releasing this Friday. She plays the second lead in the film. Parakh is a classical Kathak dancer trained under Birju Maharaj. She made her first trip to Mumbai for a magazine's cover shoot and since then has been a frequent visitor. But this time she has stayed put what with a film and a serial happening simultaneously. "I want to give my best to the serial and also learn as much as I can from the director and my co-actors," she says earnestly. Already she has won brownie points from Arjun who says that the most important thing for a newcomer is that he/she should be focussed "which Parakh is". Arjun who opted out of Woh Rehnewali Mehlon Ki because he didn't want to grey his hair jumped at his role in Saathi Re. "Prem is a today's guy who wears sports and denim jackets. At the same time there is some goodness in him," says the actor who has played similar roles earlier but promises to give this a different look and approach. Prem is shown to be orphan who is brought up by his aunt. He is ambitious yet eternally romantic, an extremist in his beliefs yet courageous enough to stand by them. He is a short tempered guy who is out to prove a point and carve an identity for himself in the world. Most importantly, he is in love with Suman. Arjun, who is rehearsing for Nach Baliye 2, is looking forward to both the shows coming on air around the same time. NB2 will start airing from September 25 while Saathi Re starts from next month. "Already I am finding it very tiring. The rehearsals sap your energy completely and are time-consuming. But it is exciting too 'cause I can spend a lot of time with Gurdip," he quips. The other man in Suman's life, Rajeev, is being played by Amir Dalvi. He is the 'Ram' of the family; sensitive, big-hearted, dotes on his siblings yet sophisticated and broadminded with a charming personality. As the eldest son of the family, he believes in treating everybody with respect but has a naive quality of believing people around him. Armed with an MBA degree, he takes responsibility of everyone in the family and becomes the son in Suman's father's life.
STAR Plus is all set to launch a sci-fi show Antariksh from October 2. The show targetted at kids will air Monday Thursday at 8 pm. With a tag line ek amar katha jise chhote bhool na paayenge, bade sada dohraayenge, Antariksh is based on the age-old concept of war between good and evil, but the battles will take place in a galaxy far away in outer space. Produced by Ashim Samanta and Jyotin Goel under the banner Wild Fire Entertainment, the show promises amazing computer generated graphics created by Jyoti Sagar and Interactive Reality. The idea for the show was concieved by Jyotin who conveyed it to Ashim and together decided to produce it. "Ashim and I have grown up together and it was only right that I approach him," informs Jyotin who is a sci-fi fan and feels that this genre has not really been explored in India. "Though we've had Western shows depicting a futuristic world through shows like Star Trek this will be the first time we will be presenting a futuristic India and its culture ," he informs. The duo apporached STAR with the idea and they were more than willing to give it a try. "Actually they came to us two years ago but we couldn't do it then. Now, technology has grown in leaps and bounds and the idea seemed feasible," informs Deepak Segal, Executive VP, Content, STAR India Ltd. The basic plot of the serial, that of good vs evil is loosely based on Ramayan. "It's plot points are similar to those in the epic," avers Deepak. The story is about Amar, the eldest son of King Shylan who possesses qualities that make him completely fit to be Prithiv's next king. But before that he has to quell Rankaal who is spreading terror in Akashganga. The only one who can stop Rankaal is Amar. He is the chosen one. And the story is about how Amar is trained and equipped in real life situations so that he can match up to Rankaal's strength and also the various twists of destiny and events that take him on the path of his final confrontation with Rankaal. The series has everything a child can imagine from Rankaal's chamber equipped with all the systems and machinery of war to a snake tower which like a giant snake, stabs into the heart of Kaavran citizens. Says Jyotin, "As reference points for the chamber, tower and other tapestries we have sourced from Ramayan, other Indian and western folklore."
Touted as an intense family drama, Saathi Re premieres this October on STAR One. It is the story of Suman, a dutiful daughter, a loving sister, beautiful, traditional and confident. In short, the ideal Indian girl. Her world is her small family with their middle class lifestyle and idiosyncrasies. This little world of Suman would have been perfect if it were not for her recurring nightmares which leave her distraught every time and bring her bad luck! As the story progresses it is learnt that her nightmares have a greater significance in her life... For Parakh Madan who makes her television debut with the serial, the role is challenging and exciting. But unlike Suman, Parakh is a girl who has a mind of her own and "not at all docile". Actually, the role is completely in contrast with her nature. "In real life, I am this restless, pampered, naughty girl. I am most comfortable in jeans, skirts and T-shirts while Suman never gets out of the salwar kameezs," she laughs. Suman is the kind of girl who abides by her parent's wishes and faces a dilemma when she falls in love with Prem (Arjun Punjj), whom her folks oppose and get married off to Rajeev. "It is a story of love, duty and sacrifices," surmises Parakh who will be also be seen in Jai Santoshi Maa releasing this Friday. She plays the second lead in the film. Parakh is a classical Kathak dancer trained under Birju Maharaj. She made her first trip to Mumbai for a magazine's cover shoot and since then has been a frequent visitor. But this time she has stayed put what with a film and a serial happening simultaneously. "I want to give my best to the serial and also learn as much as I can from the director and my co-actors," she says earnestly. Already she has won brownie points from Arjun who says that the most important thing for a newcomer is that he/she should be focussed "which Parakh is". Arjun who opted out of Woh Rehnewali Mehlon Ki because he didn't want to grey his hair jumped at his role in Saathi Re. "Prem is a today's guy who wears sports and denim jackets. At the same time there is some goodness in him," says the actor who has played similar roles earlier but promises to give this a different look and approach. Prem is shown to be orphan who is brought up by his aunt. He is ambitious yet eternally romantic, an extremist in his beliefs yet courageous enough to stand by them. He is a short tempered guy who is out to prove a point and carve an identity for himself in the world. Most importantly, he is in love with Suman. Arjun, who is rehearsing for Nach Baliye 2, is looking forward to both the shows coming on air around the same time. NB2 will start airing from September 25 while Saathi Re starts from next month. "Already I am finding it very tiring. The rehearsals sap your energy completely and are time-consuming. But it is exciting too 'cause I can spend a lot of time with Gurdip," he quips. The other man in Suman's life, Rajeev, is being played by Amir Dalvi. He is the 'Ram' of the family; sensitive, big-hearted, dotes on his siblings yet sophisticated and broadminded with a charming personality. As the eldest son of the family, he believes in treating everybody with respect but has a naive quality of believing people around him. Armed with an MBA degree, he takes responsibility of everyone in the family and becomes the son in Suman's father's life.
For Amir, the role was a welcome change from his negative character in Jab Love Hua. "Usually when you play the bad man once, you tend to get typecast, so when this offer came to me I jumped at it," he grins. Amir who has done several serials in the past beginning with Nyay, Kabhi Aaye Na Judaai and Awaaz to name a few feels Saathi Re will be by far his best. The other actors in the cast include Kiran Karmarkar and Neena Gupta.
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