Earshot

Festive moodsWith the festive season approaching, nobody could be happier than the breed of producers and directors. Festivals give them ...

Festive moods
With the festive season approaching, nobody could be happier than the breed of producers and directors. Festivals give them a wonderful opportunity to spice up their serials. Among the first one to cash in is producer Rahul Sinha of Vision Channel. He is making an episode of Rishtey 8212; Love Stories Zee and is using Raksha Bandhan as the theme. The story revolves around the relation between a brother and sister in a 8220;contemprory scenario8221;.

Predictably, the episode is called Bandhan Kacche Dhogon Ka with Pankaj Dheer and Bhairavi playing the lead roles. For real Ajay Sinha of Hasratein claims that he does not believe in compromises, and recently proved it. When lead characters Savi and KT were shown going to a hill station for a holiday, Sinha actually took them on one. Instead of the usual practice of shooting at Film City or other outdoor studios, he shot at a place called Silent Resort on the Gujarat highway. Also, in a scene where union workers break windows, he actually had them break the glasses of the bungalow where the team was shooting. What8217;s more, he booked the place for an additional three days, so that the shoot could be completed amid broken glasses. Of course, he later had them replaced and the place cleaned up. 8220;There is a cinematic language that you have to go by. Only conviction succeeds,8221; he says.

Mystery mind
Shahab Shamshi, who has directed episodes of Philips Top 10 and Satya on Home TV, is elated with the success of his serial X Zone, which is not even a month old is already in top four slot. The rumor is that X Zone was produced for the sole purpose of pitting it against Aahat on Sony, and is nothing more than a clone. But Shamshi refutes the buzz and says that his serial is a class apart: 8220;Unlike other thrillers, X Zone deal with the psychological aspect of crime. Mystery that invigorates your mind, and substance that provokes thought8230;8221;!!

I and me
Joining the ever lengthning queue of actors perching themselves behind the camera, is Rohit Roy of Swabhimaan fame. He will be the episode director of a new sitcom for Zee TV, based on the English serial, Friends. Says Roy, 8220;I am not switching to direction. It is just a good opportunity to try something different, and it is great fun8230;8221; But Roy spoils the effect by immediately launching into cliches that would make even seasoned directors and producers turn green with envy. 8220;8230;It would be the most expensive sitcom ever made and classiest comedy ever seen. It would8230;8221; Oh yeah?

Money sings
What is the best way to cash in on the success of your shows, especially if they are music-based? The answer 8212; according to Gajendra Singh of Antakshari and Saregama on Zee TV 8212; is to release music albums! The cassette is called Saregama and has eight 8220;original8221; numbers sung by participants on Saregama, with music by Vishal Bharadwaj of Maachis fame. And in keeping with the trend, Singh is also producing a music video to promote the album.

Comeback
Sachin, the producer-director of Tu Tu Main Main and Ek Do Teen on Star Plus, is back with a new project. Called Hadh Kar Di, the alluring aspect of the serial is that Dara Singh returns to the small screen after a long gap, that too in the comedy role of a retired postmaster. The serial also stars Mahesh Thakur, Rita Bhaduri and Sachin himself.