Earshot — Calling it quits

True to its name

Whatever the serial may be, whether a daily soap or a mythological, launch parties are always free-flowing with booze and a glutton’s paradise. The opinions of the gods about whom the serials are often made are rarely solicited. But the makers of Tirupati Balaji, decided otherwise. Their launch party was a subdued affair with no hard liquor and not even non-vegetarian food.

Image change

Sony TV is all out to refurbish it’s image and build on the successful formula employed by Zee TV. Its comedy Dekh Tamasha Dekh directed by Sanjay Chhel is being presented in a new format and is being presented by new anchors, Razak Khan and Delnaz Irani. This entertaining comedy is the brainchild of Chhel who has written films like Rangeela, Pehla Nasha and Yes Boss.

Tennis trivia

Martina Navratilova, the great tennis champ was in conversation with Vijay Amritraj on STAR Sports. Amritraj has nothing better to do than talk to stars since monsoon clouds hit Wimbledon. Navratilova revealed her sense of relief at no longer playing competitive tennis. She described how when she was still playing she was superstitious and made a point of entering Heathrow Airport only through gates Nos 7,9 and 18. This time too she got lucky passing through gate No.7. Then she remembered that she didn’t need any luck since she wasn’t playing Wimbledon this year. Navratilova also admitted to loving Indian food. Favourite dish? Bhindi bhaji. “I’m a vegetarian,” she told a visibly astonished Amitraj.

Agony ape!

This monkey should get into business. The serial Raja Aur Rancho has got an extension of another 52 episodes. And the producers are, hold your breath, thinking of starting an agony aunt column this time, the wise chap with all the answers will be the monkey. Also plans are afoot to start a Rancho fan club where winners of contests will get to spend a day with the ape. Who says monkey business does not pay off?

State talk

Director and music maestro Bhupen Hazarika is making his dream serial, The Misty Lands of the Seven Sisters: Northeast India. This 13-part teleserial, has been commissioned by Mandi House. Simultaneously, he is also making the first ever telefilm for Star TV, called Jagaran.

Kalpana Lajmi is the script-writer and co-director of both the projects.“Very little has been done for the underdeveloped north-east and its people. Neglected over the years, these states need a fresh evaluation. Their voice has to be heard, their aspirations need to be realized,” says Hazarika. The serial will be ready by September.

Small S, big b-like plans

Shekhar Suman, the Telly-Bachchan, seems to be taking his comparison to Big B quite seriously. Like ABCL, he too has established a production house and events management company. But fortunately it is not called SSCL. The name is Nuances Communications. The first event the company is organising is, predictably, a beauty pageant. Nuances will kick off activities by hosting the Miss India Worldwide pageant in Mumbai in September "We’ll be doing TV coverage of this event which will be managed by us," explains Suman.The programme is slated for DD. The company also plans to make ads and corporate films. Wonder if it will go the ABCL way and land Suman with bounced cheques and bad vouchers.

Troubled times

Over 2000 hours of programming in nine different languages so far. Third largest production house and largest in the media marketing business. And yet, it appears Harish Thawani’s Nimbus is in trouble. Last week 12 from the top managerial level were given one month’s notice. The reason given was that the company had to cut down on expenditure due to a tight market position. Wonder what is happening at the smaller places.

Tailpiece

Mukesh Khanna must have some strong connections in Mandi House. If rumours are to be believed, he has managed to get his new serial, Deevare, approved without even submitting a pilot. And what’s more, the serial will be of 1200 episodes!