Earshot — Chandigarh

London calling
Sanjeev Bhattacharya is in high spirits these days. His 47-episode old Amaanat on Zee TV is completing one year and he has been granted an extension for another 52 episodes. But the icing on the cake has been that the channel — apparently happy with the popularity of the serial — has decided to shoot a few episodes at Southall, in London. Bhattacharya will fly with his unit for the shoot in August.

New coupling
Archana Puran Singh and her directorial debut with Jaane Bhi Do Paro has so impressed Cinevista’s Prem Kishen and Sunil Mehta, that they have offered her a countdown show called Nehle Pe Dehla, which Singh will direct and anchor with hubby Parmeet Sethi. The programme will be a mix of Hindi pop and film music, and is to be telecast on DD1, reportedly replacing Jai Hanuman on Tuesdays.

Third time…?
UTV’s new sitcom Didi Ka Dulha, which premiered on DD2, last Wednesday, is reportedly banking heavily on yesteryear star Bhagyashree to draw in the viewers. But the confidence may be misplaced, given her track record. Her debut serial, Samjhauta, on DD2 folded up after 17 episodes. It was revived on Zee as Andhi Zasbaaton Ki, only to disappear after 30 episodes. We hope that she does not prove to be third time unlucky!

Prime of life
The long wait for a prime time slot is finally over for Himesh Reshamiyya. His new soap Jaan will premiere on July 24 (Zee) in place of Mujhe Chand Chahiye. To ensure a lively pace, Reshamiyya has packed his serial with over 25 major characters. Actors who figure on that list include Shabaaz Khan, Sonu Walia, Neena Gupta, Vijendra Ghatge, Sudesh Berry in a double role…, and the serial will be directed by his favourite, Arun Frank. Says Reshamiyya: "It is an emotional love story where the focus is less on drama and more on emotions."

Major mistake
Speaking of Shabaaz Khan, the Betaal Pachisi hero is in a bit of a spot, these days. He has been flooded with calls from irate fans complaining about his role in the movie, Major Saab. They insist that he should have never accepted the insignificant role of Mohan Joshi’s son, which is only a little better than two-bit parts played by junior artistes. But Shabaaz insists that the role was a dream come true, "I can’t explain to everyone that I am a major fan of Amitabh, right from childhood. Even if I have to only stand in a frame with him, I don’t mind."

What a relief
Shekhar Suman is taking a two-day break from his busy schedule, but this time for a noble cause. He is off to Surat — with other film and TV stars like Anu Malik, Kumar Sanu and Seema Kapoor — to perform in a live show. The proceeds will go to the chief minister’s relief fund for the cyclone-hit victims of Gujarat. And reportedly, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel has arranged to fly the stars in his own chartered plane. Quips Suman, "Let people know that actors have not just surat (face), but also seerat (conscience)."