No extension to DD serials, asserts Gill

Television producer Sanjay Khan, whose Jai Hanuman was refused extension, recently accused Gill of being against Hindu mythology.

Referring to the incident, Gill said Khan’s 52 stipulated episodes would be over this month and a letter followed by a reminder had been sent to him in February.

“But Khan was hopeful that I would go and his serial would get an extension,” Gill added.

According to Khan, his three serials – Sword of Tipu Sultan, The Great Maratha and Jai Hanuman have earned Doordarshan a revenue of Rs 75 crore.

Gill said it was not a question of quality of the programme but disturbing the programming and lining up of other serials done months in advance. Sticking tohis stand on discontinuing the practice of giving extension to serials, the Prasar Bharati chief executive said, “We are not giving extension to any serial as far as prime time is concerned.”

Asked if he had got any directions from the government regarding the content of programmes on Doordarshan, he said, “No, by now they know that I may not abide by them.” Gill, who will have to quit if the new Prasar Bharati Bill is passed in Parliament, said, “I will go when the Bill comes.”

He, however, reserved further comments on the Bill saying, “What can I say. It is very unpredictable.”