Posts tagged rajan shahi

Iconic characters on television are dead?

0
6 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Seema Sinha (BOMBAY TIMES; November 8, 2012)

 

Years may have passed since they last appeared on screen, but some television characters are still fresh in public memory. They have become iconic and we remember them only by their screen names. Here are some examples: Khopdi (Nukkad), Basesar, Nanhe and Chhutki (Hum Log) and Lajoji (Buniyaad) in the 80s’; Mihir and Tulsi Virani (Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi), Parvati (Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii) and Prerna and Rishabh Bajaj (Kasautii Zindagii Kay) in the recent past.

“Even after a decade, people still call me Mihir Virani,” says Amar Upadhyay, who played the role. But how many telly characters today have made such an impact? Well, not many.

Samir Soni may be a popular face, particularly after his appearance on Bigg Boss last season, but his character, Kunal, in Parichay Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka, hasn’t established an identity even after a year. “These days, we have more drama-driven shows rather than character-driven ones. One fine day, there is a 20-year time leap, but even the clothes do not change. Anything happens. The mother looks younger than the daughter. The audience can’t relate to such characters and forget their names,” says Samir.

Agrees producer Rajan Shahi, “In most cases, the characters, their looks, acting style and costumes are similar. When you cannot differentiate, there is no recall value. Today, we don’t discuss characters.” Anas Rashid, who plays Sooraj in Diya Aur Baati Hum, says, “We are killing More >

Telefilms set to make a comeback

0
10 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; July 27, 2012)

Dimple Jhangiani

Star Plus, which had a successful run of its Star Bestsellers years ago, is all set to bring back the concept, albeit in a different format. Slotted as telefilms, each one will be of one-and-a-half hour duration and will probably be a weekend fare. The films will basically be love stories to be showcased under the block Teri Meri Love Stories.

The channel has commissioned established TV producers to make the telefilms. These include Rajan Shahi, Yash Patnaik, Pearl Grey, Neeraj Sachdev and Hemal Thakkar. While Rajan has already finished shooting his film, the others are still to lock in the cast and finalise the location for their story. A source informs that Rajan’s film is slated to be aired first.

When contacted, Rajan confirmed that he has shot a telefilm and that it is based in Pataudi. In fact his unit has just returned from Pataudi after shooting continuously for 14 days. When asked if the location had anything to do with actors Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan’s impending wedding, Rajan denied it. “I just thought Pataudi was the perfect backdrop for the beautiful love story. We have also shot in Delhi and Mumbai,” he said. His film stars Gautam Rode, Vishal Punjabi, Dimple Jhangiani and the lead girl is being played by a newcomer Mala. Yash Patnaik’sslice-of-life romcom based in Delhi has so far only Sahil Chhada confirmed do a pivotal role. The producer is looking out for the lead couple. The More >

TRPs definitely make difference-Rajan Shahi

0
1 year ago
by Fenil Seta in
Prerna Arora | MM Online Bureau (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 03, 2011)

He started his career 18 years ago as an associate to Ravi Rai. Through the years, he’s risen from production boy to assistant to lead director and producer of many popular TV shows.  After setting up the ground-breaking show Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Rajan Shahi launched his own production house and now is the creator of famous shows like Sapnaa Baabul Ki Bidaai, Chand Chupa Badal Mein and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

Which, according to you, are the most important milestones of your TV career?

I think first important milestone was to be groomed under Ravi Rai as a director and to work on shows such as Sailab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai as an associate director. These shows had different sensibilities and set the trend for shows like Bade Ache Lagte Hain for example. Another milestone I would say was when I directed my first daily soap Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin which also went on to be an iconic show. But my biggest achievement was when I launched my own production house, Director’s Kut Productions. The first show launched under the banner was Bidaai which was responsible for launching new stars and also comebacks.

You are a producer, but you have been known to sit in the director’s chair on occasion. How do you balance both the roles?

Initially I was involved in the creative part of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. I didn’t physically direct anything but yes I was monitoring the scripts, the cast, More >

What’s marriage got to do with TRPs?

0
2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Lots! That’s exactly why this institution is exploited to the fullest on TV. And now there’s going to be a three-crore shaadi on a reality show

Roshni K Olivera | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; February 17, 2011)

If a TV serial is going through a lull, what does the production house do to give it a boost? Well, insert a marriage track, a sure shot way to boost Television Rating Points (TRPs). It’s been the practice since the past two years and it continues to work; in fact now, even more than ever before.

Pavitra Rishta zoomed up to the number one spot as soon as Manav and Archana tied the knot. Chaand Chupa Badal Mein, Pratha, Phulwa, Geet and Saathiya too had dramatic wedding sequences and there was Gulaal, where the protagonist married her kid devar (what could be more dramatic than that?) There are more marriages…

Sanskar Lakshmi and Tere Liye are all ready with band, baaja and baraat. Serial-makers don’t mind spending on their wedding tracks because they believe it’s worth it. As producer-director Rajan Shahi, who’s had lavish weddings in his serials like Bidaai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, says, “Marriage always sells on TV. People connect with the festivity and emotions involved.” Serials apart, reality shows too continue to feed audiences the shaadi ka laddoo, and the stakes here are only getting higher. Teen Crore Ki Shaadi is an upcoming reality show, where a real life couple planning to tie the knot will be chosen and More >

Bidaai: Bidding goodbye while on a high!

1
2 years ago
by Fenil Seta in

Top serial going off air… channel has a reason

Roshni K Olivera | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2010)

It’s never happened before in the history of Indian television that a serial doing well and garnering high television rating points (TRPs) is going off air. But Star Plus is set to bring in a new wave, as it draws the curtains on Sapna Babul Ka Bidaai and ushers in a new show Gulaal, to start on November 15. Bidaai has had a great run over past three years, being number one on the TRP charts, and the decision to wrap it up was tough, admits CEO of Star India, Uday Shankar.

But there’s a positive thought behind it. Reveals Shankar, “We want to leave fond memories in our viewers’ minds. They watched this show because they were emotionally connected with it, not out of sheer habit. We believe that a show doing well should not be the reason for it continuing. If we don’t have an interesting dimension to carry on, then we should have a dignified exit. People should be wondering why, rather than why not.”

He promises a grand bidaai for this show with a two-hour special mahaepisode tonight from 7 to 9 pm. “It’s truly an iconic show and deserves a dignified farewell,” Shankar adds.

Producer-director Rajan Shahi is upbeat, too. “Bidaai has not only given a strong foundation, recognition and a fresh lease to everyone associated with it, it has truly become a landmark, a trademark and a benchmark in every sense. The channel and I agreed that More >

Big stars! What about TRPs?

0
3 years ago
by Fenil Seta in
IN TELLYLAND: Shah Rukh Khan, AkshayKumar and (top) Rani Mukerji with guest Shahid Kapoor, Salman Khan and Karisma Kapur on their TV shows

How worthwhile has it been for channels putting Bollywood stars on TV?

ROSHNI K OLIVERA Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 4, 2010)

Abhishek Bachchan is stepping into his father’s shoes by hosting a game show on TV. What prompted Bachchan Jr. to give a nod to the small screen? Was it a lucrative offer? Perhaps, because it’s money that draws film stars to television. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Rani Mukerji, Karisma Kapur… the list is endless of Bollywood stars who made the big crossover.

Akshay, reports said, was paid a whopping Rs 2.5 crore per episode to host the second season of Khatron ke Khiladi. And Salman Khan was apparently given Rs 89 crore for the first season of Dus Ka Dum! It’s big money all right for the stars, but is it worthwhile for the channels to shell out such big bucks for the star value?

Statistics prove that shows with Bollywood stars have never topped the overall Television Rating Points (TRP) charts. Only Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati, that changed the face of Indian television years ago, saw TRP success. All other shows hosted or judged by stars have raked in average or dismal TRPs. Yes, there is a fair amount of curiosity and people are bound to watch the show at least once for the star’s sake, but after that it’s content that sells. Meanwhile, TV actors are unhappy More >

Go to Top