TV's new tidings

A handful of new launches in the last week of December are an indication of which way television is going with its content. Edgy passionate stories ( Rangrasiya, Main Na Bhoolungi), unconventional soaps (Ek Nayee Pehchaan, Beintehaa) and fantasy drama (Hatim), the medium promises to take you on an adventurous ride this year.

The unconventional
Ashutosh Gowariker returns to TV after CID. as a producer of fiction show based on adventure.
Amitabh Bachchan’s foray into TV with a yet-to-be-titled show is set to attract eyeballs. The serial, which will see him playing a construction magnate, got delayed and will be aired after his wife Jaya’s debut TV show.

All eyes will be on Jaya’s untitled fiction show that will see her playing a single parent to three sons. It is about woman empowerment.

A yet-to-be-titled serial based on the airline industry is being readied for Star Plus. The serial, a new-age love story, will have both the male and female leads playing pilots. Sources say that Tulip Joshi (Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai fame) and VJ Yudhishtir will be seen in the lead roles.

Poonam Dhillon’s Ek Nayee Pehchaan that went on air in the last week of December is about a mother-in-law learning English from her daughter-in-law. Though a saas-bahu soap, the serial is definitely not the usual family drama.

The newly launched Beintehaa has an unusual story about two indivduals entering matrimony against their wishes. Freshers Preetika Rao (Amrita’s sister) and model-turned-actor Harshad Chopra are the draw.

Laughter challenge
One show that will be keenly looked for will be Sunil Grover’s. Having quit Comedy Nights With Kapil to host his own show, Sunil has the challenge of being one-up on Kapil Sharma! His show is slated to go on air in February.

Much-awaited season 2
Aamir Khan’ Satyamev Jayate, which he gave a miss last year due to Dhoom 3, will be back in 2014 . The show had raised the doctors’ ire after doing an expose on medical malpractices. It had tackled issues like female infanticide, rape and child abuse. In the second season it will apparently feature positive initiatives like the UP Police helpline office in Lucknow which is manned by women.

Reality bytes
This is one genre where the tried and tested formula is only being used. The year begins with the return of reality shows India’s Got Talent and Dance India Dance Li’l Masters. Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi which was given a miss last year will be back in the early quarter of the year with Rohit Shetty as the host. Speculations are rife that Dus Ka Dum will make a comeback with Salman Khan as the host after a gap of four years. Others expected to have fresh seasons include Indian Idol and KBC.

Edgy shows
The just launched Rangrasiya is a love story between a heartless soldier Rudra (Ashish Sharma) and the beautiful, sensitive Paro (Sanaya Irani). The drama has begun with the first episode itself, keeping you on the edge about when and how the hatred will turn into love. Can’t wait for this one to unfold.

Main Na Bhoolungi is another thriller packaged in a regular daily soap. The story has started with a flashback. Outwardly, everything seems to be fine between a married couple —the nerdy Shikha and businessman Sameer. But beneath the lovey dovey exterior, the husband is fantasising about killing his wife in various ways! The serial on the lines of Khoon Bhari Maang has the wife coming back from the dead replete with a makeover and plotting revenge! Aishwarya Sakhuja in a completely different avatar along with Vikas Manaktala star in this suspense drama.

Ishq Kills is an upcoming show and as the name suggests, it will not have anything to do with mushy romance. An episodic series, it will be more about the ugly side of love bordering on obsession. In short, the serial will deal with crime of passion. Buzz is that Priyal Gor and Vineet Raina have been roped in for one of the episodes.

Gunahon Ka Devta 2 based on a book by the same name is a love story against a criminal background. The hero is a desi Robinhood, good for the poor, and bad for the evil guys. We have already sampled one adaptation that was aired on a now defunct channel Imagine. The new version will be directed by Ashwini Dhir and speculation is that Gurmeet Choudhary will essay the lead role.

The long-delayed serial Daag, loosely based on the international hit show Revenge, is a story of vendetta starring Vatsal Seth and Simon Singh. It was to go on air last year but  got pushed to this year. It is said to be a finite series.
 
Bhoot Bhage Dum Dabake is a comedy show but it is about two brothers being ghost-busters. Tiku Talsania stars in this edgy comedy show. Then there’s Badi Door Se Aaye Hain another comedy show, but this one’s about extra-terrestrials. An alien family sets out on a hunt for their son, who lands up on earth.

Romance in the air
Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya is a pure and unadulterated love story. The college-going girl Avni dreams about her Mr Right, has her head in the clouds and loves the idea of being in love! The chocolate-faced hero hates the concept of love. When the two meet, sparks fly. While the story may be predictable, it’s the fresh lead pair, Mishkat Verma and Kanchi Singh, that grabs attention.