MUMBAI: This is an initiative that targets NRIs living in New Zealand. The 60,000 or so members of Auckland’s Indian community and all who enjoy a good laugh, are in for a treat.

The first-ever locally-made Kiwi Indian comedy series Desi Jamura Videshi Khel which translates as ‘Caught in a Foreign Web’ debuts on Triangle Television on 10 March at 8.30 pm and will have a 13 week run every Thursday.

The migrant tale, produced by Dr Rachel Singh of Dreamz Productions, will be in Hindi, with English subtitles. It deals with an Indian immigrant student, Akshat, whose life is full of challenges and quirky twists. Akshat quickly learns that the way he deals with the predicaments thrown his way can influence the direction his life takes.

Mandeep Singh was spotted for the lead role of Akshat while dancing at a wedding. He has made the unusual transition from flipping burgers to becoming the first Indo-Fijian actor to take the lead in a New Zealand television series.

Dr. Rachel Singh says, "We filmed on two locations a day, and did lots of night scenes. So we worked for about 18 hours each day. We gave the timing to the cast in advance so they could be available." The 20 odd cast and crew members are all Indians living in Kiwi land.

Preparation for filming took about six months beginning in March 2004. Then, with a tight plan in place and a cast of 11 actors, the Dreamz team launched into filming the first series of 13 half-hour episodes in just seven days.

Triangle Television is Auckland’s only regional, non-commercial television station. It has operated as a public broadcaster to Greater Auckland since 1 August 1998. The channel screens a mix of regional-access television with international news and information programmes.