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NEW
DELHI: Pragya, the Hindi GEC that emphasises positive lifestyle
and spiritualism, is launching two completely diverse programmes
- a crime-related reality show, and a serial on old age homes,
"none of which," according to the channel, "are
storylines tried on TV before."
"Both
are unique programmes, and the serial on old age home, Saanjh
(Dusk), is starting today," Pragya channel content head
Pragyan Bhattacharya said, adding that though some aspects
of old age home have been dealt with in a few films, television
has not dared to touch the theme so far.
Bhattacharya
also said that the issue has become a major social concern:
deserted by their children, old parents live a lonely life
and have to struggle to survive in a dark, helpless world.
But
why should a youth-centric channel run a programme on old
age, and will the the target group watch it?
Bhattacharya
answered, "This is a long serial replete with explosive
new themes involving the youth, which will gradually unfold
and take the youth across a vista where they learn the values
of life."
In
fact, one of the key characters is a young woman who works
as a journalist for a TV channel, which in the serial too
is named "Pragya Channel." She uses the platform
to spread the word about her mission.
"You
see, we are clear about our ideology, and we want to do everything
positive. Even in the travails of the deserted old men and
women, there is the victory of struggle to rebuild their lives
and bring back some meaning and respectability to them,"
Bhattacharya said.
The
story starts with Gautam (Prithvi Zutsi), a widower who moves
in to his son's home in the US, and is predictably shunned
by his white-skinned wife, but he finds support in his grown-up
granddaughter Aarti, a TV journalist.
"The
stories revolve around the past, present and future of the
characters, of which eight including Aarti, are staying at
the home," said Arup Bhattacharya, programming director
at Contillo, the content production house to whom Pragya has
outsourced the serial.
25 of the 110 episodes of the serial have been shot and will
be screened at 9.00 pm weeknights.
The
channel feels that since the issue has become a core concern,
young audiences will not run away from it, and that the older
generation will find it reflective of their lives.
The
channel has roped in a number of actors, which include Sudhir
Dalvi (of Sai Baba fame), Vikas Anand, Suresh Chatwar, Shiva,
Abhijit Lahiri, Sanjay Mitra, Narender Bedi and others.
Ashok
Gaekwad (director of Raja Ki Ayegi Baraat and Mehndi)
is directing the serial, which has been written by Santosh
Saroj, who is writing for TV for the first time, Arup Bhattacharya
informed.
With
regard to the forthcoming reality show, Bhattacharya said
it is a bit premature to disclose the content, but added,
"I am sure you will be moved and the people who have
watched the first few episodes have said this to us."
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