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 I
got talking to television stars and producers to share their views on what they
expect for themselves and for the medium of television in 2006.
Smriti
Irani from Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi says,"This is a year filled with
great possibilities for me. It's the year of my debut in Gujarati theatre and
the beginning of my association with cinema. I hope it works out. As for television,
content will continue to rule whether it's a soap or reality TV." Iqbal
Khan, lead actor in Kaisa Yeh Pyar Hai says,"By God's grace things
have been going splendidly for me. My future is in  Allah's
hands. I'm going to continue to work hard and do my bit on television. Everyone
can see, the popularity of the medium is growing like a wild forest. It just doesn't
seem to end"
Rohit
Roy was optimistic saying, "Honestly for the first time, I am looking forward
to doing some kick-ass work on TV. 2005 was great for me. 2006 looks even better.
Sarrkar is giving me a creative high. And Viraasat promises to be
the mother of all soaps. My movie appearance in Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina has
got me great responses. Now a couple of really good films are happening. So, all
in all this year will rock for me. I feel TV will continue to be the most powerful
medium, and it's growing by the week." Rajiv
Khandelwal is honest as he tries hard to rid the Sujal image saying, "For
me this year looks very exciting. I'm clueless about what awaits me. And the very
fact that I'm clueless makes my struggle unpredictable and exciting." TV
actress, Rajeshwari Sachdev Badola says,"I hope for me, my tradition of interesting
and exciting work continues. That's the way I like my work to be. May dance and
music be the elixir of my life!" ****
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Deepak
Segal (Executive Vice President, Content Star) says, "I foresee further fragmentation
in the TV industry, what with new channels, and technology like DTH and mobile
coming up. For us at Star we hope to put on some shows that get into the marathon
and some shows that could sustain in the race and keep leading in the marathon."  The
workaholic TV tycoon Ekta Kapoor says, "I see a continuing fragmentation
of viewership. Star Plus will continue to be on top in 2006. But Zee and Star
One will inch forward. For me innovation is the key word. As far as soaps go,
my biggest challenge this year is Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka on Star One. It takes
me into an entirely new territory. My other new soap Kasamh Se is a sweet
warm story that I hope to use it to lure urban audiences into watching Zee. And
Kandy Floss on Sony will be my first non-fictional show. I'll also be launching
one of my biggest soaps ever at year-end. There're other things on the anvil.
But these are the main challenges. As far as Indian television is concerned, the
sky is no longer the limit."
 Manish
Goswami turned television producer with the successful Zee serial Parampara in
1993. Having produced many other hit serials since then, he says, "This year
looks very encouraging and bright. Apart from my two shows on air Sarrkar
and Kittu Sab Janti Hai which are doing very well, I've a few more shows
going on air by Feb/March. Finally my first feature film will take off by July
2006. I see a lot of reality TV and progressive serials on primetime. I also see
a lot of shows targeted at children between 5 and 14. Of course comedy shows will
also rule the roost this year. Who doesn't want a good laugh?"
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Kavita
Barjatya from Rajshri Productions chose to make her mark away from films by entering
the television media with their second venture Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki.
With the serial being well received, she said, "TV is getting really big
. Besides the normal dailies different kind of shows are coming up this year.
Reality TV is definitely here to stay. I remember reading a survey which said
television contributes 55 percent to India's entertainment industry while films
contribute just 26 percent." Ravi
Rai(producer, director of Sailaab, Thoda Hai Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai and
Kashish) says, "This year television would certainly scale higher
heights. A TV director has to stand up and deliver as the stakes are getting increasingly
high. Fiction TV is a segment of deep concern with news, sports and reality-based
shows coming up like gremlins, one needs to look at this mother-genre and revive
it by artificial respiration. As for me, I need one good show on television for
my own satisfaction and for my company to keep going." ****
On Friday,
I went through a life-transforming experience. And no, it wasn't because the killer
was revealed on Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. It was because a new singing
phenomenon was born in front of my eyes.  And
her name is Himani Kapoor. I never thought anyone would dare touch a song by the
invincible Lata Mangeshkar …and sing it with such expressiveness! On Friday
night when Himani sang Lataji's Chitthiye in front of guest-judge Kapil
Dev, time stopped…Sure, the remaining four contestants were also out of the
ordinary(especially the topi-wala Vinit whose Sandese aate hain was something
else, amd Hemachandra whose Hai rai was wah rama! ).
But
Himani is the singer to watch. She's going to sweep away all the other female
playback singers. Recalling the experience Himani says, "Chitthiye
is a song with lots of nuances. When my mentor Aadesh Shrivastava asked me to
sing it this week I was hesitant. I thought it was way beyond my range. But the
response I got, particularly to the little innovations that I introduced to the
original composition (by Ravindra Jain) was beyond anything I expected."
Himani
got 10/10 for her rendition of Chitthiye this week. Does she hope to win
the finals four weeks from now? "I don't know. All I know is, I'm doing my
best. People keep asking how I bring in those innovations. I don't know. It just
happens when I sing."
Kapil Dev was moved to tears listening to
the other hot favourite contestant Vinit sing his rendition of the patriotic Sandese
aate hain from Border. Laughs Vinit, "When Kapilji cried, I knew I had
sung well. Sandese is a long song. I chose to sing only the last stanza where
the soldier remembers his mother. That must've touched him. ..Every week I want
to please my mentor Himesh Reshammiya. I sing tunes that are a bigger and bigger
challenge for me."
 On
Thursday Sa Re Ga Ma went into a 'Black-and-White' special. "I sang
Rafi Saab's number Baar baar dekho from China Town," says the confident
Vinit.
"I sang Asha Bhosleji's number Huzur-e-ala from Yeh Raat
Phir Na Ayegi," reveals Himani shyly. "And, next Thursday is a Qawwalli
special where you'll hear me sing Der na ho jaye from Heena." I
asked Himani what she thought of the coming year. She remarked, "I just want
to sing and sing my way to the sort of success that my parents have dreamt for
me." Watch out for these talented singers. **** Iqbal
Khan's Pic By: VICKY AHUJA (The
views expressed here are those of the author and indiantelevision.com need not
necessarily subscribe to the same) | 
