UMBAI: Hatim has not set the TRP ratings soaring so Star Plus will be hoping for better things from its next kiddies show that launches 21 May. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Dhoom (K3D), a story that revolves around seven adopted children, has been assigned a Friday 7:30 pm slot.

Produced by Smita Thackeray's Rahul Productions, the show replaces Karishma kaa Karishma (the Indian version of Small Wonder).

Announcing the launch, Star India senior V-P content and communications Deepak Segal said, "Star Plus has pioneered original children's programming on Indian television with shows like Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Son Pari and Karishma Kaa Karishma. In our endeavour to bring in variety in this segment, we are launching a new show which has no fantasy, magic or fairytale," he said.

K3D is the story of seven orphans and the pranks they play on Poster, the servant who looks after them (sounds somewhat on the lines of the character Calendar from the movie Mr India which also had a bunch of orphans) played by Ali Asgar, aunty Savitri (played by Pallavi Joshi) and the visitors who drop in occasionally. Savitri resides in a huge bungalow along with the seven kids adopted by her late husband.

The main supporting cast comprises Vishal Singh as Anuj (the trustee's son who lands up as a cook in the bungalow because he wants to maintain peace and harmony) and Dilip Joshi as Taneja (the builder who has an eye on Savitri's property) along with the kids Abhishek Sharma, Anuj Pandit, Lavina Tandon, Shivani Joshi, Arun Dev Sharma, Samarth and Akshita.

According to Thackeray, she would have loved to see the show being aired on Sunday mornings, but Segal opined, "We have done fairly well with Sonpari on Wednesdays and Shakalaka Boom Boom on Fridays, hence not having it on Sundays won't make a difference."

When indiantelevision.com asked Thackeray her future projects on television, she said, "We want to do lots more on television and are looking forward to genres of thrillers and soaps as well. We have given some scripts to Sahara and Sony and are awaiting a reply from them."

On the TV front, Rahul Productions has Khel (SET), Jhep (ETV), Bhagya Vidhata (ETV) to its credit so far.

Joshi was not present at the launch, but Asgar more than made up for her by bubbling with awesome energy and going around saying, "This show gives me opportunity to do what is my forte. No words can describe the happiness and satisfaction I derive in doing comedy," adding that it has not been easy shooting for it. "With kids, it is very difficult to get the same expression in retakes."

A point of note as regards the first episode of K3D that was screened at the launch is that it has lots of similarities to films like Brahmachari and Mr India. However, Samir Kulkarni (director) denies this saying, "This is a feeling you might get from the first episode or two, but later on, it's going to be altogether different."