MUMBAI: Sahara Manoranjan is living up to its style of launching ambitious projects. The channel is getting ready to air fantasy-cum-adventure thriller Chandramukhi.
Produced by Applause entertainment ltd, the series will be a one-hour weekly directed by Sunil Agnihotri (Chandrakanta, Yug).
Confirming the same to indiantelevision.com, Sahara's programming vice president Triptii Sharma said, "Chandramukhi is loosely inspired by folk fable Gul-e-Bakauli. It has been commissioned but we haven't yet decided on the date when it will go on air."
Asked if the programme would be slotted on Sunday mornings like the fantasy one-hour weeklies generally are, Sharma said, "We have to take a call on that, but yes, Sunday it could be."
The shooting kicked off with a 20-day schedule in Mahableshwar, followed by a 15 day stint in Kanjurmarg, Mumbai.
Interestingly, the girl who will play the title role Chandramukhi has not yet been cast. Agnihotri Finalise an actress over the next 24 hours.
The cast comprises newcomers Sachin Khurana and Yana Sheikh alongside Deepak Parashar (Kahiin To Hoga), Krutika Desai, Natasha Sinha (Son Pari and Kehta Hai Dil fame) and Amita Nangia.
It is the story of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh (Parashar), who has a cursed son. It has been forecast that his child would bring his doom and if he sees the kid, he would turn blind. So the child, who grows up to be Vanraj (Sachin) and the mother (Sinha) are packed away. The child is a werewolf and Urvashi (Yana) is someone who is madly in love with him. But unfortunately, he has eyes only for Chandramukhi.
According to the production house, five episodes are ready, but considering the fact that they have taken 35 days to be completed, a sufficient bank has to be built before it is put on air.
Agnihotri explained, "With a lot of special effects and scares, unlike other serials, this one cannot be done at a very rapid pace. As far as I believe, the serial may see the light of day in August."
"I directed 89 episodes of Chandrakanta (DD) before the show went off air after 93 episodes. After two years, it was once again attempted by DD for about six episodes, but fell flat. As for Yug, I directed the first 262 episodes. The show went on for 400 plus episodes and later came as Betal Pachisi on DD."
He further told indiantelevision.com that the idea for this serial was initiated by Sahara Manoranjan about five months ago. " Going by the cost, there was a big question on who would take the mantle of production. We meet up Applause and they agreed."
Sunil Munshi, Manoj Sinha and Farrokh, who have been with Agnihotri since the Chandrakanta days, are involved with the writing aspects of the show.
Meanwhile, Agnihotri has wrapped up his latest film Alibaba Aur 40 Chor starring Arbaaz Khan and Pinky Harwani. He is ready to launch into another film Friends which will star Tejaswini Kolhapure.
"Currently we are looking at 52 episodes for Chandramukhi, but you never know what happens on Indian television," concluded Agnihotri with a smile.
Sahara Manoranjan is still looking for its first major hit. Whether Chandramukhi will be as big a money-spinner as 'Chandrakanta', remains to be seen. Going by the fact that the show will involve several special effects, grand costumes, and what have you, a good amount of money would be getting pumped into this. Apparently, the channel considers it as a good bet. One hopes the viewers too agree.
