From launching unconventional love stories, spinoff sitcoms, supernatural thrillers and courtroom drama, to horror comedy and new seasons of reality shows, 2019 comes with a heady dose of multifarious entertainment. Sunday Pioneer gives you a peek
SupernaturalTwist
Main Bhi Ardhangini on &TV: Set against the picturesque backdrop of Rajasthan, the show brings together a love story with a supernatural twist that will further delve into the life of Madhav (Avinash Sachdev) and his best friend turned second wife Vaidehi (Aditi Rawat). Depicting an invaluable bond between a husband and his better half, Main Bhi Ardhangini will give a true glimpse of the selfless effort and unconditional love that Vaidehi showers as a true ‘Ardhangini’. On the other hand, showcasing the eternal love of the spirit of Madhav’s first wife, Chitra (Anjali Priya), the story will portray the endeavours that she takes to keep them together and shield them against any source of evil even after death.
WomanWarrior
Revisiting the past, Colors will have another historical show titled Jhansi on Rani Lakshmibai who fought against the British with all her might.
FamilyDrama
An unconventional story, Rajaa Betaa will outline a story of an orphan child raised by his grandfather, growing up to become one of the most successful gynaecologists in Allahabad. The show marks the debut of Rahul Sudhir and Sambhabana Mohanty as the lead protagonists on the show which will go on air on January 7, 2019 on Zee TV.
SpinoffComedy
One of the most loved shows Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain, which has given iconic characters like Vibhuti Narayan (played by Aashif Sheikh), Angoori (played by Shubhangi Atre), Tiwari (played by Rohitash Gaud) and Anita (played by Saumya Tandon), will have a spin-off. And it is going to be about Happu Singh (played by Yogesh Tripathi) and how his life revolves around his wife and nine children. Titled as Happy Ke Chappu, the show is scheduled to go on air around 19 January, 2019 on &TV.
Women empowerment
The unconventional stories of a little girl Kesari Nandan who aspires to fulfill the dream of her father Hanumant Singh, a former wrestling champion and coach to young male wrestlers. Set in the backgrop of Rajasthan, the show is produced by Contiloe Pictures and also stars Manav Kohli as Hanumant Singh, Aastha Chowdhary as Kesar’s mother and Nivedita Saraf, Reshma Shinde and Ankit Arora in supporting roles. The show has already premiered on Colors and air every Monday to Friday at 8:30 pm.
Spookycomedy
SABTV is all set to bring a new comedy show with a twist of horror titled Band Baja Bandh Darwaza. Though not much has been revealed yet, Prachi Tehlan has been roped in for the show and will be playing a Haryanvi girl for one of their weekly series. The show will see popular film actor Mukesh Tiwari making his debut on TV. Produced by Maqbool Khan and Amitosh Nagpal under Tuk Tuk Picture Company, the show is scheduled to go on air from January 26, every Saturday and Sunday.
Daredevilry
After the success of yet another season of Bigg Boss 12, which has been won by Simar aka Dipika Kakar Ibrahim of Sasural Simar Ka, viewers will witness an action-packed weekend with Khatron Ke Khiladi starting this weekend at 9pm on Colors. Themed as Jigar Pe Trigger, the show will be bigger and better with 12 contestants try to come out of their comfort zones and strengthen them to perform stunts in the scenic locales of Argentina. Rohit Shetty will continue to entertain as a host along with 12 contestants — S Sreesanth, Avika Gor, actor and model Jasmin Bhasin , Zain Imam, TV producer Vikas Gupta, actor Aly Goni, Shamita Shetty, Punit Pathak, Bharti Singh and her husband Harsh Limbachiyaa, Aditya Narayan and Ridhima Pandit.
Tale of love
An edgy love story between an IPS officer Dhanak from Gujrat who marries a gangster Raghu from Dombivli, Gathbandhan will feature the many predicaments and dilemmas surrounding marriage. Actor Abrar Qazi would be making his TV debut as gangster Raghu on the other hand, India’s Next Superstar finalist Shruti Sharma has been roped in to play the female lead. The show is slated to go on air in the third week of January on Colors.
Adventurereality
The auditions for Roadies Real Heroes is on and the gang leaders Neha Dhupia, Nikhil Chinappa, Prince Narula, Raftaar are back along with ring master Rannvijay Singh to make it yet another successful season. The season 16 will also have legendary sportsman Sandeep Singh as a gang leader for the first time.
And the award goes to...
The 76th Golden Globe Awards will bring to you starstudded night with amazing performances and will be nail-biting, with superstars like Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Julia Roberts, Jason Bateman, Michael Douglas, Penelope Cruz, Kirsten Bell, Debra Messing and many more contending for the awards in 25 different categories. It will have an exclusively simulcast on Vh1, Comedy Central and Colors Infinity on January 7 at 7:30am IST, with a repeat telecast at 9pm IST.
CourtroomDrama
There will be courtroom drama — Insaaf that will bring some real life court cases that went on for years and brought landmark judgement. This crime-based episodic series has roped in actor Rushad Rana for its first episode. Produced by Optimystic Productions, this fictionalised series will also showcase the journey of a victim from the crime to the verdict. The launch date of the show is yet to be announced.
MusicalDelight
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs on Zee TV: The viewers are in for a joyride with another season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs. The show will be judged by Shaan, Richa Sharma and Amaal Mallik.
QuoteUnquote
‘Kids entertainment space will grow’
We have always sensed that regional language content not only has the potential but also serves as an impactful way to build a strong relationship with children. The digital media is a key influencer today and it has led us to curate special content for YouTube. Emerging trends clearly reflect that flagship shows and localising content, pay dividends since 70 per cent of airtime and 80 per cent of GRP of leading channels in India comes from one, flagship show. Alternatively, telefilms and long duration content is another great format observed this year that is aiding engagement with our little audience. Overall, children’s entertainment genre is a space that’s waiting to explode and is evolving quickly. As curators/programmers, we are all set to ride this wave of transformation.
— Leena Lele Dutta, business head, Sony YAY!
Take your pick & pay
The new MRP pricing being rolled out in January 2019 will bring about a paradigm shift for consumers and empower them from having to switch from choosing a bundled offer to hand-picking channels of their choice. It will allow for more transparency in the regime and enable broadcasters to not only be a medium to telecast content but be an experience provider to their viewers. We at ZEEL believe that we are the 'family ka superhit network' and have something for everyone and everything for everybody. The TRAI regulation will also rule out the issues that subscribers often face while finding out the price of the channels, bouquets and other terms and conditions for subscription.
— Atul Das, president, affiliate revenues and distribution, Zee TV
