Zindagi gulzar hai…

Manika Ahuja

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While content from across the border, shows such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Maat, Shehr-e-Zaat and Dastaan, might have waved adieu to the Indian small screens, Zindagi channel, to be precise; courtesy the ban imposed on content featuring artistes from the neighbouring country, the debate on its after-effects, refuses to subside.

“It does not matter where the content is coming from, Pakistan or India. What matters is the ‘content.’ The realism in the story, the depth in the drama and the soul in the emotions presented on the screen are the determining factors. The country from where the content is drawn does not matter all that much,” observes Gajra Kothary, content producer for the shows Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par and TV Ke Uss Paar.

Kothary, who is in City Beautiful, to acquaint the Chandigarhians with the revamp, with actors Hitesh Bharadwaj, Ashish Kadian, in tow, talks about the ‘serious revamp’ the channel has recently undergone (read replacing Pakistani content with six Indian fiction productions). The new prime time line-up of the channel includes three Indian fiction series— Agar Tum Saath Ho, TV Ke Uss Paar, Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par. What’s more, to cater to the global sensibilities of the modern-day viewers, two Turkish dramas— Little Lord and Fatmagul have been roped-in to keep the audience engaged. Hear it from them.

Turkish touch

While Fatmagul is currently the highest TRP earner of the pack of six shows recently launched, the other shows are not that far behind. “Fatmagul has captivated the audience with its freshness. It is a welcome change from all the naagin and daayan shows on other television channels,” laughs Gajra, and continues, “People are hungry for an exposure to global content, which is why we considered inducting Turkish shows to the roster. Besides, it is only when you watch world content that your horizons widen up. We did not want to limit to the Indian shows, alone. The response is quite encouraging.”

Keeping it upbeat

Come to think of it, what is intriguing about it all is how the team ensures the essence of the international shows remains intact.

Actor Ashish informs, “Many people have this preconception about dubbed international shows, that the essence of the original content will be lost in the process of translation. But guess what, not every Tom, Dick and Harry is out here dubbing for the shows. Just like we have casting sessions for actors, these dubbing artistes are selected after rigorous auditioning process and then ‘cast for the part’. As for the other shows, we hope our ‘Indian bouquet’ will strike a chord with viewers.”