Life goes on…

Manpriya Singh 

It came. We saw. It conquered. Over two years ago, ever since Zindagi channel entered Indian homes and introduced us to syndicated content from Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, Ukraine and South Korea, there’s been no looking back. Save for last year, when the channel banned all the Pakistani shows, after the Uri attack.  The latest? For those who love the idea of a good old remote and switching it on to see what they want, there’s a bit of a development. Come July 1 and the media firm Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) moves the premium Hindi entertainment channel Zindagi from TV to video-on-demand platform. 

So now what? 

The channel will go off air from July 1, and its content in different genres from across the world and the original productions of Zindagi will be available on OZEE. 

It’s a business decision 

Shares Aparna Bhosle, ZEE’S Business Cluster Head, “Today content for our audiences is not just on television, but also includes online options. There are rapid technological advances that are changing viewing habits.” 

Won’t feel the same 

“Zindagi content was different and the quality was incomparable to anything we have on Indian television.  I followed Zindagi Gulzar Hai thoroughly, as I really like Fawad Khan’s acting and got to learn a lot from him. To be able to follow your favourite show on TV has a charm of its own, it’s sad that won’t be the case anymore,” says Rohan Mehra, who shot to fame with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and was also seen in Bigg Boss 10. 

You’ll be missed…on TV!   

Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Fatmagul, Feriha, Humsafar…you name it and she followed it! Despite being the protagonist of a prime-time daily soap opera. Hectic schedules notwithstanding! “I definitely don’t feel nice that the channel is going off air. Zindagi Channel introduced shows from all around the world to Indian audiences,” shares Pankhuri Awasthy, currently seen in Kya Qusoor Hai Amla Ka, a remake of the Zindagi’s hit Turkish drama Fatmagul. 

Surprise…a pleasant one 

These serials on Zindagi had the nation exclaiming in unison; ‘Did you see the last episode of…’

Fatmagul 

Hello Turkey! Fatmagul’s dubbed version, hooked everyone. And rightly so! A village belle, idyllic set-up and four city-bred villains; a humble woman sets out to take revenge . 

Total Dreamer 

The show Total Dreamer is the first Brazilian show to air in India and is the story of a beautiful young girl who goes on to become a successful model. The locales of Brazil, Uruguay and Australia being yet another throwaway attraction! 

t’s okay, time to move on 

The channel is different from others because the serials are not frequently interrupted by advertisements. Reality shows don’t make much sense either. It’s good that the channel is bringing in stories and serials from various other languages and cultures. Good to hear that it is switching onto digital format, as our future is totally based on digitalisation. 

— Ashraph Dhuddy,  student

manpriya@tribunemail.com