Zee re-shoots Ardhangani to save TRPs

Monday, October 22, 2007

Over the past few years, some of Zee TV's shows have grown in popularity like never before. With the TRPs rising, the channel is now all the more particular about the quality of its products. After all, at this high point, it can't afford to let rival channels elbow it out of the competition.

As of now, the channel is betting on big-budget show "Ardhangani" to take over the baton from shows that are wrapping up. However, when the channel's honchos saw the serial's shooting material of the first 20 days, they were highly disappointed. With the stakes being high, they have ordered producers Jay and Kinnari Mehtaa of Jay Mehtaa Productions to scrap the work done so far and re-shoot from scratch.

Since the first four episodes are being shot again, the original date of telecast of the serial was postponed from October 15 to 29. Confirming the news, producer Kinnari Mehtaa says: "Yeah, we have scrapped the previous episodes for the betterment of the show and are re-shooting it." To inquiries about what went wrong, "I wouldn't like to comment on this" was all that Kinnari would say.

Meanwhile, director Pawan Sahu has been sacked by the channel and replaced by Pawan Kumar, who has to his credit shows like "Piya Ka Ghar" and "Rakhi". A source revealed that the director got the axe because he had creative differences regarding the script with the channel. However, Sahu, who has earlier directed "Sindoorr - Tere Naam Ka" and "Vaidehi" and the currently running "Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai" for Zee TV, is not sure about the reason behind the treatment meted out to him. "I don't know what exactly went wrong and am still trying to figure it out. I executed what was demanded by the script. I think the problem must have been with the script."

On the other hand, the show's writer, Sampurn Anand, refused to get into the blame game. "A show is a writer's vision and if it's not coming across well, it has to be done again. The show is good and it will speak for itself. I don't believe in passing the buck," he said. The channel too is steering clear of mud-slinging, fearing an adverse affect on the TRPs of the new show. Tarun Mehra, vice president, marketing, gave a diplomatic response: "We just wanted to enhance the show. Hence, the re-shoot."

But we wondered why the move was not taken after viewing the material of the first few days, instead of stretching it for 20 days. "For this, you have to get in touch with the creative department," Tarun retorted. Creative supervisor of the show Pearl Shahi also chose to keep mum and didn't reply to our sms.

The reaction from the channel only reaffirms that when it comes to its pet project, compromises are out of the question. Hope the re-shoot is worth it and the serial helps Zee strengthen its roots.