Youth oriented TV serials

Monday, July 10, 2006

New Delhi (UNI): Even as an "ad-nauseam" display of kitchen politics creates a sense of 'dÉjÀ vu' among TV viewers, a host of 'new wave' professionals bursting with creative ideas are striving to infuse a "breath of fresh air" on small screen with their serials portraying the ''real emotions of the real people''. Amid a scene filled with 'Saas-Bahu' sagas or serials dealing with family rivalries, shows like 'Kittu Sab Janti Hai' and Sati-Satya Ki Shakti' on Sahara One, 'India Calling' on Star One' and 'Jab Luv Hua' on Zee TV invariably come as a relief for TV viewers bored to death by the surfeit of "family dramas" on the tube.

The latest in the list of "real life sagas" seeking to revolutionise the Indian television scene is 'Left Right Left', a show dealing with the dilemmas, hopes and aspirations of the youth of this country, to be aired on SAB TV from tomorrow. It is a story of six confused and disoriented youth who, looking for their true calling in life, end up at a pre-NDA academy. Produced and directed by the duo of Tony and Diya Singh, who have given to television pathbreaking shows like 'Banegi Apni Baat', 'Jab Luv Hua' on Zee TV, Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin' on Sony, the show is an attempt to capture on the small screen the ''trials and tribulations undergone and varied emotions experienced by the today's youth in course of a search for their identity and purpose in life'', something which no serial in recent years has done.

Speaking at a press meet in the capital to announce the launch of the show, to be aired on Mondays to Thursdays at 2130 hrs, Programming head, SAB, Ms Priya said the serial was a part of their endeavour to present to the TV viewer something new and different from the content being dished out to them at present. ''The show reflects the sensibilities of today's youth, many of whom do not know what they want to do in life. In short, they are wondering whether to go left, right or left. Infact, being associated with the show was for me reliving my experiences as a young girl. For example, when I entered college, I was like the youth in the serial, who was wondering whether this (doing college) was really what I wanted to do,'' she added. She noted the show was different from those being aired by other general entertainment TV channels in the 2100 hrs to 2200 hrs slot. ''None of the general entertainment channels have addressed the sentiments of youth. Infact, the show showcases much larger issues that concern the youth and reflects their attitude,'' Ms Priya said.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President and Business Head, SAB, Vikas Bahl said, ''Our programming strategy consists of introducing new shows that include unique concepts, fresh new faces and an overall packaging that draws the masses, giving the much needed impetus to expand the channel viewership. At SAB we are moving in the direction of consolidating our prime time. The launching of shows like 'Twinkle Beauty Parlour' and 'Left Right Left' is an effort in this direction.'' ''During a survey carried out by us in ten cities of the country, we met several people who said they were dying to see something new and different on television. Hence, shows like 'Twinkle beauty parlour' and 'Left right Left' are launched,'' Ms Priya added.

Tony and Diya Singh said the serial and its characters were ones with which people of all ages, from 7-77, would completely identify with. ''No matter what your age, there must have been a time in your life when you would have gone through the same dilemmas and experienced the same emotions'' Tony Singh said.

Diya Singh said the serial was another attempt on their part to present to the TV viewers a show with a refreshing concept. ''To be doing something new each time you come out with a serial is very satifying for a creative professional,''she said. Detailing on "Left right Left' she said it was a story of six youngsters - Huda, Naina, Yudi, Alekh, Ali and Pooja - who come together at a pre-NDA academy with varied intentions, dreams, aspirations and goals but the stint with the academy transforms them from being naÏve to responsible young men and women determined to fight all odds in life. The show features six newcomers in the role of the six youngsters, along with TV stars Rajiv Khandelwal, Shveta Salve and Punit Issar.

In order to give a realistic touch to the show, the makers made the actors go through rigorous training in various military disciplines to enable them to effectively translate on the small screen the lives of students of the institution. ''While making all efforts to make the show look realistic, we have also tried to give a very contemporary feel to it,''Tony said. Speaking on the occasion, TV actor Rajiv Khandelwal, known as the Sharukh Khan of the small screen, said, ''Though I have earlier worked in many serials under banners like Balaji telefilms, working with Tony and Diya Singh was an altogether different experience. I have never worked with a more creative unit which is so passionate about the craft''. The show also features Shveta Salve, who has acted in serials like Lipstick and Sarrkar.