Category Archives: Upcoming Shows

TV ‘shows’ must go on!!!

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Ever wondered, how many TV shows have shut in past 2 months? Let’s put some light on it and see who replaced who!

Off Air Shows Replaced By
Maryada (Star Plus) -
Sasural Genda Phool (Star Plus) Ek Dusre Se Karte Hain Pyar Hum
I Love My India (Sab TV) Bhai, Bhaiyya aur Brother
Ram Milaye Jodi (Zee TV) Phir Subah Hogi
Choti Bahu (Zee TV) Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke
Havan (Colors) Kairi – Rishta Khatta Meetha
Laado (Colors) Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha
Zindagi Kahe.. Smile Please (Life Ok) Aasman Se Aage
Meri Maa (Life Ok) Amrit Manthan

Above all shows ended with very low ratings, except Sasural Genda Phool. But Sasural Genda Phool team along with Star team felt it’s good to end up a show on a high note rather than unnecessarily dragging it. But, one just cannot blame ratings for the same. There are a lot of other issues to be dealt with while making a TV show. And to shut it, is a big decision for channel as well as the producers. Soaps are such, one track doesn’t work and the story is changed. After a while, the original plot or the crux of the show is lost. This has been witnessed in a lot of shows. And that could be one of the major reasons for them to shut. Moreover, creatives can’t experiment a lot these days as they all have to work with lot of limitations.

Also, as Imagine TV shut, its all 5 shows shut too! 14 shows being shut in a span of 2 months and a few new ones have already replaced them. So, what happens next? A few new ones are in pipeline which will be launched post IPL; such as, Byaah Hamari Bahu Ka, Indian Idol and post that KBC on Sony TV. Also, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’s next season is around the corner, but this time on Colors.

There are rumors about Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya (Star Plus) and Shubh Vivah on (Sony) soon to go off air. Nothing has been official about it, but there have been talks about it. As they say, there is no smoke without fire. So, which shows will replace them? Will the new shows be able to garner the same ratings for the channel or prove to be otherwise?

My question for you all is –

What kind of shows you’d like to watch? What kind of quality would you prefer? Do you want any sequels? If, yes, which ones?

Till then, do enjoy watching your own favorite shows with their own twists and tadkas in it! :)

Sony TV to launch another Gujarati Family Drama – Byah Hamari Bahu Ka!!

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As soon as IPL is over, Sony has planned its upcoming show, Byah Hamari Bahu Ka. And guess what; it has already managed to gain the interest of TV viewers. The Promos are all over Sony and as they say in Bollywood – It’s Different ;) So what is this new show all about? Will it live up to the hype that has been created? Will they rule the TRP’s? Well time will only tell that. Meanwhile let’s try to find out more about his show.

“Byah Humari Bahu Ka”, is a new show on “Sony TV” by JD Majethia. Jamnadas Majethia is an Indian TV serial actor/director and producer. He is a theater actor who is best known for his Gujarati and Sindhi plays and dramas. On stage, he has been active in Gujarati theater for the last 20 years. So what’s common in serials like Khichdi, Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, Baa Bahoo Aur Baby and Jasuben Jayantilal Joshi Ki Joint Family? Well apart from having come from the esteemed Hats Off Productions, all the shows had a Gujarati background. So is this new show also about a Gujarati Family? Well based on the Promos it’s clear that this too is about a Vaishnav Family, ie Gujarati Family.

So now that you know about the Producer and a bit of a background about what to expect, let’s take it one step ahead. Time to reveal the story :)

This is the story of Krish and his soul mate Rajnibala. Krish is also known as Gopikishan, who has never been in love before but soon based on one look at Rajnibala he realises that she is his soul mate.  Krish is from a rich family and Rajnibala belongs to a poor family. This serial also shows the journey of Rajnibala as she adapts in the new environment.

Now it’s time for the star cast.

Well, Popular television actor Gaurav Khanna, seen in serials like ‘Kumkum’,’ Jeevan Saathi,’ ‘Meri Doli Tere Angana’ and’ Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam’, has been roped in by Sony TV. Trishika Tiwari has also been roped in as one of the actors. She is known for her stints in Geet Hui Sabse Parayi (Star One) and Phulwa (Colors). Her character’s name is Namita who is bubbly, chirpy and the over-pampered child of the family. She is Gaurav Khanna’s sister and in spite of being naughty has a serious back story. Shrenu Parikh, who was last seen in Hawan has been finalised to play the female protagonist in the show.

Wait till you hear this  - News is that Byah Hamari Bahu Ka will air at 8 pm starting May 28, so that means that Kuch Toh Log Kahenge will finally move to 11 pm slot and the the show has already started promoting it.

Happy Viewing :)

Dhak Dhak Girl is back on television with ‘Jhalak Dikhla Ja’ season 5

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The dancing diva of Bollywood is back on Television, and this time as a Judge for ’Jhalak Dikhla Ja’ season 5. She has been the epitome of grace right from her days of dhak dhak in Beta to Dola Re Dola in Devdas, Madhuri has always carried on with her million dollar smile. Sony Entertainment Television brings back it’s reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which brings in new celebrities and well-known faces to perform with professional dance partners. Thanks to the Success of Season 4, the channel has approached the Dhak Dhak Girl to come back for the 5th Season.


The shows format is taken from the “Strictly Come Dancing” show on BBC One in UK, which has been a huge success in over 30 countries like America, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy, where it is known as Dancing with the Stars. The Indian version has been extensively remodeled to appeal to the country’s viewers and India is the only country to not have live music with an in-house band.

Coming back to Madhuri, she had co-judged the last season (4) with Remo D’Souza and Malaika Arora Khan. However, the co-judges of Madhuri Dixit for the fifth season are yet to be finalized. The show, which was previously aired on Sony TV since 2006, will now be broadcasted on Colors.

So what to expect from this show in Season 5? Well iDubba has some of the answers:

So here we go:

  • In the first look promos for Jhalak Dikhala Jaa 5, Madhuri will be seen giving a tribute to the divas of yesteryears starting with the 60′s superstar Meena Kumari
  • The song “Thade Rahiyo” from Pakeezah is one number which mesmerized us and now, it is with this very song, that Madhuri pays homage to Meena Kumari
  • The promo will see Madhuri in a shimmering pink anarkali outfit performing to the song in true Meena Kumari style
  • The sets will replicate the Pakeezah look – right from the fountains to the pond with floating candles, lights etc


It will not be wrong to say that Madhuri is one actress who can do a disco and a mujra with the same finesse. So are you all set to shake your hips and move your feet with the new season of Jhalak Dikhala Jaa? Well we will be back with some more information about the celebrity participants soon.

Till then …. Happy Viewing.


All you wanted to know about Satyamev Jayate & Aamir Khan

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“Aamir Khan on Television” we normally associate this phrase when we watch his movies on television or on some news channel. But this phrase will have a new meaning the moment his 1st Show on Television will be aired on 6th May at 11:00. Yes you read it right, it’s a Sunday. As mentioned in our previous post “Will “Satyamev Jayate” bring about change in the Indian Television scenario?” It was not difficult to understand that this Show will surely be a A win win situation for Channels and Audience.

iDubba tries to find out some of the reasons why ”Satyamev Jayate” has the potential to change the Indian Television scenario:

  • Satyameva Jayate will be first Indian television show to be telecast simultaneously by a private entertainment television channel and Doordarshan—the national broadcaster. Yes it will be shown on DD. Apart from Star Plus; the show will also have simulcast on STAR Pravah, STAR Jalsha, STAR Utsav, Asianet and STAR Vijay within the STAR Network
  • The show is scheduled to telecast on Sundays at 11 A.M. Mr Khan wanted to telecast it on Sunday as this is considered as “family TV viewing” slot in Indian Television and also TV shows such as  Mahabharata and Ramayana were aired on Sunday mornings, and well, we all know how successful these shows were
  • The title sponsorship has been signed at around 16 – 20 crore, while associate sponsors have paid 6 – 7 crore. WOW… This is huge…Right?
  • There are reports that Aamir Khan is getting paid Rs 3 crore to anchor Satyamev Jayate. So is he the highest paid actor on Indian Television? Well here you go…Amitabh apparently got a fee of Rs 2 crore for his stint in Kaun Banega Crorepati 5, while Salman got reportedly around Rs 2 crore for lending his presence to Bigg Boss 5
  • Aamir Khan along with Ram Sampath, (music director of Delhi Belly) has created 16 songs for the 16 episodes. This too is a first of its kind

Well these are just some of the facts about this show that make it a unique show even before it’s 1st episode being aired. As we all know the Marketing King of Films would definitely have one of a kind plan for his 1st Television show. So here are a few that might impress you.

- The teasers of the show have been all over YouTube

- Makers of show has booked around 2,000 slots for the broadcaster’s promos in 27 hours for an amount of 6.25 crore

- The theme song of the show will be shown in 300 theaters across India after the national anthem. Yes in Movie Halls, Only Aamir Khan can come up with such amazing idea

So are you all excited to watch this one of a kind show? Do you think this will be a win win situation for Channels and Audience?

Happy Viewing :)

Is ‘Bade Ache Lagte Hain’ heading for a leap?

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#BALH, yes this is a very famous hash tag that is all over Twitter. And this Hash tag has been very active since couple of days, for some strange reasons. There have been some reports that ‘Bade Ache Lagte Hain’ is heading for a leap! This news has spread over the Internet like a wild fire, and the audience has been very reactive on Twitter about this news. But why are the fans so worried about the Leap? Have they forgotten that this is the Strategy that Balaji Telefilms has been using for most of its popular shows?

Here is a small view what people are talking on twitter:

So what is the reason for the Leap and how long will this leap be?

There are some reports that the creative team is planning 4-5 years leap in the show. As there is a tension been created between Ram and Priya’s relationship and soon this will lead to separation. And after the leap, Saakshi Tanwar a.k.a Priya will have a kid whose demeanor will resemble Ram Kapoor. So are you impressed by the story? Will #BALH again trend on Twitter (For the right reasons)?

Not long ago Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar were shown making love for the entire episode — caressing each other and kissing twice. Sony TV had been airing steamy promos of this episode before they actually aired the episode and gave a shock to the ‘regular’ people, and by regular I mean family who sit together to watch something sensible and definitely less controversial. Many of you might not agree with us and call us hypocrites for not accepting something which is so natural. You can check out our previous blog on this particular episode “Indian TV Screen coming off age – Really?” 

As mentioned earlier that this is not the first time that Ekta Kapoor has used the “Leap” factor in her shows. Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, one of the most popular prime time soaps on television, had taken an 18-year leap, following in the footsteps of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (20-year leap) and Kasauti Zindagi Ki (8 yrs leap). Interesting, right? Generation Leaps seem to come back as the norm on television. So does that mean that weekly and daily shows will again go for “fast forward” leap in a bid to keep the audience interest alive?

Do let us know your views on this “Leap” factor! Also will the audience be able to help #BLAH trend on Twitter? ;)  

Happy leaping ;) and Happy Viewing.

Sony Six – India’s Premier Sports Entertainment TV Channel to hit your TV soon!

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So what is this new channel all about? And what does it have in store? iDubba is all set to share the information with you. This new channel is called as “Sony SIX. The name itself might suggests that it will be a full on Sports Channel. Well you are kind of right. It is also known as India’s Premier Sports Entertainment TV Channel. So let’s dig into this new Channel ;)   

In a nation where cricket dominates all sports, MSM’s channel SIX, will air a range of non-cricket sports including martial arts, basketball, football and badminton. But is this a right time to launch this channel? In an already crowded space, Sony MIX is India’s 13th sports channel and it is operated by MSM (Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd) India, which also owns Sony Entertainment Television and SET Max. Most sports tournaments are already broadcasted by rivals ESPN-Star Sports (ESS), which owns ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket, Taj Television, which runs Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten Action+ and Ten Golf, Nimbus Communications, which has Neo Sports and Neo Cricket and the government-owned Doordarshan Sports.You might ask that what will be different about this channel ? What kind of sports will it air? So let’s find it out.

MSM India owns the broadcast rights in India for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), New Zealand Cricket, FA Cup and NBA. As of April 2012, SIX has started showing the highlights of the IPL. News is that MSM has signed a content tie-up deal with UFC, for a four-year year period to access its library as well as live mixed martial arts fights events. Did you know that MSM has rights to broadcast IPL till 2017? And did you know that going forward, Season 6 of IPL will be shifted Sony SIX? Surprised? Shocked? Well this news is true. So will this bold move be a success? We will have to wait till the next season of IPL to find out the answer. Hang on there is also some good news for the audience; SIX has announced that it will not show any advertisements for the first 3 months :)

So do you think that this new attempt from Sony might work? Will the viewers tune into this new sports channel? Well time will only tell if this works. Do let us know your favourite Sports Channel and why you like it.

Happy Viewing.

Amitabh Bachchan’s tweet confirms Kaun Banega Crorepati (new season) to air by August

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The television audience is fortunate to hear the following words again “Lock Kiya Jaye”  “Sure, Confident” “computerji”. Yes you guessed it right, Big B is back and this time all set to Host the 6th Season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). There were reports that he might not host the sixth edition of the reality game show, but thanks to Twitter, Mr Bachchan tweeted “Off for a meet with Sony for next KBC…planning, operation, execution….will keep you informed on its (KBC’s) broadcast and other details”.

As you all know Mr Bachchan is super active on Twitter and always manages to keep his fans posted about news and his views on various topics. No matter what Mr Bachchan does it’s a news and this time he managed to relive the KBC Moments via Twitter. Following are some of his tweets related to this news.

“KBC: 22 million people tuned in to the opening episode .. Continued to be watched by over 120 million through the 56 episodes!! KBC: 16.5 crores prize money won, at an average of 12.5 lakhs per contestant on HOT SEAT… and.. 7.4 crore entries for GBJJ ..!!

“GBJJ: Ghar Baithe Jeeto Jackpot! Phone in on show, get right answer to a question, can win 1 – 2 – 3 lakhs at times!!”

These stats does show what a mass hysteria was created by this show. The show was first aired in 2000,  and was hosted by Big B. This was his first appearance on small screen. And soon the show became a huge hit as Big B hosted first and second seasons.  And guess what, following this, Shah Rukh Khan was soon seen in as the host for the third season. But thanks to the low TRP’s Big B soon returned to anchor the fourth season of the show. But this time it was was aired on Sony Entertainment Television. He did not stop there, and was also seen in the 5th Season.

Following is the illustrious list of the winners till the 5th season:

- Harshvardhan Nawathe – 1st winner of KBC in 2000

- Ravi Saini – Winner of  KBC Junior  1 Crore (Children under 14)

- Vijay and Arundhati Raul – Winner of KBC Jodi  1 Crore in 2001

- Brajesh Dubey – Winner of KBC 2 leaving with  1 Crore when the top prize was  2 Crore

- Rahat Taslim – Winner of  1 crore in Season 4 from Jharkhand

- Sushil Kumar – Winner of  5 Crore in Season 5 from Bihar. He is the first contestant who has won the full jackpot in KBC series

- Anil Kumar Sinha – Winner of  1 Crore in Season 5 from Bihar

Now that it is confirmed that Season 6 will be blessed with the presence of Mr Amitabh Bachchan, do you think that KBC might have some new twists? Will there be new dialogues and “computerji” might be replaced by iPad ;)  Sounds strange… right… Well you never know what’s in store for the 6th Season. Well you might want to know when Big B will start the show… So here you go ;)

Do send in your views about the show and your favourite moments related to the show.

“Lock Kiya Jaye”

 Happy Viewing

Will “Satyamev Jayate” bring about change in the Indian Television scenario?

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No doubt there have been no dearth of Reality Shows on Indian Television, but is the Indian Audience ready for another Reality Show?  Well, let me rephrase the previous sentence. Is the Indian Television Audience ready for THE show “Satyamev Jayate”? Off lately you might have witnessed the promos of this new show on Star Plus. The show marking the television debut of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan titled ‘Satyamev Jayate’. The show promises to be very different from anything that you have ever seen on India television. In the exclusive promotional trailer, Aamir talks about how he wants everyone to watch ‘Satyamev Jayate’ with their hearts and eyes open.

But the real question is – Will “Satyamev Jayate“, bring about change in the Indian Television scenario? Television now days have been really popular and unpopular for the kind of shows that are aired on various channels. Some have good content while some just have lot of noise around it. Daily Soaps have been somewhat replaced by a number of reality shows. But still you might feel that something is missing. That real connect with the audience is missing, those emotions, those feelings are missing.

There are ‘just’ shows and there are shows that have the ability to change the way to watch television. I am sure that both the generations can somewhat relate to these two shows on television, Ramayan (for the earlier generation) and KBC (for the recent generation). Well, we are not trying to compare both the shows, but the point is that these two shows did change the way we watched television. Both the shows did connect with the audience, and touched their hearts, got them to tears and also made them smile. This new show “Satyamev Jayate” does also promises to do the same, but in a different way. So what is this show all about?

Satyamev Jayate is a talk show, and not just another talk show. The guests on the show would talk about the most difficult times in their lives, and talk about issues, the Real Issues. The channel offering seems to be a breath of genuine fresh air, as the show sets out to reveal the India that lives in villages and only sometimes breaks out in the form of a headline. The Live TV audiences will be moved by the issues tackled on the show.

Truth alone triumphs; not falsehood.

Through truth the divine path is spread out by which

the sages whose desires have been completely fulfilled,

reach where that supreme treasure of Truth resides

Do send in your views and thoughts about this new show. Will “Satyamev Jayate“, bring about change in the Indian Television scenario?

Happy Viewing.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar is back…Are you Excited?

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When you hear “Jo Jeeta Wohi…” all you think is “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar “! Well you are right but soon this is going to change. Star Plus is back with its reality television series “Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar Season 2“. The show clubs in the winners and runners up from various singing competitions where they compete against each other for the title of the “SUPERSTAR”.  Rahul Vaidya was the winner of the 1st season and the 1st India Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant was the 1st runner up.

And guess who is back? The real Shaan is back ;)   Shantanu Moitra and Shaan would judge STAR Plus’ Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar Season 2!  You might recollect Shantanu Moitra , the Parineeta and 3Idiots fame music director. He is making an entry into television industry as a reality show judge in the second season of  “Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar”. Did you know that Moitra had started off his musical career with the popular ‘Bole Mere Lips I Love Uncle Chips’ jingle! Interesting…Right?

And what can we say about Shaan aka Shantanu Mukherjee? As a child, Shaan began his career by singing ad jingles. After giving it up for a brief period, he soon returned to it, and also began to sing remixes and cover versions. In the 1989 movie Parinda, when he was only 17 years of age, Shaan sang a single line in the song, “Kitni Hai Pyari Pyari Dosti Hamari”. His song “Chand Sifarish” from the movie Fanaa and “Jab Se Tere Naina” from Saawariya won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award and the Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer – Male apart from receiving several other nominations. In 2000 he won the MTV Asia Music Award for best solo album for his album Tanha Dil. Shaan won Best TV Music Director Award for creating the music of the Zee TV show Lipstick.

Wait, it is not yet over! There is one more surprise element in the show…. After her long absence from the telly industry due to her pregnancy, Mandira Bedi is back in the media and she would be the host of the reality show.

After her star-making turn in Shanti, Bedi appeared in a supporting role in the 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and played Kajol’s rival and going-to-be sister-in-law for Shahrukh Khan’s love and “Mandira”, in the popular Indian soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Among her other career highlights was a stint as one of the presenters on the Indian television talent contest/reality show, Fame Gurukul (which ended on 20 October 2005), replacing R. Madhavan as the anchor of Deal Ya No Deal. Did you know that she also hosted the 1st season of “Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar”?

 “Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar” is to go on air from March 31st, 2012. Stay tuned to watch Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar Season 2 on March 31st, 2012 on Star Plus! Do let us know your feedback about the show.

Happy Viewing ;)

Is the Indian Audience ready for Comedy Central?

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Yes the world’s biggest comedy channel - Comedy Central has finally arrived in India. Comedy Central in India is a localised version of Comedy Central which first began in the United States in the 1990s.  And as the name suggests it concentrates solely on comedy. The channel is India’s first 24-hour channel dedicated to English language comedy content. Comedy Central has expanded globally with localized channels in Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Latin America, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom / Ireland ,Spain and finally in India. Did you know that On November 15, 1989, Time Warner, owners of HBO, launched The Comedy Channel as the first cable channel devoted exclusively to comedy-based programming?

So what do you think “Is the Indian Audience ready for Comedy Central”? Well it has some of the best Comedy shows and some of the most amazing actors on television.  

So let’s check out some of the shows that the Indian Audience will be able to watch:

Well as they say world has changed and so has the definition of comedy. It is said that the channel will be available in approximately 20 million households across the country at launch and it will be available across analog, digital cable and DTH. Sounds great, Right? The Indian audience was used to watch some of these shows in bits and pieces on channels like Zee Cafe and Star World. But with this dedicated Comedy Channel they will be delighted to watch all their favourite show on one Channel.

Hope this would be a welcome change and the audience will have a fresh choice of comedy channel. As it is SAB TV is regarded as the Best Indian comedy channel and it guarantees to be a complete family entertainment with Hindi comedy shows. This new addition will surely give a variety to the Indian Audience.

So are you excited to get your hands on the remote and watch your favourite English Comedy shows? Do give us your feedback about this channel and keep smiling :)

Happy Viewing.