A glut of fresh shows

2016 has been a great year for many TV soaps. There were some great shows, which are still running and some that abruptly ended. A few came up with the second season and some ruled the TRPs. So let’s see what 2017 has in store for the audience

Woh Apna Sa (Zee TV) - A tale of complex relationships with an element of suspense. The trend of ‘adapting’ films on television industry is currently ruling the roost. This show is apparently adapted from film ‘We are Family’. The show marks the comeback of Disha Parmar and Ridhi Dogra Vashisth. The promo of the show looks promising.

Dil Se Dil Tak (Colors) - Siddharth Shukla, Rashmi Desai and Jasmine Bhasin star in the show. By looking at the first promo, we can say that the television is becoming safely bold. The interpretation of the promo leaves one in a bewildering state. From the promo, the chemistry between Siddharth and Rashmi is looks good. The intimate scenes are bold and are not overboard. For now, we can say, the idea of TV viewing will have a change from the regressive content, and we are in for a novel treat.

Ghulam (Life OK) - The show looks raw, gritty and impressive. After a long wait, finally, Param Singh and Niti Taylor’s ‘Ghulam’ is going on-air soon. One can say ‘Ghulam’ is here to usher in a change. Vikas Manaktala is the star of the promo and we haven't seen this side of the actor so far. In barely a few seconds, he steals the show with his fantastic portrayal of a dark, reckless and spoilt man who is married. From the first frame to the last, the promo captivates you. Rest is based on the performances of the actors.

Peshwa Bajirao (Sony TV) - With many shows getting inspired from Bollywood films, we will get to see our own ‘Bajirao Mastani’ on television. Sony TV is all set to launch ‘Peshwa Bajirao’ and will take the 7.30 slot from January. ‘Peshwa Bajirao’ is a big budget show and the makers have spent a whopping 100 crore on it. The cast has actors like Anuja Sathe, Manish Wadhwa and Rudra Soni. The show focuses on the clashes between Bajirao and his father and later on, the love story of Bajirao-Mastani.

Chandrakanta ( Life OK and Colors)- Television’s classic drama ‘Chandrakanta’ is making a comeback and it is going to be a double dose for the viewers as two GEC’s are locking horns on the same story. Both the channels are bringing fresh adaptations of the novel, which inspired the TV series of the same name in 1994 on Doordarshan. Nikhil Sinha’s “Triangle Films”, who earlier made ‘Siya Ke Ram’, is helming the project for Life OK.

On the other side, Balaji Telefilms is making it for Colors. The silent war between the channels already began and both of them released the promos of the show on the same day with a few hours gap. The original ‘Chandrakanta’ is still remembered for its perfect casting, grandeur sets, and crisp plot.

Both the new versions have a tough competition to match up to. But watching the clash between Colors and Life OK, both the shows are set to face a bigger challenge against each other too. Only time will tell which channel will win the war of TRPs and become the audience’s pick.

Moh Moh Ke Daage (Sony TV) - The show according to the first preview seems to be set in Rajasthan. Niyati Fatnani, who was last seen in Channel V’s ‘D4’ is playing the role of marriage broker who questions Eijaz Khan regarding his perspective of the bride in the promo. According to the promo the show will present the relationship between 40 years middle aged person with a girl who is in her 20’s. How the society challenges their relationship will be for viewers to see.

Thaali (Star Plus) - Produced by Sukesh Motwani helmed by Bodhi Tree Multimedia Pvt Ltd, the show tentatively titled ‘Thaali’. Has popular actors like Shakti Arora and Mansi Srivastav in the cast. Well, there is no much information about it as of now. But the story revolves around three sisters and their lives. Mansi will be the youngest and the story will showcase high quotient of drama, emotional and entertainment.

Behane (Sony TV) - Television diva Sanaya Irani is all set to make a comeback with this show. Post ‘Meenu Mausi’, which was scrapped by Star Plus, Sanaya may play the lead role in ‘Behane’, which is produced by Beyond Dreams. The script is still being discussed and cast is yet to be decided for the show.

Rising Star (Colors) - Optimystix Entertainment will produce the show, which is slated for an early 2017 launch. It is a first-of-its-kind interactive engagement-led format, which puts the power of deciding a contestant's fate, in the hands of the viewers. Shankar Mahadevan and Diljit Dosanjh are the judges of the show.

Dil Hai Hindustani (Star Plus) - Produced by Frames Production, the show will celebrate the popularity of Bollywood music through talent from across the globe belonging to different cultures and nationalities, who are bonded together by their love for Bollywood songs. The judging panel consists of Karan Johar, Shekhar Ravjiani and Shalmali Kholgade. According to grapevine Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may be one of the judges on the show.