Koi Nahin? (Article)

Missing Jassi Ahluwalia? Still think Jassi jaissi koi nahin? Sony has found seductive ways of weaning Jassi addicts away from the week-night fix. Two new serials produced by two of the most reputed software makers have been roped in to do the needful.

Beginning on June 5, every Monday night at 10 pm, Aroona Irani who has had massive success with soaps like Des Main Nikla Hoga Chand on Star and Mehndi Rang Layegi on Zee brings to Sony a new woman-oriented weepie called Vaidehi.

According to Sony sources, Aroona hopes to eradicate the slur of a flop show, Rabba Ishq Na Hove, on Zee, with Vaidehi on the rival channel. Interestingly, Aroona has moved away from her favourite leading lady Sangeeta Ghosh (who's apparently busy with Ravi Chopra's Viraasat to go on Star in June) to cast Pallavi Kulkarni, the leading lady of Star's now-defunct Kehta Hai Dil, in the title role of Vaidehi. Sachin Sharma who played Krishna in Star's Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii will costar with Pallavi.

Says the Sony source, "The failure of Aroona's last serial has left her shell-shocked. She has had almost cent-per-cent success on television before Rabba Ishq Na Hove. She's more determined than ever to bounce back with Vaidehi."

The other Jassi-replacement, this one for Tuesday nights beginning June 13 is Man Mein Hai Vishwas produced by veteran software churner Dheeraj Kumar.

Actor-turned-TV-producer Dheeraj Kumar goes back a long way on the home medium. He has produced successful soaps like Sansar and some mythologicals for Doordrashan. This time on Sony, Kumar is bringing an entirely new experience. Man Mein Hai Vishwas will feature a series of stories on the supernatural experiences of ordinary people.

Sony says, "We've had great success with outright horror shows like Aahat and also with thrillers like CID. But this is the first time that we're doing a straight-on take on supernatural experiences and human faith in inexplicable phenomena."

It's interesting to note that decades ago such shows propagating occult-supernatural experiences were banned on National Television. Today the scenario on satellite television is such that every genre of software is welcome.

With Aroona Irani's Vaidehi and Dheeraj Kumar's Man Mein Hai Vishwas occupying Sony's prestigious slot vacated by Jassi, it's time for the channel to cross its fingers and hope the substitutes work. "It's always tough to replace a long-running addictive soap. We hope Aroona and Dheeraj with their long experience on the home medium will divert audiences' attention into the new experience." Two other major serials will come on air shortly to occupy the Wednesday and Thursday primetime slots vacated by Jassi.