SI exceptional talents displayed on Zee

Rip offs of popular foreign shows and formats seems to be in vogue. After Business Baazigar, here's another Zee show that's heavily inspired by its firang version - come June, Zee TV will launch Shaabaash India that's based on the popular western record book, The Guinness Book of World Records.

While The Guiness…records the extraordinary feats of ordinary men, Shaabaash too works on similar lines but it has its desi flavour. Produced by Softocustelefilms, the show glorifies exceptional Indians who exhibit their skills in extreme circumstances. Hussain, who has earlier anchored Star Plus' Khul Ja Sim Sim, has been roped in to anchor this show.

"Through this show we intent to showcase people who possess unusual talents but have yet not got their due. It's a sincere effort on our behalf to set a platform for people who can make us feel nation-proud. He adds, "While Guinness boasts of world records, our intention is to promote our own kith-n-kin. The idea is to glorify raw and unheard talents in our country and showcase them to the viewers," elaborates, producer Abhilash Bhattacharya, who began his career by directing the hugely popular show on DD, Surabhi.

The show admittedly required a lot of research and the Shaabaash…team had initially approached Limca Book of Records to share their database with the show but since a few months it's been the joint effort of various documentary filmmakers and local co-ordinates who have hunted unusual talent from across the country. The team has already found forty participants and the hunt is still on for more.

Hussain, the star anchor of the show was an added benefit for the makers. "Hussain's affable nature and his innate warmth have helped us immensely while shooting the episodes. He is a natural when it comes to interacting with the participants," says Bhattacharya.
"Pride of the natuion is the underlying truth of Saabaash India," signs off Bhattacharya.

Some exemplary acts showcased by the participants