While comedy and kids - based reality shows ruled the roost, hard-hitting and progressive shows gave a new meaning to television viewing this year. From humour-based shows to elaborate dramas to high on action shows, &TV launched shows cutting across genres while opening newer avenues and setting benchmarks in the industry. As we gear up to embrace the new year expecting a whole lot of furore, let’s look at the year gone by…
Of debuts and television comebacks…
2017 saw some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry on &TV. Starting with Sunil Shetty being a part of the most ‘dumdaar’reality show, India’s Asli Champion to singer Palak Muchhal and Papon joining the bandwagon along with Himesh Reshammiya and Shaan on The Voice India Kids, the channel roped in some of Bollywood’s biggest names. The year also witnessed actor Tanvi Azmi’s return to the small screen in a double role for a south fiction adaptation Vani Rani, a unique tale of identical twins. The year ended with a bang as Commonwealth Gold winner and wrestler Babita Phogat made a special appearance on &TV’s popular show Badho Bahu.
Celebrations all year around…
This year, &TV welcomed festivals and seasons by treating the audience with entertaining specials like ‘Pyaar Ki Barish’ and ‘Rishton Ke Rangon Ki Holi’ across its prime time shows. However, it was ‘& It’s Diwali’ that stole people’s heart away with televisions favourites like Mouni Roy, Adaa Khan, Ravi Dubey, Dheeraj Dhoopar and many others dancing along with &TV artists making the festivities and celebrations larger than life.
A New Era on Television…
Ending the year on a high note, &TV launched a differentiated fiction offering Meri Hanikarak Biwi. The show breaks all stereotypes by delving into a matter that the Indian society still shies away from talking about - Vasectomy. The show intends to dismiss the stereotypes around masculinity and highlight how ‘being a man’ is a lot more than being authoritative or merely advancing one’s family legacy.
Bringing Bollywood to small screen, &TV narrated a passionate ‘hate’ story between a background dancer and a Bollywood star with Siddhivinyak. The show captures the essence of every emotion be it- hatred, drama, power or love with an extremely impactful narrative. One thing which has caught viewers’ attention is the love-hate sizzling chemistry on screen!
Moving away from convention, &TV launched Half Marriage that explored an unusual marital bond born out of political influence and cultural beliefs. It traces the life of Arjun and Chandni with starkly different personalities and their dilemma to stay married. The viewers are yet to witness if yeh shaadi jung layegi…yeh shaadi rang layegi!
Vani Rani marked the comeback of Tanvi Azmi in a double role. Vani Rani was an adaptation of a popular South Indian show with the same name. It chronicled the lives of middle-aged twin sisters who were two sides of the same coin. Though married into the same family and living as sisters-in-law, the two don’t talk to each other and live a life like the banks of a river… they may move in the same direction, but will the two ends ever meet?
&TV narrated the stories of ‘Gokul Ke Nandlal’, revered as Lord Shri Krishna, through its magnum opus show Paramavatar Shri Krishna. The show highlights the journey of Krishna to becoming an Indian superhero as he defied norms and charted out a new way of life. Nirnay Samadhiyawho essays the role of the natkhat kanhaiya has become one of the most loved characters on Indian television.
A power-packed punch of Reality…
The Voice India Kids – Season 2
With The Voice India gaining such accolades from the viewers, The Voice India Kids season 2 was launched in November 2017. Joining the musical journey to scout for India’s little music magicians were 4 coaches - music director and singer Himesh Reshammiya, the ever smiling and inimitable singer Shaan, the soulful singer-composer - Papon and singer Palak Muchhal.
Comedy Dangal
The year progressed on a rib-tickling note as a battalion of comedians took over the tube. This battalion was led by the laughter queen Bharti Singh who turned judge for the first time along with music composer Anu Malik, who made his debut in comedy genre with the show. Battling it out in two teams were a bunch of well-known artists and famous comedians, who tickled everyone’s funny bones with skits or stand-ups. Loaded with fun and laughter, countless punches and hilarious moments, the season ended on a high note leaving the audience wanting for more.
India’s Asli Champion... Hai Dum!
Music Ki Pathshala
To offer children a platform to learn and enhance their skills is rarely seen on television. But &TV decided to launch their very own music school through which 20 talented music prodigies were given a platform to expand their horizons and learn music under the supervision of one new mentor in every episode. The show also had no eliminations and focused only on learning. The show saw the likes of the Kakkar Siblings, Harsh Deep Kaur, Shaan, Anu Malik, Javed Ali coming together to give lessons in music. Driving this school and making a comeback on small screen as host was the very entertaining singer Rahul Vaidya.
What continued to rule hearts…
Amongst the varied bouquet of offerings presented by &TV, while the viewers developed fondness for the new ones, the old ones continued to be audience favourites. The catchphrase ‘Sahi pakde hai’ from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai continued to stand out as the audience witnessed their favourite characters get into unique avatars. From Dracula to a police inspector to a nurse, the characters on the show sustained viewers’ love and appreciation through quirky yet funny sequences. The viewers relived the journey of Makhanchor Kanha with the show Paramvatar Shree Krishna as the channel successfully unfolded the mesmerizing stories of Radha-Krishna and their friends. Badho of Badho Bahu continued to be the audiences’ favourite Bahu as she stepped into the akhada backed by her father-in-law and husband. Agnifera also managed to entertain the audience with the quirky tale that started with alliance bred out of groom kidnapping.