Colors overhauls content with five new shows in January 2019

Viacom18's flagship Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) Colors is ramping up its programming with the launch of five new shows in January 2019.

The New Year will mark a fresh programming line-up, featuring shows such as Kesari Nandan, Gath Bandhan, Jhaansi Ki Rani, Khatron Ke Khiladi S9 and Courtroom. The new shows will span across genres such as historical, sports drama, crime and romance.

From January 1, Kesari Nandan will be aired at 8.30pm, every Monday to Friday. With Bigg Boss-12 in its final leg, the channel will replace its tent pole show with two programmes — romance drama ‘Gath Bandhan’ at 9pm and historical show ‘Jhaansi Ki Rani’ at 9.30pm on weekdays.

On weekends, the channel will feature another popular show Khatron Ke Khiladi at 9pm, followed by a crime show ‘Courtroom’ at 10pm. This is the first time the channel is experimenting with a crime show.

Nina Elavia Jaipuria

Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head, Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18, said, “The New Year will mark the advent of a fresh line-up of relatable content that will add newness to our bouquet of offerings. We will begin the year with the weekday prime-time, ‘Kesari Nandan’. The weekend primetime will be bolstered by ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and a crime-drama called ‘Courtroom’. Further along the way, we have gripping concepts in the form of ‘Jhaansi Ki Rani’ and ‘Gath Bandhan’ that will make the channel distinct and diverse.”

With Kesari Nandan, the channel is dealing with yet another experimental genre — sports drama. Produced by Contiloe Pictures and presented by Dabur Gulabari, ‘Kesari Nandan’, is based in Rajasthan and revolves around a girl who despite all odds embarks on a journey to conquer a male-dominated wrestling world.

The story starts with Hanumant Singh who trains young guns for wrestling in his akhada. He is a man who believes that men and women have set roles in the society and must remain confined to them. He is also a father who aspires for his son to win the country an Olympic gold medal in wrestling. But it’s his daughter Kesari who secretly harbours the desire to uphold her father’s legacy. With an undeterred resolve, Kesari sets off to do something unthinkable much against the will of her father and challenging the mindset along the way.

Jaipuria said, “‘Kesari Nandan’ is about an unlikely protagonist who braves all obstacles to become a national hero in a sport that continues to be associated with machismo and virility. It’s a poignant portrayal of a father-daughter equation that transcends beyond the four corners of their middle-class household to an akhada and eventually to the wrestling ring of the Olympics. We have devised an impactful on-air campaign called #KhelKesari to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and encourage women to take up sports. With support from stalwarts like Geeta Phogat and Mary Kom, we want to inspire girls to dream big and become beacons of change.”

Manisha Sharma

Speaking about the concept of the show, Manisha Sharma, Chief Content Officer, Hindi Mass Entertainment, Viacom18, said, “After having presented numerous shows with social messages and having in some way contributed to societal changes through these shows, Colors now brings a truly inspiring tale of this cute little aspirational girl called Kesari. She is someone who challenges the societal stereotype and triumphs her dream of becoming a champion wrestler albeit with the acknowledgement of her father. ‘Kesari Nandan’ captures the beautiful journey of this zesty, determined, hardworking young girl who overcomes difficult challenges to accomplish what she desires the most. It indeed is the story of every girl who dares to dream big and chase that dream, just like Mary Kom and Geeta Phogat, who have come forward to further this cause.”

Abhimanyu Singh, CEO, Contiloe Pictures, added, “‘Kesari Nandan’ is as close to reality as it gets. We have put in all resources to make the show look as authentic as possible. It’s an endearing story of a super positive girl who despite all odds embarks on a journey to conquer a male-dominated wrestling world.”

To promote the show, the channel has undertaken a campaign, #KhelKesari, to encourage sports. The channel has got on board two leading sportswomen, wrestler Geeta Phogat and boxer Mary Kom, in support of the #KhelKesari movement. The campaign will be promoted across the 25 channels of the network and on its digital and social media platforms.

Phogat said, “I applaud Colors for choosing a concept like ‘Kesari Nandan’. It is both unique and real and highlights the struggles that women have to face to make a name in extreme sports like wrestling. I can’t wait to watch it. I would like to tell all girls that if you believe in your dreams and work hard to achieve it, success will be yours.”

Kom stated, “It’s heartening to see the hardships of women, especially in the field of sports being highlighted in the mainstream mass media. I am looking forward to watching this show as it appears similar to my own aspirations and struggles. I wish the entire team the very best.”

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