'Vishal Karwal's popularity is seen on your site' - Ashvini Yardi

Ashvini Yardi, Programming Head of Colors in an exclusive conversation with TellyBuzz talks about the new launches, the strategic twists planned in the fiction as well as non-reality show airing on the channel.

What's the USP of your new show Rishton Se Badi Pratha that is launching next week at the 7.30 PM slot?
It is a love story in the backdrop of the bottling issue in the North of India, Honour Killings. We have always created couples who can create magic, like Dutta Bhau and Nakusha. Here, we have Abhay and Surbhi who fall in love but have to face certain consequences. We have the backdrop of Noida here for the story.

Pratha went thro' a lot of cast changes before getting ready for its launch. How do you think the final product has shaped up?
We are happy and confident about the show. Viewers have always supported us and we look forward to a good beginning here. COLORS has always provided variety in its programming, and we want to continue this pattern with Pratha too.

Thoda Hai Bas Thode Ki Zaroorat Hai goes off air with Pratha taking its slot. Do you think Thoda Hai was a non-starter for COLORS, when compared to the huge TRPs that Star Plus gets from that particular slot?
Thoda Hai… was a different kind of show which was based on the issues within a family. We dealt with a typical Mumbai middle class family, unlike our other subjects. I personally liked this show, but agree that the ratings never did go up.

What do you have to say about the early evening slots gaining popularity?
I always believe that if you put a good show, no matter what time it is aired there will be people to watch it. Shows improve with word of mouth and that leaves us with more time to experiment.

Vishal Karwal has been your lead in Bhagyavidhaata. Why did you repeat him in Pratha?
Vishal's role in Bhagyavidhaata was ending, and we wanted to keep our good actors with us. We were basically looking for a good actor for this particular role, as the story ahead is very different with many twists and turns. Above all, Vishal played a different role in Bhagyavidhaata. He was rushed into a marriage, but here we have little more time to play with his character before he gets married. In Pratha, you will see him to be a guy who is lot more independent, and romantic. And the best part is that Vishal has a big fan following, and you can get a hint of it from your own site.

Lots of fiction shows on COLORS are approaching big high points, especially Laagi Tujhse Lagan, Uttaran, Bhagyavidhaata, Na Aana Is Desh Laado. Can we get particulars about all these shows?
The wedding in Uttaran takes place on 11th this Saturday. Bhagyavidhaata takes a 20 year leap tonight. There is still time for the leap in Laado and we will be talking about it later. Laagi Tujhse Lagan will have the big wedding on November 13th.

What is the present status of Maati Ki Banno? The promos have also been pulled off. Will it be taking a 7PM slot?
We are not yet ready to talk about Maati Ki Banno, so we are not airing the promos as of now. Bhagyavidhaata is taking a big leap and will remain at the 7 PM slot. As for Maati Ki Banno, we have not decided on the time slot yet.

Bigg Boss is going to see its first ever marriage. What are the preparations for it? Will we be seeing celebrities gracing the wedding?
Well, Ali and Sara have not given us much time to get into elaborate preparations. Even then, we are trying to make it big. Vikram Phadnis will be designing their clothes, and Sara will get to wear expensive jewelry. Otherwise, we plan to keep the marriage low profile, as we cannot get the celebrities attending the wedding as the format does not allow for it. However, the couple's parents will be getting into the house to bless them.

We recently saw the Golmaal 3 team interacting with Salman in Bigg Boss. What is the next movie integration that will happen?
We will see Break Ke Baad team coming on Bigg Boss very soon.

COLORS has the premiere of Dabangg happening.
Yes, Dabangg will air on 28th at 8 PM. We are planning something special with the cast for promos. If you have observed, we have already started airing the ad films, and these will have certain popular instances from the movie in them.

Reporter and Author: Srividya Rajesh