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- Dubai 04:33 05:50 12:21 15:48 18:46 20:03
Indian Bollywood film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, (L) singer Shreya Ghoshal (C) and singer Sonu Nigam, judges for the The X Factor, the television music talent show contested by aspiring pop singers, pose on the set in Mumbai. (AFP)
Bollywood's ace producer and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is ready with his first Television serial 'Saraswatichandra'.
The initial teaser of the serial is out and it looks like Bhansali is trying to recreate the magic of his Bollywood blockbuster 'Devdas' on small screen.
It certainly gives the feel of opulence and grandeur and is made on a big scale often associated with project under Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
'Saraswatichandra', based on a popular Gujarati novel with the same name, is actually a story of unrequited love.
The show has colourful Gujarati setting, similar to Sanjay’s film 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' starring Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan.
Popular TV actress Jennifer Winget will make her comeback with this show, opposite 'Nach Baliye 5' host Gautam Rode.
However, stepping into television industry wasn't a cake-walk for Bhansali. Several hurdles came his way which resulted in the delay of the show.
The pilot for the show was shot in January 2012 but in May, the filmmaker said that the novel is a huge four-volume literary material. The work is in progress but he would talk about his TV stint later.
Then actors Jennifer Winget and Gautam Rode were roped in a year ago with the promise that they would play the leads in the show. However, for long they were completely unaware of any developments.
The actors had no news on when the show will go on the floors. They shot the pilot about seven-eight months ago and were extremely thrilled with the concept. Then nothing was heard from the production house.
As per reports Bhansali constructed a three storey set in Dubai's Film City where the initial part of the serial has been shot.
Going by Bhansali's reputation of filming songs exquisitely, making beautiful women look like luscious works of art and creating magical chemistry between lead actors we hope to see similar master work from the ace filmmaker.
The serial will be aired on Star Plus at 8pm replacing 'Kaali- Ek Punar Avataar.'
Bhansali is not the first producer to step into the small screen.
In 2010, Yash Raj Films had aired a number of serials with a unique storyline on Sony TV. 'Mahi Way', 'Rishta.Com' and 'Seven' are some that came for a short while but thoroughly entertained the masses.
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