Small Screen Attractions

Gorilla School’ on Animal planet

‘Gorilla School’ on Animal planet follows the remarkable story of the release of captive-born gorillas back into the wild. Some of these gorillas were abandoned by their mothers and have been rescued and hand-reared in England. Now they are ready to travel to Gabon in Africa to join the world’s most successful gorilla re-introduction programme.

Big Love Season 4 on America Plus

HBO’s Golden Globe winning Big Love returns with a dramatic fourth season and as if juggling three wives weren’t tricky enough, we find modern polygamist Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton) tackling problems outside his three-house suburban home. Bold, funny and wholly original, Big Love continues to explore the evolving institution of marriage through this typically atypical family.

The Jonathan Ross Show on BBC Entertainment

Charming, witty, and occasionally bawdy, television

presenter Jonathan Ross is the host of this hugely 

successful chat show. Jonathan interviews big-hitters

including the iconic big-screen star Tom Cruise, 

comic actor Ben Stiller, British national treasure 

Stephen Fry and the man dubbed the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ 

by People magazine, Wolverine star Hugh Jackman, 

also pop in for a chat.

The Restaurant UK Series 2 on BBC Lifestyle

Passionate chef Raymond Blanc is back in this highly emotional series which gives one couple a chance to realise their dream: to open and run their own restaurant.

By the end of the series, just one couple and one restaurant remains open. So which of the couples has the flair, passion and business acumen to please Raymond in the industry to which he has dedicated his life?

Bachchan Jr celebrates Mithun Da’s B’day on Dance India Dance Li’l Masters

Abhishek Bachchan celebrates Mithun Da's 63rd birthday on DID Lil Masters-2. The cute kids on Zee TV’s DID Li’l Masters haven’t stopped trembling with fright yet … after all, a visit from the ‘Raavan’ is bound to send shivers down their little spines.

Abhishek landed up on the sets of Zee TV’s immensely popular dance reality show to celebrate his favourite Mithun Da’s 63rd birthday. Ever since he was a child, whenever Dada visited the Bachchan household, little Abhishek would insist that the original ‘Disco Dancer’ teaches him some cool moves from his latest dance hits.

Abhishek would then use those very moves in all the dance competitions he would participate in as a kid. Ever since, the two have shared a great bond. “Mithun Da holds a very special place in my heart right since my childhood and I’m certainly not letting go of this chance to celebrate his birthday.” It was at Bachchan Junior’s request that a giant strawberry cake with the letters ‘GM’ denoting ‘Grand Master’ was rolled up on stage. What followed was a grand celebration with the judges, the skippers and the kids digging into the yummy cake and dancing to Abhishek’s popular dance Hit ‘One Love’.

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2010 ME auditions on air very soon on Zee TV

Judges-sajid and wajid

Sajid and Wajid rocked Dubai for Zee TV’s famed reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa singing sensation. The most wanted duo were in town recently to judge the Middle East auditions for the show and to take back with them the talented singers who could be the next singing sensation!

Finalist Ms Ritvika Rathore with her parents

The first final contestant Daniel KC collecting his letter

The registration for the auditions started online few weeks back but even the walk-ins were welcomed and given the chest numbers. The auditions which were taking place at the City Seasons Hotel in Deira attracted a lot of attention, as there was music all around.

Nasir Chaudary Finalist

Seeing the enthusiasm of the crowd both the judges did not impose any time restriction for any performance. Every contestant sang whatever they were prepared. For those who did not make it to the next round did learn a lot from the maestros and want to take part only in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa challenge next year as they all know that only this platform has given the music industry in India some of the finest singers like Kunal Ganjawala and Shreya Goshal.

Tamara Finalist

The judges had called for the auditions to stop and continue for their second round on another day but the contestants were highly motivated and enthusiastic to show their talent the same night and seeing this the mentors did not take any break and went onto to select 20 contestants to fly to India for their next round of auditions in Mumbai, India.

Mr Manoj Mathew-Business Head-South Asian channels-Zee Network and RJ Pooja_Jamming the auditions!!

They were quoted saying and agreeing upon a sad but true fact “The pool of talent out here is huge but what we find sad to hear is that majority of the contestants when they were in their home countries they had practiced but since the shift to this part of the world many of these beautifully blessed talents have given up the training required by a good singer ”

Finalist From Pakistan: Ali Rao

They also gave a motivational speech to the finalists before they came in for the 2nd round of auditions. They narrated their obstructions which they had faced and their struggle to come to the humble position and have worked very hard to earn the respect they now have in the industry and with millions of fans worldwide.

Shoaib Ahmed Finalist

At the end they said “The fight in India is tough because contestants over there are not only just singers but also performers” which justifies the whole reason for this show to have that high levels of entry as the singers have to be very versatile and all rounders. The lucky few who have been selected will now have to give their best vocals and performances when they reach India for which we wish each one of them the very best!

Mazha on Asianet

An extensive travel  through Kerala where monsoons releases  nostalgic and everlasting moments.

The programme attempts to provide  a sketch of Monsoon's influence in our society — for example, in literature — where there are many creations sketching the rain smartly. There gazals, soaked in rainy ragas expressing the love for rain.
 Vox Pop with many noted personalities on their feelings for rain. 'Mazha' attempts to capture the  warmth and exotic feel of Monsoon in different places of Kerala.

 Asianet is all set to telecast Mazha on every Sunday  from  13.30  to 14.00.

Happy Holidays on Asianet Plus

A new kids special programme Happy Holidays on Asianet plus is an opportunity for children to have some fun during the holidays. Kalabhavan Navas and young stars of the silver screen present the show, which is full of magic tricks, jokes, riddles and other fun activities. There is also a phone-in segment where viewers can chat with young celebrities like munch star singer juniors, film/serial stars etc.

Asianet Plus is all set to telecast “Happy Holidays” on every Monday to Friday at 19.00.

Harichandanam: A new serial on Asianet.

Starting Date: May 24, 2010.

Time: Monday to Friday from 19.00 to 19.30

Harichandanam is the story of two young girls, Uma and Unnimaya. They are in the midst of rejection and poverty and fight their way through the bitter realities of life.

Uma and Unnimaya are the daughters of Pothuval, who is a master of the art of Kathakali. Pothuval is both mother and father to Unnimaya, a music student and Uma, who is old enough to be married off, for they are motherless. Uma is just s simple girl behind the scenes, whereas Unnimaya is bold enough to face the realities of life and become victorious.

A couple of events at a temple festival changes the life of Unnimaya forever. The scene takes a bad turn, when Unnimaya’s friend Hafiz, takes part in the temple festival  creating confrontation with the authorities. At the moment, a young man by the name Mahadevan comes to her rescue.  It is then that Unnimaya comes to know that he is the sub-inspector in charge of that place. He takes her to   his house and tries to molest her.  Somehow she escapes from there.

Unnimaya invites singer Niranjan for a programme in her music college. She had the privilege to accompany him for the song, which was penned by her. Niranjan was impressed by her song and rewards her with an opportunity to sing for films.

Mahadevan lusts for Unnimaya even more and tries to ensure her with a marriage proposal and presents  before Pothuval through a  Poti. But the marriage is done in a hurry, without following the traditional customs.

Mangalathu Rajeswari Amma, mother of Mahadevan, always holds family status and money as its priority in a marriage, stresses an amount of 501 sovereigns of gold as dowry, because of which Pothuval is forced to sell the house. On the very day itself, Rajeswari Amma finds that there is a shortage in the dowry, making the beginning of a miserable life for Uma. Mahadevan on the other hand acts as an obedient son  and a loving husband.

The battle with the realities of life continues in Harichandanam……..

Cast: Sarath, Kishore, Kaladharan and Sujitha.

Directed and Produced By Baiju Devaraj (Sandras Communications)

Nammal Thammil completes 700 episodes in Asianet

The weekly talk show airing on Asianet and presented by the affable Sreekandan Nair, completes 700 episodes. Over the years the show has tackled incredibly diverse topics ranging from politics to mimicry. Through an intense debate between the panel and the audience, the show has given a forum not only to public officials and celebrities but also the common man too, to make his voice heard.

Sreekandan Nair

Asianet telecast’s Nammal Thammil  on every Saturday at 22.00.