MUMBAI: Over the last 21 years, Zee TV has entertained its viewers around the world with a variety of shows. The channel that is known to have been a trendsetter has done something remarkable once again. Acknowledging the presence of good shows on other General Entertainment Channels (GECs), at the recently held annual Zee Rishtey Awards 2013, Zee TV gave away the ‘Zee Anmol Ratna Awards’ to three shows on rival channels.

The three shows that were honored at the awards ceremony by Zeel managing director and CEO Punit Goenka, included Star Plus’ Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Colors’ Balika Vadhu and Sab’s Taraak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The channel awarded the shows for their impact of being original, creative and finely crafted works of fiction that continue to entertain audiences on television.

Punit Goenka felicitating Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma

The awards were given to the people behind these three shows - Rajan Shahi (Director’s Kut Productions) for producing Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Purnendu Shekhar, the writer of Balika Vadhu along with Asit Modi (Neela Telefilms), and Disha Vakharia, the producer and lead actress of Taraak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

Zee’s brand philosophy, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, is all encompassing as it embraces everyone in the world as a part of its family. This has been taken one step ahead by the ‘Zee Anmol Ratna Awards’.

Talking about it, Goenka said: “At Zee Rishtey Awards, we come to celebrate our relationship with our viewers but we also know that our viewers have a long standing relationship with shows from other channels…it’s time to acknowledge them.”

Excited at receiving the award, Shahi opined: “It is a very big honour to be receiving an award from Zee TV as in my career of 20 years, my best work has been on Zee and after a gap of four years, I am coming back with a new show on the channel.” 

Punit Goenka felicitating Purnendu Shekar, writer of Balika Vadhu

Shekhar said: “This award is extremely special.. Balika Vadhu has received various awards but this is the first time that I am taking away an award for the show from a competition channel. This is the first time ever that any channel has done it, and it is none other than Zee and hence proves that they were pioneers, are pioneers and will always be pioneers in the industry. My association with Zee goes back to the days of a very popular show called Amaanat. I have also written the script for another show on Zee called Saat Phere, which was equally big and won equal number of accolades as Balika Vadhu. At Zee, it always feels like I’m returning home.”

Modi added, “It is a big honour to be awarded by a competitor channel and it just proves that our bond with Zee TV is eternal. I would like to thank Zee and the entire team.”

Zee Rishtey Awards, 2013 will be telecast on 1 December at 8:00 pm on Zee TV.