MUMBAI: A theatre group which plunged into TV programming nearly 18 years ago and is still going strong. Rakesh Chowdhary's Samvaad, the production house which has come up with serials such as Bante Bigadte, Chunauti, Mujrim Haazir, is gearing up to provide a variety of shows on Doordarshan.
Samvaad Video director marketing Anirudh Chowdhary states: "We are attempting something very different and unique on Doordarshan's metro channel with our travel show Duniya Ki Saire Kar Lo in the 9 pm Saturday slot. The programme will commence airing on DD metro from April end onwards." The Samvaad show is hosted by model Parinita Seth and the show's unit has travelled to several international locations. Chowdhary adds that the travel show is similar to Yatra, produced by Deepti Bhatnagar for Star Plus.
Samvaad is also seeking approval for its new projects and has already presented five pilots related to different genres - comedy, daily soaps, family drama, social sitcoms, classics and programmes with social relevance. Samvaad has also bagged the mandate for a commissioned programme Kahaani Junction which will be based on folk tales such as Panchtantra.
Currently, Samvaad has the following serials on air: Shikwa on DD 1 at 1 pm from Monday to Friday; Intezar Aur Sahi - rerun on DD metro at 2 pm - starring Gracy Singh of Amaanat and Lagaan fame; Aisa Bhi Hota Hai - a comedy on Wednesday at 7:30 pm.
"Our serials have been appreciated not just in India but also in Indonesia, Nepal, Mauritius, South Africa, UK, USA and Canada. Samvaad is now poised for further growth with many projects in the pipeline including a mega international joint venture. We have with us our loyal team of creative people many of who have made their debut with our production house," says MD Rakesh Chowdhary.
Chowdhary recently visited several areas in the northern and central belts of India to examine the possibility of sourcing content and producing serials for the upcountry DD channels.
Starting as a theatre group in 1982, Samvaad took its plunge into television programming in 1985 with its first sitcom Bante Bigadte. Seeing the need of the emerging television industry in India, Samvaad established its own professional video studio with its next venture Chunauti.
Mujrim Haazir was an attempt to translate a complex classic of the literary genius Bimal Mitra into a television serial. Its multi-starrer powerful drama Virasat, was appreciated when it was aired on Doordarshan's newly launched DD Metro channel some years back.
Anirudh Chowdhary, who oversees all marketing functions, says: "Samvaad has over 100 top advertisers in India on its client list. We have received support from Godrej Soaps, Hindustan Lever, Marico's Parachute, Johnson & Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser's Dettol amongst others."
Samvaad certainly seems to have got the right backing for its creative output!
