MUMBAI: The suspense is finally over. Naam Gum Jayega,, the show that is set to replace the Balaji Telefilms blockbuster Kahaani Terii Merii(KTH), takes its bow on SET on 26 May.
During a press preview today to announce the launch of Naam Gum Jayega,, SET executive V-P Sunil Lulla said Sony Entertainment Network's flagship channel will now have a new roll out four times a year - a seasonal change so to speak.
The story about mistaken identities Naam Gum Jayega (NGJ) has been conceived by Shobna Desai productions, the house that spun the tale of the successful soap Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka.
According to SET's original programme guide schedule for May, KTM was to wind up on 15 May (Thursday) to make way for NGJ on 19 May (the following Monday). It is not clear why KTH has been given a week's extension. 
When asked to comment on the earlier than expected wrap-up of KTM, Lulla said he preferred not to dwell on the past but rather look ahead. 
Lulla said he had high expectations for NGJ, which has an eminent starcast in Kanwaljeet, Benjamin Gilani, Nandita Puri and the main protagonists Gauri Pradhan and Shilpa Kadam. With NGJ, the channel hopes to revive the magic it created with Ek Mahal ..., which ran for 1000+ episodes.
Talking about some of the other shows launching this season, Lulla said SET has tied up with Westside for an SMS based mobile telephony promotion in addition to the on-ground promotions for the Raageshwari anchored show Kuch Kehti Hai Yeh Dhun. The prizes for this show are being sponsored by Westside, the Tata-owned division Trent's lifestyle retail chain.
Asked for his views on the burning topic among the television fraternity - the fallout of conditional access system (CAS) implementation post-14 July - Lulla said: "It will unleash a period of turbulence and chaos. While the audience that have been, thus far, getting their entertainment quotient for a reasonable price, will obviously be peeved about the whole situation but it is unlikely that they are ready to make a compromise on their viewing choice."
When asked what the channel proposed to do to counter the expected losses, Lulla replied: "We shall market the One Alliance bouquet aggressively. From the niche metro areas, we shall be going into the remote interiors."

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