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It is not everyday that schoolchildren get much time to watch television programmes as overcautious parents do not for a minute forget to remind them of their homework and their textbooks which they say will help them make their future bright. But in these holidays, it is not only the children but the parents would also find it hard to resist what the various channels have to offer. Cartoon Network and Pogo have lined up a variety of programmes which include some local productions too even as Turner International makes additional investments in India. An indicator to the localisation taking place in Pogo, is announcement of two local shows, while Turner International India MD Anshuman Misra said the company was investing in local content and infrastructure too. According to Misra, Turner International recently obtained government permission to make additional investments here, which will be used in local productions. Turner has also invested in a post-production studio here where Cartoon Network and Pogo-related work will be undertaken. The star attractions of the summer entertainment line up on Pogo include the Indian TV premiere of the second instalment in the Harry Potter film series — Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets on May 22. The movie will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. On the other hand, Cartoon Network will launch its ninth local acquisition, Vikram Aur Betaal, on June 19 as part of its summer holidays Movie Masti franchise.
The latest additions on Pogo’s schedule demonstrates this commitment to "innovate and entertain with a keen eye on quality and relevance," he said. Pogo’s third local production and its first indigenous series — M.A.D — is an off-the-wall, interactive journey for eight to 12-year-olds and their families and is filled with fun tabletop ‘makes’, dynamic performances, humour and some art stunts in the studio and in nearby towns. Each episode presents an everyday theme, which is then creatively explored and unravelled with the help of real-life examples. An in-depth review of concepts and themes by Indian art teachers and references to school curriculum make the show relevant to Indian children, while exposing them to a healthy mix of local arts and crafts, global images and studio props. Bam! Bam! Bam! Gir Pade Hum is a game show for eight to 12-year-olds with laughs by the dozen and the chance to find a champion team. Premiering in June, the show is all about Victory Is In The Balance! In addition, Pogo’s special summer movie block, ‘May Movie Magic’ premieres all-time favourite children’s movies such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang apart from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Cartoon Network re-kindles the Potter-magic by airing, for the first time, a non-animated feature, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Vikram Aur Betaal is produced by the Hyderabad-based Green Gold studio and this full length 2-D animation movie is based on the age-old story of the brave King Vikramditya and his quest to capture the clever ghost, Betaal. The movie will be aired in English and Hindi on June 19 and is Cartoon Network’s ninth local acquisition. Additionally, Cartoon Network will launch a brand new action adventure series Beyblade, under the Toonami block on May 20. It revolves around a teenager martial arts student, Tyson, as he perfects his technique of Beyblading that involves harnessing the mystical powers of customised spinning tops known as Beyblades. — UNI Gauri’s special squad
THE mild-mannered Nandini of Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi has decided to shed her mangalsutra, along with her soft feminine side. Instead Gauri Pradhan has transformed on-screen into a hard-as-nails cop in the forensic thriller Special Squad on Star One. As head of the Special Squad, Gauri’s role is to decipher hopelessly entangled cases. The 1997 Miss India finalist who was earlier signed for just four episodes is now reportedly doing the entire series. "I’m going to enjoy doing this as it will give me an insight to the human psyche. I have always been interested in psychological counselling and have even done a course in it," says the visibly excited star. Gauri, who was recently nominated for the MTV Lycra Style Awards, in the category Most Stylish Person on television says that it was fun doing Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi but she’d been looking for a change. Considering that Kyunkii... has taken another of its time leaps, Gauri should thank her stars that she is doing something other than playing a toothless 70-year-old ducky. Sharon’s TV practice
With an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe under her belt, Sharon Stone has turned to a medium she’s never been fond of i.e. television. And that despite the fact she started her career in the 1980s on cop dramas like Remington Steele T.J. Hooker and Magnum P.I. Her latest appearance on TV has earned her rave reviews. In The Practice, she plays an attorney who claims to talk to God. "The one-minute-nutty-next-minute-normal-act was a roller coaster experience," gushes Stone who won an Emmy for her effort. Hopefully the role
should bring back some of the appeal she has been losing with her recent
films like Catwoman and Cold Creek Manor failing to excite
the box office. Sharon Stone would do well to stick to the small screen
and hope that Shekhar Kapoor’s new untitled film on Buddha opposite
Richard Gere changes her on-screen fortune. — NF |
FOR
the young ones addicted to the idiot box, this summer will prove a real
bonanza with every channel attempting to outshine each other.
Announcing the line-up,
Turner Entertainment Networks Asia senior vice president and general
manager Ian Diamond said, "As leaders in the kids’ TV segment, we
are constantly providing our fans a combination of world-class
programming with local productions and acquisitions."
SHE’S
the queen of the erotic thriller who shook up the world of films playing
the bisexual nymphet in Basic Instinct. The film not just
catapulted her to superstar status but put her in the league of stars
like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Mansfield.