Date:04/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020457720200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Fresh dose of entertainment

Popular show: Murali Mohan and others in ‘Shailu’.

A whiff of freshness is in the air for soap lovers on Telugu channels.

With almost all the channels busy on their drawing boards chalking out strategies for a new season, coming months will see a lot of new programming being churned out.

Some of the recent initiatives can be construed as a step towards meeting the challenge from the new entertainment channels appearing on the horizon in the battle for viewership slice.

Therefore, the year could really be crucial for the existing channels.

Each of the channels has at least one good show or a serial, with efforts clearly to consolidate on the success and stir out more recipes that could appeal to the viewing tastes.

The stress is on soaps and reality shows and most are trying to work within these parameters.

So, those glued to the telly for their daily dose of fun can look forward to more entertainment.

Speaking of serials, Maa TV has just added another one to its collection.

‘Shailu’, which seeks to chronicle the lives of an unwed mother and her abandoned daughter, is directed by Rasool, has been put on prime band of 7.30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday.

Rasool has to his credit some good serials such as ‘Nagastram’ and ‘Nagamma’.

Lakshmi plays the lead role and it also has Murali Mohan and Sri Ram in the cast.

More endeavours are in the line from the channels and those feeling tired of long running shows can look forward to a good break.

T. LALITH SINGH