2020: A year of embracing uncertainties

The year gone by has been nothing short of a tumultuous ride. The world was hit by the biggest pandemic that forced us to change in order to conform with new realities. While it robbed us of normalcy, luxuries, physical interface, it also put a halt to our entertainment avenues. The theatres closed their doors, the shooting studios fell silent and the entire entertainment industry was left scathed. But it did not stop us from connecting with our audience and we still continued to showcase exceptional content in the absence of fresh content. Social distancing and staying indoors became daunting and emotionally draining but entertainment kept all of us going and provided a brief window of distraction and to lift our spirits. Staying true to its DNA of providing world-class entertainment to its viewers, COLORS innovatively bridged the gap between its shows, characters, and viewers from home. Providing a myriad genre of content in the prime time and non-primetime hours, the channel helped the audience to find comfort in chaos. Even as we crawled back to normalcy, the channel was the industry first to roll back fresh content. Here is a quick look at the year gone by and of creating and conquering new milestones.

Embarking on an eventful journey

The new year paved the way for newer content that raised the bar of entertainment. One of the promising launches was of Barrister Babu set in the pre-independence era. Through 8-year-old girl Bondita’s lens, it sparked a debate questioning regressive societal norms. Just when she is about to fall victim to society’s evil practice, Anirudh rescues her and accepts her as his wife. However, unlike others, Bondita and Anirudh’s marriage personifies a fight that is a step towards making the world a better place for women in society. The central characters Pravisht Mishra aka Anirudh and Aura Bhatnagar aka Bondita stole viewers heart in no time and became audience favorite.

After bidding adieu to a blockbuster and remarkable season of Bigg Boss 13, COLORS launched its coveted reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 10. Shot in Bulgaria, the series featured some of the most popular stars on Indian television including Shivin Narang, Karishma Tanna, Karan Patel, Tejasswi Prakash, Dharmnesh Yelande, Adaa Khan, and Amruta Khanvilkar among others! However, owing to the unprecedented times, the show couldn’t run its full course and was postponed for later. 

Overcoming the bumps along the way  

With a mandatory lockdown imposed, the world came to a standstill and the shoots were also discontinued. With no new content in the pipeline, the programming strategies underwent a complete overhaul, and re-runs and erstwhile shows once again gained prominence.

Harnessing the Power of Nostalgia

Along from airing some of its most popular shows including Khatra Khatra Khatra, best of Comedy Nights with Kapil, COLORS also created a specially dedicated slot for airing mythological shows inducing nostalgia. Shows like BR Chopra’s Mahabharat and Dheeraj Kumar’s Om Namah Shivay instilled hope and kept the viewers entertained. Along with this, erstwhile shows including Karmpaldata Shani, Mahakali, and Ram Siya Ke Luv Kush also found a renewed audience as people found solace in mythological shows in tough times.

COLORS’ most popular show Balika Vadhu also made a comeback and Anandi’s endearing story once again stole everyone’s heart. Another pathbreaking show Na Aana Is Des Laado also made sure that the people were never starved for entertainment and enjoy the best of entertainment while staying safe indoors.

When the going gets tough, innovators get going. Staying true to this, COLORS created a show revolving around the artists’ quarantine experiences, shot safely from the confines of their homes. While the viewers missed their favorite characters on the tube, the channel provided the audience a glimpse into the quarantine life of the actors from its popular shows Choti Sarrdaarni, Shakti Astitva Ehsaas Kii, and others.

From sharing their experiences, cooking for each other, discussing the current issues, playing virtual antakshari, dancing together, to going on balcony dates, the actors’ lockdown diaries were aired as snippets. An all-new show Hum, tum aur Quarantine featuring Harsh Limbachiya and Bharti Singh was launched wherein through fun gags, they shared their experiences of self-isolation and how the couple is dealing with them together.

Celebrating the spirit of fighting back

As the new normal and isolation took over the lives of millions across the country, COLORS launched campaigns to lift the spirits as well as celebrate the real warriors. 

The lockdown made us rediscover ourselves and rekindle our passions. With this thought, Insaan Hua Unlock campaign was launched that encouraged people to find their missing selves and become aware of the things that matter most. Through a special brand film, the channel urged its viewers to accept the new daunting reality that has turned us into better human beings and continue to pursue what we love the most even after we attain normalcy.

In another campaign, Colors Ka Salaam, the channel paid and an ode to the frontline workers who tirelessly worked and continued their services even during the lockdown. In a unique interaction, the COLORS’’ artists Kunal Jaisingh, Jigyasa Singh, Puneett Chouksey, Avinesh Rekhi, Nimrit Kaur, Pravisht Mishra, Riya Shukla, Akshit Sukhija and Mahima Makwana interacted with the families of frontline workers including journalists, medical store workers, nurses, ambulance drivers, and doctors and exchanged experience while providing words of encouragement.                      

Back with a renewed spirit

On the heels of the first unlock, COLORS became the first channel to resume original programming with Khatron Ke Khiladi, Shakti Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and Barrister Babu, Choti Sarrdaarni, and others. In a first-ever virtual launch, the channel presented new fiction offering Ishq Mein Marjaawan, a romantic thriller, that highlights the journey of love and revenge through the lives of Riddhima (played by Helly Shah), Kabir (played by Vishal Vashishtha) and Vansh (played by Rahul Sudhir). 

Audience’s favorite Naagin 5 also returned had an exciting online launch as Ekta Kapoor’s iconic show made history with its fifth season! Starring Surbhi Chandna, Sharad Malhotra and Mohit Sehgal, the season’s story revolve around Brinda and Nayantara whose lives are intertwined due to their scarred past and that has a bearing on their future.

Presenting hard-hitting and impactful concepts have been integral to COLORS and furthering this grain of thought, the channel launched a new show Pinjara Khoobsurti Ka starring Riya Sharma and Sahil Uppal in leading roles that captures the journey of Mayura who is bestowed with the gift of beauty but it becomes her sole identity. Feeling imprisoned by her looks and allure, Mayura seeks someone who will love her for who she truly is and not only for her appearance.

In a similar endeavor, the channel launched  Molkki, a family drama, that outlines how the skewed sex ratio led to the bride buying custom which is still prevalent in Haryana. It is a story of a 19-year-old, Purvi, who is a ‘Mol ki Dulhan’, which means a bride bought in exchange for money. The show trails the journey and relationship of Purvi and Virender Pratap Singh who are bound by this custom and find themselves in a transactional relationship.

Recently, the channel launched Namak Isska Ka, a heartfelt romantic drama based in the heartland of Bihar, that traces the story of a Nachaniya Chamcham who is looked down own upon for her profession but in a twist of fate is married off into a reputable family in Mumbai. But as she tries to fend off prejudice, she sets out on a journey of finding her footing in the new family and eventually love.

Thus, COLORS strengthen its programming line with a slew of new launches in combination with its existing hit offerings Choti Sarrdaarni and Shakti.. Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii.  The fans of Choti Sarrdaarni continued to be entertained with the innumerable twists that changed the course of Meher, Sarabjit and Param’s life. The biggest one being the entry of Vikram Dewan played by Hitesh Bharadwaj and Dr. Aditi Kaur Gill played by Drishti Garewal. On the other hand, Shakti.. Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii saw a leap further tracing Soumya’s daughter Heers’s story played by Jigyasa Singh.  The new storyline showcased Heer’s journey of discovering her own identity as a kinnar and of finding love in Virat played by Simba Nagpal.

Reality in the virtual times

Picking up from where it was left, the channel resumed the new episodes of Khatron Ke Khiladi and further also launched its India leg Khatron Ke Khiladi Made in India hosted by action master Rohit Shetty. Being pacy, racy, and 100 % Desi, the show featured Nia Sharma, Karan Wahi, Jasmin Bhasin, Bharti Singh, Aly Goni,  Haarsh Limbachiyaa, Jay Bhanushali, Karan Patel and Rithvik Dhanjani as the contestants fighting it out to win the title.

Amidst much anticipation, India’s Biggest Reality show Bigg Boss returned with its 14^th season. Giving 2020 a befitting response, the Bigg Boss house for the first time featured all the elements that everyone has been devoid of owing to the pandemic including a theatre, mall, spa and restaurant. In a unique twist, the season started with the entry of a mix of contestants along with former contestants aka ‘The Seniors’ Sidharth Shukla, Gauahar Khan and Hina Khan. While the drama and entertainment continued to unfold, Bigg Boss recently welcomed challengers Rakhi Sawant, Rahul Mahajan, Arshi Khan, Manu Punjabi, Kashmera Shah and mastermind Vikas Gupta in the game who will fight for the coveted trophy along with the current contestants. 

Marching into 2021 with new hope

After a year that has taught us the value of life, good health and family than ever before, all eyes are now on the coming year. Apart from its exciting line up of shows, COLORS will launch its marquee dance reality show Dance Deewane. 

Here is wishing everyone a Happy New Year

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