Fantasy flavour: Colors, Life OK bet big on ‘Chandrakanta’

With fantasy genre finding great traction with the audiences, channels are looking to introducing more of such shows in their programming mix. One such show that has found favour with not one but two channels is fantasy drama ‘Chandrakanta’.

Partly based on Devaki Nanadan Khatri’s novel of the same name, ‘Chandrakanta’ was a popular serial airing on Doordarshan in the 90’s. The series is now sought to be revived by both Life OK and Colors.

As is known, Life OK is in the process of revamping its content line-up and is looking at a fresh infusion of shows. Director Nikhil Sinha (of ‘Devon Ke Dev Mahadev’ fame) is making ‘Chandrakanta’ for Life OK. It is learnt from industry sources that the casting for the series has begun and the concept and story are in place. Promos for the series are already on air.

Meanwhile, Colors, riding high on the ‘Naagin 2’ wave (another fantasy-based series), is looking to refurbish its line-up with another strong story. Ekta Kapoor will be making ‘Chandrakanta’ for Colors. Raj Nayak, CEO – Hindi Mass Entertainment, Colors, tweeted on December 2, 2016: “Coming soon another Mega Serial ‘Chandrakanta’ @ColorsTV”. His tweet was accompanied by a teaser trailer of the show.

With two leading Hindi GECs vying for the show, it will be interesting how this developing unfolds. No launch date for the show on either channel has been announced, but the show is expected to hit the small screens in the first quarter of 2017.