Getting ‘real’ in Delhi

New Delhi has been featured in many Hindi films — either as a backdrop or just as a location. However, the capital has not featured in the scheme of things for too many television shows.

Zee TV’s show 12/24 Karol Bagh is one of the few TV serials on the life of Delhiites that has been shot entirely in real location in Delhi. Moreover, even the cast and the crew members are from Delhi. This is a welcome change as most TV shows are shot in studios in Mumbai, though they showcase different parts of the country.

Akash Chawla, marketing head of Zee TV, says, “12/24 Karol Bagh has an edge over other shows because we are shooting in Delhi, which is also the hometown of most of the actors and technicians on the show. The language with its finer nuances in the background of Delhi gives the authentic feel. Since the inception of TV, most of the shows have been shot in Mumbai.”

Since the beginning, the show has been cashing in on favourite attractions of Delhi which includes places like Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple, Connaught Place, Parliament House, Delhi University and so on. The markets, lanes and bylanes of Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Chandni Chowk are also making their presence felt.
The plot of the show revolves around a middle class family where the members are torn in situations involving relationships.

Akash says, “The story deals with relationships. Every character has a story of their own, but not similar to each other. For example one daughter falls in love with a guy younger to her and another goes for a married man. We are sure that others productions will follow suit and explore Delhi as a city to shoot in.”