Telefilms set to make a comeback!

Star Plus, which had a successful run of its Star Bestsellers years ago, is all set to bring back the concept, albeit in a different format. Slotted as telefilms, each one will be of one-and-a-half hour duration and will probably be a weekend fare. The films will basically be love stories to be showcased under the block Teri Meri Love Stories.

The channel has commissioned established TV producers to make the telefilms. These include Rajan Shahi, Yash Patnaik, Pearl Grey, Neeraj Sachdev and Hemal Thakkar.  While Rajan has already finished shooting his film, the others are still to lock in the cast and finalise the location for their story. A source informs that Rajan’s  film is slated to be aired first.

When contacted, Rajan confirmed that he has shot a telefilm and that it is based in Pataudi. In fact his unit has just returned from Pataudi after shooting continuously for 14 days. When asked if the location had anything  to do with actors Kareena Kapoor and Saif’ Ali Khan’s impending wedding, Rajan denied it. “I just thought Pataudi was the perfect backdrop for the beautiful love story. We have also shot in Delhi and Mumbai,” he said. His film stars Gautam Rode, Vishal Punjabi,  Dimple Jhangiani  and the lead girl is being played by a newcomer Mala. Yash Patnaik’s  slice-of-life romcom based in Delhi has so far only Sahil Chhada confirmed do a pivotal role. The producer is looking out for the lead couple. The telefilm is being directed by Shashank Shah. 

For Hemal Thakkar, who has been clamouring for a separate slot for telefilms, this couldn’t have happened sooner. “Earlier there have been telefilms slots and we have all seen some very good telefilms. Importanly, interesting directors, writers and technicans have evolved from the telefilms they did in late ’90s . It drives a completely different form of story telling, is captured differently and even the production team has a fresh approach,” says Hemal.