‘Durgesh Nandini’ to replace ‘Bigg Boss’

A soap based on a Bengali literature classic will replace the reality show ‘Bigg Boss’

Sony will replace their big ticket reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ with a soap inspired by a classic piece of Bengali literature, Durgesh Nandini. The show, to be produced by Shobhana Desai, will launch either on January 29 or February 20, 2007.

Sony has been toying with the idea of a soap inspired by Durgesh Nandini for over a year now. Now that the channel needs to consolidate its position after gaining eyeballs with ‘Bigg Boss’, it seems an ideal time to introduce a period classic.

The story is about a village girl, who is named heir to a large estate, when her businessman father passes away. She has to shift to the city not just to manage the fortune but also to deal with a family who are alien as well as hostile to her, as she has turned up out of the blue and is the custodian to the entire business empire.

The cast is yet to be finalised, but indications are that Tassnim Sheikh, Anupam Bhattacharya and Shubhaavi will find their way into the serial. The hunt is still on for the lead actor. With ‘Durgesh..’, producer Shobhana Desai will now have two consecutive shows on Sony’s primetime - ‘Thodi Khushi Thode Gham’ at 9.30 pm, and the new show will air at 10 pm. Sony prefers to keep mum on this development.