Zindagi channel, with its first non-fictional show Shukriya, is going to offer people a platform to exhibit their real emotions which will last as a memory for those they wish to thank. By Riya Sharma
When was the last time you thanked your parents for the struggle they have gone through to make you what you are todayIJ Often, we take our loved ones for granted and underestimate the power of a smile, an honest compliment or a thoughtful act.
We forget to say shukriya to those who have touched our lives; be it our parents, friends, siblings or even strangers who give us a helping hand.
Zindagi, the channel which has always believed in giving unique and differentiated content has launched its first non-fictional show, Shukriya. The show aims to bring people together with its unique content that is based on the lives of real people with real emotions. When asked how is the show different from other reality showsIJ “The show is not at all dramatised, it is not scripted, what you see on screen is the reality of real people. We wanted to keep away from the regular stuff but keeping the emotional appeal intact, we came up with the format of the show”, says Priyanka Datta, Business Head, Zindagi& FTA cluster.
The show would see people contacting the host to share the incident and the person involved. People would be seen telling their stories and the reason why they are thankful to the person. Then, the creative team of the show will create a situation wherein the person related would not have the slightest idea of what is going to happen next. The host would give a venue and timing to bring the concerned person at the mentioned place. The team would create a set-up where the person would be thanked in front of camera.
A preview of an episode depicts the story a younger brother saying shukriya to his elder brother. As their father was a vegetable vendor, he asked his sons to opt for the same occupation. But, the elder brother fought for his brother and stressed on teaching him further. The younger brother then informs the host that his brother always wanted to be a movie star but due to the poor condition of the family, he had to forget about his dream. In the episode, the team created a set of a shoot for a short film where the supposed actor does not act the way he is expected to. Thus, the elder brother is roped in for the movie and is made to feel like a star. The elder brother is called in a theatre to have a look at the scenes which he shot the day before. The movie, with instances from his real life and scenes from shoot are shown on the big screen and at the end of the show, the younger brother came to the front and told why he wanted to say shukriya.
The show will feature people from different walks of life, saying shukriya to someone who has played a crucial role in their life. “People will exhibit their real emotions and this is how our show is different from other non-fictional shows. The other shows are usually scripted and thus the emotions which come out are usually, fake. But, in our show, people had no idea how to react and this is what most of us experience at a time when we are surprised, adds Datta.
The channel which has earlier received tremendous response from the audience for airing shows from Pakistan on Indian television aims to provide and inspire people with this new venture as well. “Shukriya is designed to urge people to pause life; reflect, acknowledge and appreciate the good things that life has given. It’s about finding the time to stop and thank people who make difference in our lives,” says Sunil Buch, Chief Business Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises ltd (ZEEl).
As there are no actors in the show, the team of Zindagi selected stories of people who actually made a difference in someone's life. “We at Shukriya feel that it is the time to thank those who have always stood there for us without any vested interest. We appreciate the generosity and kindness that these people possess and thus we think it is important to make them special.” says Datta.
The show will have “pure and unadulterated emotions,” adds the Business Head. For her, the show unlike other soap operas does not believe in making people cry all the time. “It is a happy space which won’t make you feel depressed. The show, in fact will bring out the optimism which is actually lacking in today’s world,” says Datta.
Gunjan Utreja, host of the show feels that he is blessed to be associated with a show as this. “The show is different as a lot of things are left on the anchor to decide. Stories, situation and emotions change from episode to episode,” says Utreja.
The host is no exception when it comes to getting emotional on the show. Utreja, who has earlier hosted Zindagi Ki Haqeeqat se Aamna Samna and See Taare Mastiii Mein informs, “While my audition, I was supposed to thank someone's mother, and by the end of it, I was in tears because the concept is genuine with no added spice and drama”. He adds that there were times when the entire crew would be having a great laughter because he had cracked some joke, but 15 minutes into shooting and learning about someone’s struggle would leave them in tears.
On being asked, whom the actor would like to say shukriya to in his lifeIJ He excitedly replies, “There are a lot of people that I want to say shukriya to especially my parents. The reason that I am here, is because of them. The values that they inculcated in me have made me a kind and a generous person. They are happy seeing me living my dream,” says the host.
The show which will premiere from Sunday has been shot in Delhi, Mumbai and parts of northern India.