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 Soap operas are an integral part of TV viewing. But the exaggerated drama depicted in the soap operas have taken their toll on the elevision-viewing women. Women are now tired of these operas and are in dire need of newer plots and a breath of fresh air. Catering to this need, Vijay TV, which introduced 'Kanaa Kaanum Kaalangal', a clutter breaker, introduces '8.30ikku Enna Parkalaam', a novel concept in which the viewers choose what they want to see.
Six different stories… over six weeks… a galaxy of stars… wide display of emotions… but only one winner chosen by the public. This is an opportunity where viewers decide which mega serial they would like to watch.
The concept
The viewers would be presented with six different stories to choose from. Every week the viewers would be introduced to a new story over four days i.e., Monday–Thursday at 8.30 p.m. Each of the six stories are presented to the viewers by actress-turned-director Suhasini Maniratnam who takes the viewers through the plot. Within these four episodes, the main plot and the key characters would be introduced.
To know the pulse of the audience for each of the stories; they would be shown to a studio audience who pass unbiased views on each of the stories while interacting with the cast and crew. In a special one-hour episode on Sunday mornings, the cast and crew of the story of the week would discuss the pros and cons with the studio audience and ask the viewers to vote.
Every week, the studio audience will discuss the episodes and the phones will be thrown open for the public to vote. Viewers can begin to vote for each story starting every Monday. At the end of six weeks, the viewers are presented with a synopsis of the six stories during which the voting lines are open.
One winner
The story which receives the maximum support among the public will be chosen to continue as the mega serial in the same time band.
The channel has roped in six production houses, Magickarma, Yantra Media Pvt Ltd, Touring Talkies Mediaworks Pvt Ltd, Sri Shapdha, Manus Visions and Widescreen Entertainment Pvt Ltd, as part of this
endeavour.
Vijay TV General Manager Ravinath Menon said, "'You pick your mega' is a concept that would act as a genuine path-breaking exercise and leave the choice with the viewers rather than imposing run-of-the-mill soap operas. People are tired of regular tear-jerkers and are looking for something different. Maybe a unique concept and story."
Voting mechanism
Viewers can vote for their favourite soap by SMS, voice or Internet. Voting lines for each story would be open from Monday at 8.30 p.m. to the following Sunday at 7 p.m.
A brief look at what's in store:
Aayiram Jannal Veedu
Cast: Delhi Kumar, Sulakshana, Rishi, Muthu, Jeeva, Vinod, Sasi Rekha, Ambiga,
Producer: Sri Shapda
Director: C P Shanmugam
A story that captures the life of four men, caught in the turmoil of a country fighting for its independence. 'Aayiram Jannal Veedu' is an epic tale set in pre-independent India, bringing to life, the woes of men of a bygone era. This period was not only about the nation's struggle for Independence but also the struggle to establish one's identity. The young men and women in this story bring out the innocence of youth, their love and passion to live. The story about their love, happiness, hurdles and the survival of their friendship through the hard times. Shot in brilliant locations in
Chettinadu.
Meendum Oru Kadhal Kathai
Cast: Devadarshini, Yugendran, Kaushik, Deepak, Saravanan, Aravind, Sangeetha, Preethy Srinivasan, Gayathri
Producer: Widescreen Entertainment
Director: Chetan
College , the most cherished and memorable days of one's life, is lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life as a group of friends lose touch with each other; when they meet again after a few years, have things changed or do they still live in the past, forms the essence of this gripping tale woven deftly; a story of urban life and untold love.
Sollathaan Ninaikiren
Cast: Anu Haasan, Sitara, Brinda Das, S P B Charan, Vijay Adhiraj, Gautham
Producer: Manu's Vision
Director: Manobala
The little secrets of our life, which we never cared to share. Our little desires, our little decisions that have changed our lives beyond recognition. This is a story of three women who do certain things in haste, changing the course of their life forever. A famous singer, a mother who gets back to work after a few years and a teenage girl who is confused by the sudden emotions of adolescence. The strength, the weakness, the opportunity and the tests of these women are portrayed brilliantly.
Madhurai
Cast: Senthil, Sajina, Vadivukarasi, Thennavan, M Ramaswamy, Manochitra
Producer: Touring Talkies
Director: Gerald
Youngsters who meet each other in various circumstances come to know through the course of life that they are indeed family and that definitely blood is thicker than water. How the younger generation of a family brings together the elders who have split and gone different ways over a family feud forms the plot. A web of emotions that can be seen only in the heartland of Tamil Nadu. The life of people whom time has never touched. The story brings to life the way people live in the small villages of south India, capturing their culture, their emotion and essentially their essence of life.
Thevar Koyil Roja
Cast: Bala, Bala Singh, Shilpa, Sajitha Bedi
Producer: Yantra Media
Director: Robert
This is a gripping tale about the life of a thief. As the narration swings from the past to the present. The past, dark and bloody with the murder of Mayan, the thief, the Robinhood of the village. Years later, in the present, Mayan is back to haunt the village much to the shock of everyone. Has Mayan risen once again, does he avenge his death, can one's past catch up with the present? A hair-raising thriller of death and drama set in rural backyards of Tamil
Nadu.
Menporul
Cast: Aravind, Afroz, Archanna, Justin, Shyam, Abbas, Yuvaraj, Thanuja
Producer: Magic Karma
Director: Charles
Rural naiveness meets corporate craftiness in the drama series titled 'Menporul'. An endearing story of a small town girl who dreams big. Set in a BPO, 'Menporul' captures the dreams and desires of today's women in corporate India. The price that the young corporates pay for living life in the fast lane.
R Rangaraj
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